Any tips from those who work fulltime during nursing school?

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2011

Not having kids will help. Don't get pregnant if you can help it.

It really depends on what kind of job you do and what kind of hours you can work.

I think it's easier to work fewer longer shifts, because then on days you don't work you can focus totally on school. It might just be me, but I think it's unrealistic to expect to work and then study after work. I guess some people can do it, but I cannot.

Also you might want to use your vacation time during really busy periods, such as around finals.

theantichick · Nov 4, 2011

I have to work full time as well, I'm in my 2nd long semester of an ASN program. I'm divorced with a 14yo kid and a few critters. The ONLY way I've been able to do this is: my kiddo is pretty self-sufficient, and even will help out around the house if paid; my employers are INCREDIBLE about working around my school schedule with a partial work-from-home arrangement and the most flexible hours I could ask for (I'm in IT); and I read quickly and with good comprehension. I also think it helps that I was a Paramedic (even though that was years ago) and so *some* of the lecture material is a review for me and a lot of the clinical stuff is easier.

If any of those things were different, I don't think I could make it. As it is, I got about 1/2 way through this semester and really fought to not just say "stuff it" and quit.

It's NOT easy, but it *can* be done. Forget any notion that your house needs to be clean, and get used to frozen dinners unless your BF cooks. Realize that there will be times when it seems impossible, and all you can do is plow ahead.

Best of luck!!

reygrjr · Nov 5, 2011

I worked full time during nursing school.....my instructors knew about it....some saw me changing for my work clothes at the parking lot after a long day of clinicals. I agree to one of the comment here, being single helps. I had had my associate degree in nursing last year...and I continue to work full time as an RN while doing a RN-BSN Bridge program to one of the university here in the Bay Area. This is not an online class, this is a traditional classroom instruction for RN-BSN and I am graduating in 6 weeks. The only down side though was your social life.....I rarely go out with friends anymore....not by choice but that's how your work &school schedule dictates. It is manageable... You can do it! If you have strong support, financially, morally and spiritually....that would be awesome.

WishingAndHoping · Nov 5, 2011

I worked full time during nursing school.....my instructors knew about it....some saw me changing for my work clothes at the parking lot after a long day of clinicals. I agree to one of the comment here, being single helps. I had had my associate degree in nursing last year...and I continue to work full time as an RN while doing a RN-BSN Bridge program to one of the university here in the Bay Area. This is not an online class, this is a traditional classroom instruction for RN-BSN and I am graduating in 6 weeks. The only down side though was your social life.....I rarely go out with friends anymore....not by choice but that's how your work &school schedule dictates. It is manageable... You can do it! If you have strong support, financially, morally and spiritually....that would be awesome.

Congrats on graduating soon! You are very inspiring. Did you tell your instructors at the start that you work fulltime? I work in a hospital, and my work schedule is monday through friday, arranged around classes and labs. I know it'll be rough getting through the week, but I'll have weekends off to study and read ahead.

And kids are definitely not in my future during school (or ever most likely) ha. I'm not looking forward to ob clinicals next summer. Anything else I'm fine with, but not L/D. I was a vet tech for several years, and even there nothing bothered me except delivery.

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Nov 5, 2011

My pre-made frozen meals saved me. I do laundry while studying on my day off. I keep my kitchen and bathroom clean, the rest of the house I never get to see much of anyway. I only go out with friends after big tests, keeps me sane. I switched to a position at work that allows me to study a little during my shift. Its less money but time is so valuable and I get to do patient care and learn from RN's. I made sure I mastered care plans so I wasn't spending all night doing them. I pre-read before school started and when we have a break a read ahead. Get everything done before you start, like oil change, doctor/dentist appointments. I ordered an extra set of uniforms for next semester, I know it sounds crazy but I don't have time to wash them in between clinicals; we have two clinicals and a lab day each week next semester so I need three.

Get rid of any guilt, there is no turning back. nursing school doesn't last forever. A good support system is a must. Take a day once in awhile to recharge your batteries. Eat right, sleep when you can. Don't give up there are lots of us doing this, we can do it.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Nov 5, 2011

You'll get through. I'm in third semester and have worked full time the whole time. Fortunately, my job is also very flexible in when I get my 40 hours in. This semester it's been work or school seven days a week. But it's a finite amount of time. I miss seeing my family as much as I would like, and studying is a bit of challenge at times. But when there's no other option, you just do it. Time management is a key, and for me, accepting that I'm a B student and that's okay. Good luck.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Nov 5, 2011

Hi WishingandHoping,

Congratulations on getting into nursing school!

I worked fulltime as a LVN during my RN program.

My advice

1. Don't do it.

lol but other than that....

2. Schmooze with seniors and graduates of your nursing program. Find out the best ways to study for your classes. I am NOT recommending weaseling your way through nursing school and merely memorizing the right answers without fully understanding the concepts. However, there is an art to knowing what your professors want, their style of questioning, their preferred verbiage in care plans etc. Dedicate your study time to fully understanding the concepts and minimize the amount of time and points wasting trying to find out the nitpicky details your professors want.

3. Do not discount financial aid and scholarships. I applied for FAFSA and a couple dozen scholarships despite having no provable financial need since I work fulltime. I got some pretty sweet waivers and small scholarships that covered my textbooks.

4. Maximize your clinical rotations. Pick the hardest patients on the floor. I cannot recommend this enough. You know that one patient every nurse on the floor wants to see gone... the combative patient with diabetes, hypertension, bipolar disorder, GERD, Hx of stroke and heart attack, allergies to everything under the sun, restraints, crazy family, diarrhea, raging case of herpes, 20 meds in one pass and in isolation? Take him. Seriously. Your classmates will be on easy street and you'll be sweating your butt off.... but guess what? During test time and future clinical rotations, your choice will pay off. You know what these diseases are. You know what those 20 meds are. You'll be ahead of the game even if you spent the same eight hours in clinicals as your classmates did. In the real world, you don't get to choose your patients based on how easy they are. You might as well get past your hesitations and ready yourself for the worst.

5. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Sacrifice what you can to get as much sleep and eat as healthily as possible. You cannot take care of others if you cannot take care of yourself.

Good luck!

Sowhat105 · Nov 7, 2011

Quit and take out loans, trust

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Nov 7, 2011

I worked full time thru ADN, BSN and MSN programs. Basically, you plan your life around school, not the other way around. You might even have to get another job with more flexible hours. Someplace that is open 24/7 - like hospitals or Walmart. Seriously.