Are you going to work while in nursing school?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Just wondering how many people are going to quit their job once in nursing school. I would like to work as long as possible to keep my skills up. Plus I don't want to quit my job if I'm not guaranteed a job once I graduate.

I plan on working less hours, possible 10-15 hours once I get accpeted to nurisng school.

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I'm currently work 2 jobs (35 hrs at one and 8 hrs at the other) and am starting an accelerated BSN program in May. My girlfriend and I are expecting our first child in June, and as much as I hate not working, I've decided I'm not going to work for at least the first semester. Depending on the workload (between school and fatherhood), I may decide to pursue a tech or CNA job on the weekends later in the program.

Has anyone taken out loans to pay for expenses besides tuition?

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It really is so individual that it's hard to determine. I'm in an accelerated program and we had a couple people who worked full-time, most had to cut back hours to 20 a week. They struggled through the current 3 week intersession and are wondering how they can do it for next semester and the summer because the course load is very intense. Some don't have an option because their job is paying their tuition AND guaranteeing them a job at graduation (which is a huge incentive!!!), but for those who were working a completely unrelated field (such as myself), just flat out quit and took out student loans to cover living expenses or relied on their significant others...although I do still work 8 hours a week for grocery money. However, if we were in the regular nursing program, most of us would still be working many hours because the course load is a lot less. It's still difficult, but not as intense as a 12 month accelerated. The other issue a couple of us face is the 4 hour round trip commute everyday -- that's 20 hours of our week taken away by being on a train which could be put toward working if need be. So, again, depending on your situation, the type of program you're in, your ability to focus and study, and the length of your commute, you may or may not be able to do it. It's always worth it to try and then determine if you can keep working. If you're a great employee, sometimes explaining your situation to your boss could help -- if you leave on good terms, do well in nursing school, they may be willing to hire you back as an RN once you're done.

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Specializes in PICU.

I applied to the fall 2014 semester and if I get accepted I will quit my full time job to attend nursing school. I don't plan on working until after my 1st semester of NS. I will then work part time 20 hours or less per week. I am very fortunate and blessed to have my husband support my career goals and provide while I attain my nursing degree.

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Specializes in ICU.

I will not. I have been a SAHM the past 8 years. My divorce is now final and since I am a single mom I will have to support me and my son. But I don't want to do something I hate which is why I am in nursing school. I am getting enough from my settlement to live for the next 3 years til I have to get a job.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I currently have to work while going to school. My current schedule is 40 hours per week, every week and has been for the past 12 years or so. What is very nice is that my schedule is Thursday through Monday from 3 PM to 11 PM and I get time to study while at work. Most of the time, this is not a problem because dayshift is when I do school stuff and I usually have enough time to go from school clinical to work without any issues.

Unfortunately, I do not have any other option at this time, and I do not have the resources available that some other people do. Because I already have a bachelors degree, the number of loans available and grants available are very low to nonexistent right now. I am fortunate in that I have some assistance from parents and other family, but they do not comprise the majority of my income while I am in school. The most that I am going to be able to get from them is some assistance during my time off from work while I precept with an RN.

Make no mistake, this is not an easy thing to do. Those of us have that work have to be able to find a way to make ends meet, I have found one way to do it, and I certainly hope that I will be able to find a job quickly after graduation. In some ways,, I actually kind of envy the people that are able to take the entire time off from work. That allows them the greatest amount of flexibility and study time so they can do as best as they possibly can while in school.

I am also very lucky in that I have the support of most of my coworkers, especially 2 of them that are willing to help out during this particular semester. When you have a group of people that are willing to support each other, is very wonderful thing and that is the kind of group of people that you want to work with, by and large. Generally speaking, this particular group of coworkers has been always glad to help each other achieve their goals in life. If I could, I would really enjoy having supportive coworkers like this in my future careers. I hope you'll find people like this in your careers as well!

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Specializes in PICU.

I forgot to mention that I do have 3 kids( ages 16, 4 and a 1 year old) so that is a full time job in itself :)

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No choice here. 3 kids that don't feed themselves :p 13, 5, and 3. Wife is a nurse too, but we weren't expecting me to lose my previous career to the economy, so we have bills to pay. It's all good. I've been working since I was 12 (20 some years ago) and I'm not skeeered.

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Like most of the previous posters, I don't have much of a choice. Even though my husband has a good job, it's not enough to support us AND pay for childcare that we would need if I'm in school. So my job, though part time (20 hours), pays that and some additional bills. So to put myself through school I will need to work PT. Thankfully only PT though. I don't think I could do nursing school working FT, especially with a toddler! I know it will be hard and wish I had the option to focus just on school - but we do what we have to do to get where we need to go!

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Absolutely. And now I'm more sure than ever. I didn't realize that when I graduated with my Bachelor's degree that Florida cuts your Bright Futures funding. I am in Micro and sociology now and begin the program in May. I will have to pay out-of-pocket. Luckily, my employer pays six credits a semester (not including summer), but there are rumors that this benefit may be reduced/cut.

Also, while I'm certain you'll eventually find a job, it does seem to be difficult for those who aren't already in the medical field. A friend of my graduated in the top 10 and passed her NCLEX the first time (doesn't mean too much but it is something to show) and it took her about three months and over ten applications to get an interview.

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Yes! I currently work part time though , so I will work for my first year in nursing school , but if things get rough then I will quit my job...gonna try it though! I hope to get into nursing program this fall 2014. :)

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I think it depends which one you go to. For example, I've applied to universities for nursing and where all incorporate clinical placements and theory into the program on a 50/50 basis; one mixes it up in the week eg. on monday you could have class, tuesday placement and wednesday back in class etc. Whereas another does 7 weeks teaching followed by 7 weeks in placement. So yeah, I would say it depends on the nursing school

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