Are you working in the final two years of your BSN program? I don't want to...

I'm wondering if anyone is working while in the final two years of their BSN program.

I've been planning for 2 years now to stop working once I'm in my junior year. This is my second career and school will be FT starting this fall. What I've heard is school is until about 4 PM Mon - Thurs. And then most students study each evening.

My employer has offered for me to be part time from home through the end of nursing school and then quit when I graduate. If I do this, I would have to put in time each evening and then a full day on Fridays and at least a half day one saturday a month if not two saturdays.

I am already stressed because I have three kids and a husband, we are moving right before the program starts and I really wanted to be a CNA while in school if I do work because the experience and networking will help me get a job once I graduate.

The issue is that I told my husband I was offered to work part time. The wheels started churning. With what I make, nursing is going to be a paycut. So of course he would love for me to work while in school because it would cover day care for my two girls and then some.

I don't think I can handle the schedule or the stress of it. I told him this, but I can tell he isn't 100% supportive when he says I can still quit.

Do any of you work?

Hey...

Just wanted to let you know that it's very admirable how you're finding time to switch careers when you're alread established with hubby and kids!

But to answer your question... I work as a CNA part time (3 nights 11p-7a) in a hospital and have another job during the afternoon in a PT office when i'm not in class. I'm in my final semester of a two year accelerated prgram. It is doable! you just need to find a balance. Working at night, I have time to study and do homework sometimes since patients are (supposed to be!) asleep.

I know its hard to fit everything into a day but with how competitive it is to get nursing jobs once you graduate I think if you can get into a network (even if its part time!), that will help a lot.

Hope this helps a tiny bit! and good luck!

I don't know. Truthfully, I have kids and a husband and I think its very hard. I don't work and I still struggle with keeping up at home, staying ionvlved with my kids and not feeling too guilty, and doing well in school. A lot of girls in my class work pt and maybe a few ft but they dont have kids or a house to care for. If you can make it w/o working my advice would be to not work, but thats just me.

yes. it is doable. I worked fulltime up until my last semester, and now I am considered part time doing 2 nights a week (7p-7a). Where there is a will there is a way! If you don't have to work. Don't! That is one regret I have. I wish I would have cut down on work a very long time ago!

thanks for all your replies. I'm not sure what i will do, but i know what i want. And i don't want to invest time in a non health care job i am leaving if the alternative is a much lower paying job but a chance to get experience and meet nurses and hiring managers. it seems hard enough to get a job after graduation from what i've read, so the lower pay might make up for itself if i have an RN job sooner because of experience/networking.