Can you work while in nursing school?

[KaliNurse19, BSN, RN]

Plenty of people told me it's impossible to work while in nursing school, did you work?and if so, how many hours a week?

I'm a single mom and trying to do both.

Thank you for your reply.

[NorthernNurse BSN,RN]

You're going to get all kinds of responses on this topic. I personally could only handle working one 8-10 hour shift per week but I also commuted to school about an hour each way. For my toughest semester, I quit working because I had 45 hours/week committed to class, clinical, skills lab, and commuting before I even cracked open a textbook to study (which took up another 25-30 hours/week)... I just couldn't handle it! None of the students who successfully completed the program worked more than 2-3 days per week, and most people can handle working at least 1-2 days per week. I've heard of students who said they worked full time and went to nursing school but this was certainly not the case at the school I attended, at least I've never heard of anyone being successful at it within my program. Honestly, it will depend on you and what you can handle. I think it's really important to consider that the more you work, the faster you will burn out especially with your other responsibilities at home. Good luck!

[Jules A, MSN]

It definitely depends on the person, their unique situation and their discomfort threshold. I have a high discomfort threshold so I worked approx 30 hours a week through LPN and ADN programs, more for my BSN and graduate because they were so easy. My commute was a fair distance to school but I didn't have any kids in the home which definitely made it easier. For me the kicker was when I added up the money I would have lost by not working during those years. The amount I made during my LPN/ADN was around $125,000 so at 40 years old I wasn't willing to take that kind of a financial hit. Good luck!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Depends on the type of person you are. If you have great time management skills and can buckle down when needed yes. My daughter is in her junior year and works 20 hours per week. She is still making good grades and manages to see her friends also. But then again she has no other responsibilities since she is at a college. If you have kids then you have to have a good spouse who is going to step up.

[AliNajaCat]

If you have excellent and inexpensive daycare (often an inherent contradiction there), maybe. Otherwise, a very tough row to do everything you need for school and child(ren) without shorting something in what ends up being unacceptable and unsustainable.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I worked 16-24 hours a week during nursing school. Luckily my CNA job had hours that could be worked around my school schedule, and especially weekends, plus I worked per diem. During holidays I could increase my hours, and when school got busy, I would schedule fewer shifts a week. Living with my parents made this possible.

My sister worked full time weekends and nights as a tech in a psych facility. It meant losing a lot of sleep and wearing scubs 7 days a week between work and school, but she was young and childless and graduated debt free.

For you, childcare will be the biggest factor. The kind of jobs you can work during school are not the ones you can easily use daycare for. Evenings, weekends, irregular schedules make finding childcare difficult.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I worked 24 hrs a week until my final semester, and I had a new baby. I didn't have a choice, as my husband didn't always make enough to support us alone.

[cleback]

Depends on you and the school.

My undergrad program would schedule labs and community events last minute (ok, they may have given us 1-2 weeks notice) and required attendance. It would be difficult accommodating that with a work schedule and daycare (I saw you are a mom). I went to a university with mostly traditional 18-22 year old students so it wasn't really an issue for us like it would be for older students. Personally I would ask the nursing school advisor and maybe a student or two there to see what the culture and expectations are for your school.

But all in all, it's very doable. Good luck.

[Jules A, MSN]

Personally I would ask the nursing school advisor and maybe a student or two there to see what the culture and expectations are for your school.

In my experience they will say absolutely NOT as it is in their interest to have you focused solely on school. From their perspective it makes sense because grades can suffer if someone is unsuccessful at this juggling act.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I did not work while attending an LPN/LVN program.

I worked 32 hours per week as an LVN at a nursing home while attending an LPN-to-ASN transition program full time.

[randybrandy]

I've worked 10 hours per week. But I quit my last semester.