CNA & Nursing School

barcode120x, RN, NP · Jun 8, 2016

Yes! I had many classmates and friends that worked as a full time CNA. I've also had friends that had part time jobs that were basically 40 hours a week that still went through nursing school and did fine. Some of the CNA's on my unit are working full time and in nursing school. It's tough, but it's totally manageable, just don't expect to have too much free time on your hands.

Mamasalsera · Jun 8, 2016

Yes! I had many classmates and friends that worked as a full time CNA. I've also had friends that had part time jobs that were basically 40 hours a week that still went through nursing school and did fine. Some of the CNA's on my unit are working full time and in nursing school. It's tough, but it's totally manageable, just don't expect to have too much free time on your hands.

Thank you so much! That puts my mind at ease.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2016

One of my classmates has been working as a full time paramedic since the 1st semester; we are heading into the fourth semester this coming fall. Another one of my classmates works at UPS full time. Both of them are doing well grade wise. That stated, both had to make adjustments to their work hours as required, putting school first. If your place of employment will work with you so that school can come first, then go for it.

hellokidney · Jun 8, 2016

This depends on SO MANY factors. Your particular school, the semester you are in, where you work, which shift you work, your support system, etc... The list goes on!

I definitely attempted to maintain 24 hours a week as a CNA (two day shifts on the weekend and two 4 hour shifts on Thurs-Fri), but almost lost my mind. I decided to prioritize nursing school and quit after the first month of nursing school. Probably could have been possible if I had been doing a job where I could have studied for at least part of my shift. Half way through nursing school, I was able to start back up again because my last half of nursing school was much easier than the first!

Know your limits and don't try to push them!