Did you work while going to school?

Jules A, MSN · Sep 18, 2008

Hi,

If your job will schedule you around classes and clinical there is no way I would quit! I also had a good job and didn't think it made any sense to lose close to $100,000 in wages over the 3 years it would take me to get my degree. I'm too old to ever make that up, lol, and quitting to "focus on school" is over-rated, imo. In an odd way it might have helped me because I never had the luxury of putting off starting work on projects or studying. I graduated among the top of both my LPN and RN class. Go for it. Jules

destiney · Sep 18, 2008

Yes. But I did not work any more than 2dys a wk, and sometimes that was hard. Some times even 1day. Nursing in general takes up alot of time. In nursing school you've got to prepare to make adjustments in your life. It will pay off later

Solid Snake · Sep 19, 2008

I talked to my aunt, who is a retired RN, and one of the people pushing myself into nursing. She says she will support me if needed through school. I have assets from my dad I will take and liquify some of them for rent and gas while I am in school.

Becoming a nurse is something I have to do, I like the company I am at but netting $1000 a month isn't good in a city where most rent starts at $1300. I am looking at a 1 year LVN program, probably American Career College.

Practicalone, LPN · Sep 19, 2008

For 4 years I worked part time as a CNA @ a local birthing center. They were great about working around my school schedule, then when I got into the PN program, they put me on Friday & Saturday nights. We worked 12 hour shifts & there was nights that I was able to get all my hw completed, and still do my job. Then again there were nights that no hw got done. I had no other choice than to work, with a husband,& 2 kids, we had bills that had to be paid. And if I didn't work even though it was only about $800 a month income for me we would have not made it. It totally depends on if you can afford to quit. If you are the type that can fill out for scholarships & that then try that to help make the difference up. And find out if you could qualify for pell grants. Once in the program my life was non existant. I saw little of my family but was able to make sure I was able to pick my kids up from school 2 times a week & be there for them & my husband, which was hard at times. Good luck to you, If I could do it, any one can. I was never a great student & I still managed to pass with a 3.5 average. :wink2:

ladyarawin · Sep 20, 2008

I work part time for staffing agency that been good to me, they work around my school hours. Even tho only weekends and some short evenings on days I have morning clinicals. Its hard to work and study but surviving. Had been thinking about quiting school due to money issues but I only have 2 more terms to do and when I look ahead I know I am bettering myself. Work as a Nurse aide for 23yrs. this old body can't take the hard lifting and I don't want to change career. Luve the medical field.

me

Sensoria17 · Sep 20, 2008

I have 2.5 more months of LVN school. I didn't work. I cashed out my 401k to cover living expenses. I probably could have worked part-time but I feared burning out after working full-time and going to evening classes for many years to obtain a BA. Many people in my class work part-time but aren't doing well. They pass but barely. There are a couple that manage to get Bs.

skwlpn · Sep 20, 2008

I worked through LPN school. Much depends on the type of student that you are. I worked full time in the ER of our local hospital as a tech. I didn't make a million dollars, but I made enough to live on and the experience (both the environment and the access I had to experienced nurses and doctors) was worth a million. I watched and assisted with procedures and saw things I haven't seen since then. I gained a vast amount of knowledge from that time. It enhanced my schooling. Because they were understanding of my education, they were also eager to work around my schedule at school.

I am with Jules, BTW. The "focus on school" thing is over rated. I still have books that have the plastic on them...never opened. I just didn't find the need to study that much.

Even working full time, I graduated among the top of my class. I also have a husband and 3 step-kids at home.

If you can find something like I did, consider it school that pays both financiially and, more importantly, in experience.

Best of luck to you!

SarahRN123 · Sep 20, 2008

I was very lucky I didn't have to work when going through LPN school but I did work full-time while getting my RN through Regents.

Solid Snake · Sep 21, 2008

Changed my mind again, gonna tough it out at community college. To me, paying $30K for classes I can get for 1/10th the price isn't smart, I can wait:pumpiron:. Just going to take the minimum amount of hours. I was giving up before even trying.

I will keep my job as long as I can, when I get to the clinical I can think about going full time, we will see though.

patience_care · Sep 21, 2008

There were very few people that worked in my class and if they worked it was part-time. There is a lot of studying involved in Nursing school so if you have to do it you are going to have to be very organized and manage your time effectively.

Butterflybee · Sep 21, 2008

Yes every single night (except weekends) the graveyard shift. Some of us would literally run like crazy after clinicals to make it to work. Most if not everyone in my class worked. Close to the end, some worked less hours. But hey some people need to work. Study study study and study some more is all a person can do. Forget sleep and most all the insignificant things and youll be fine. Oh also, I was in the top 3 in my class with almost a perfect GPA. It took alot, I gave alot period. So it is doable and Im no spring chicken.