Did you work while in Nursing school?

allnurses Guide · May 19, 2009

Yep. Worked three twelve hour shifts on the weekends, so I had all week to go to class and study. It would have been nice to have weekends free to just relax, but alas I just had to wait until breaks and holidays and such. Yes I think it would have been easier if I hadn't worked, but I didn't have any choice but to work.

student00 · May 19, 2009

I worked the first year but as school became harder and my stress level went up, I went supplemental (I work at a hospital) and work minimal hours. I surveyed many nurses about what they did and very few worked.

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · May 19, 2009

yep I watched monitors in CCU. I went to school allday, clinicals, and when my clinicals were on 3-11 I worked fridays and/or nights .

snowyRN · May 19, 2009

I worked full time 40hrs/wk and it was hard!

drgnflydggr · May 19, 2009

I just finished my first year of an ADN program. I worked .5 first semester and .4 second semester. I was lucky enough to be at a hospital on a floor where the director allowed me to work 3-11 on Tuesdays and 7-3 on Saturdays. I didn't have any problem working that schedule and attending school. I still found time to see friends and spend time with my family. I think it all depends on how you approach school and what type of student you are. I don't require much out of class study time. Listening to a lecture and reviewing the powerpoint for 15 mins before the test worked well for me. Best of luck with your decision and in school.

kup6 · May 19, 2009

I have one year left of nursing school. I have worked up until now part-time doing home health and am now starting to work full-time on a medical oncology floor. I think it is a good idea to work and go to school for a couple of reasons. One, to actually be around what you are talking about in class and also to get your foot in the door in a couple of places.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · May 19, 2009

Worked 40 hours a week(I was a surgical tech before) during Nursing 1, and only missed an A by two tenths of a point..I had heard that Nursing 2 was difficult for many so I went down to 32 hours a week with some call shifts on the weekends. .I worked 32 hours a week for the rest of school and graduated with honors..Sorry if that sounds like bragging, but I still look back on that time and wonder how I pulled it off!

Yes, it would have been easier not to work, but then again, I didn't owe anything when I was done. :yeah: I support myself, so I didn't have a choice about working.

JanisM · May 19, 2009

I'm still studying and I work part time as an aged carer as well as being a single Mum. It's hard but I don't have much choice, and I'm getting some experience at the same time.

tyandgil · May 19, 2009

Along with many of these others, I also work 3 12-hour shifts a week, I just recently sold my hair salon but still do hair 2 days a week, & go to nursing school. I also have 3 kids I take care of. I work at a hospital who lets me work weekends only, so it helps me during the week with school and my hair job. It's hard at times, :banghead: but I just keep thinking that it's only a couple of years and when this is all over with, I will be able to support my family and have more time with my kids when they start getting active in school and sports. It also helps if you have the support of family & friends. Best of luck to you! Need anything, give me a holler!

JanisM · May 19, 2009

When things get a bit stressful I just keep telling myself "I AM going to be a nurse- it's all worth it." It might sound a bit silly, but it usually makes me feel a bit better.

NurseKatSteeZ · May 19, 2009

LVN program, No I didn't work while in school because my parents supported my then 19 year old self 100%. But once I'm in the RN program, I'm sure I'll work as an LVN PRN. Everyone is different. Some can do both work/school, while others can do school only.