Did you work while in nursing school?

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I asked this question on the pre-nursing student board, but I have a feeling it would make more sense to ask the question here.

I know that most people recommend that you do not work while in nursing school, but I also know that there are those of us that have no choice and have to work.

So I'm asking those that did have to work, how did you manage? Any suggestions to those who have to work while attending nursing school?

Thanks!

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Hi there!

Yes i worked......all the way through. I worked aged care and did weekends and night duties. I used breaks on nights to study. When i look back now i don't know how i did it.......... but if you have no choice...... you just do! And i truly felt that working in that field helped me........ i would see things and relate them to things that i was learning about!!!!!

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Yep, had to pay the bills. I worked 2 twelves/week; every Sat/Sun.

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Specializes in Tele/Cardiac.

I worked 2 part time jobs plus 3 kids. Organization and knowing your own limits and strengths will be the key. I was very lucky to have 2 employers that worked with my nursing schedule, looking back not sure how I managed but didn't really have a choice.

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My best friend is in nursing school and holds a full time job as a unit coordinator/PCA in an emergency room (7am-7pm three days a week... every other weekend) and is a single mom of two. If she can do it, anyone can :-D

I'll also be working full-time at a mail-order pharmacy (230-11pm with Tues/Sat off) while attending nursing school. I'm following the full-time curriculum plan but knocked out everything except nursing before I start so I won't be taking more then 2 classes at a time (avg 6 credit hrs/quarter).

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Worked full time nights as a LPN and went to school part time for my RN. How did I manage? lol The house went to heck, ate a lot of fast food, relied on my husband to pick up the slack, whined alot. It was hard, but worth it. I took each day as it came. But I had to work and pay the bills.

You just had to be determined, make some sacrifices (i.e. dirty house) and organize well. :)

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I worked 2 12's every weekend as an LVN but thankfully was called off due to low census many times :) It worked very well for me and I could relate what I was learning in school to real life.

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

I had to. No kids back then, but was self-supporting. I worked .6 (24 hours/week) on a med/surg ward as a HUC/NA (combination position) and later in school, as a tele tech. It was great experience and I wouldn't have passed on it.

I had most of my prereq's done and was able to do my ADN about 3/4 time though.

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Specializes in orthopedics, telemetry, PCU.

I worked two jobs while I was in school, one as a nanny after school three days a week, and for the last two years, as a PCT on a telemetry floor. I think the experience at the hospital was as valuable as anything I learned in class preparing me for clinicals, and my first nursing job. The other job, while not healthcare related was great for helping me learn time management. \

It's definitely possible, and I would go as far as to say that it gives you an advantage. Good luck!!

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I worked two jobs while I was in school, one as a nanny after school three days a week, and for the last two years, as a PCT on a telemetry floor. I think the experience at the hospital was as valuable as anything I learned in class preparing me for clinicals, and my first nursing job. The other job, while not healthcare related was great for helping me learn time management.

Agree completely. I worked as a PCT/MST before starting nursing school to make sure that really was what I wanted to do. I learned SO much and saw SO much that will be so valuable to me in my nursing career. I would highly recommend getting some PCT type experience as soon as possible to anyone pursuing nursing.

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Thanks Mamacashew for asking this question because right now I am sitting here wondering the same thing. I was just accepted into nursing school in Birmingham, AL. I have 4 kids(one in college and surviving off school loans/pell grant), 2 in middle school and one in elementary school. I am the only one working (I work @ home for an ins co) but they have refused my requests to allow me to go part-time and/or split my shift. I feel like I have no choice because I am NOT going to give up the opportunity to go to nursing school. SO thank you all for the insight.

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This is encouraging. I just got accepted to an ADN program and will be working full time. My employer offers tuition reimbursement for full time employees so this is how I am paying for school. This is my second degree, so I don't have any more financial aid available. Luckily I have a very flexible research job with alot of downtime that allows me to study. I managed As in my pre-reqs including microbiology, so I am hoping to keep them up since a DNP is my eventual goal.

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