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?
bgexotics, are you sure you don't have any financial aide left? you can borrow up to $31,000 in loans for your undergraduate education. i had to petition with my school since i exceeded the 150% SAP sandard, but since my first bachelors degree didn't apply to my nursing degree, it was approved. My job offers tuition reimbursement too and the $3,000 a year will cover all my tuition, but they only pay if you get a B or better. So I'm paying up front with stafford loans and then immediately paying them back when my job gives me the $$.
Thank you all for your replies! I see quite a few of you who worked in the health field while in nursing school, but did anyone work in a non-nursing/health related field?
I worked as a maid and caregiver in a house to an alzheimer patient (my old man). As i had migratories problems i couldnt apply for federal aid. I paid my AD working very hard.
I worked full-time in a non-nursing field during school, a job that was willing to flex around clinicals. It was not a particularly stressful job and one that I was pretty good at :).... the down side was that I didn't get the experience that would have been valuable later on down the road.......but it was how I was able to pay the bills. You do what you gotta do. Good luck!
I worked the during my entire program. My school told us at the beginning that we shouldn't work but I had no choice. I worked about 24-32 hours a week and overtime during breaks. Was it easy, no, however it didn't kill me, and my grades were fine.
During the last quarter our instructors encouraged us to start finding jobs as PCA's so that we could get our foot in the door places. This really didn't work for many students because not many places wanted to hire a PCA that was going to leave in a few months. Those of us that kept our jobs now have promising job opportunities, those that didn't are really hurting.
Specializes in Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.
I worked part-time in non-nursing related jobs, 15-25 hours a week all through my 4 years of college. Looking back, I really had no life but there were bills to pay.
i'm going into my 3rd year. so far i've been working on call at my highschool job in a kitchen throughout school. i worked once/twice a month on call during school, then most of reading week and all of summer. i've been trying to get a job relative to nursing with no luck.
In September I will start my 4th (out of 4) and last semester in an ADN program designed for working people. All prereqs were done in advance. We have classes in the evenings and our clinicals on Saturdays (8 credits a semester). I work full time in an administrative job. It is really tough, you have to clear you calendar, explain to family and friends that you are not available for the most part when school is in session and put all of your time and energy into work and school. I also have to thank my wonderfudl and supportive husband! One more time and I will be finished, God willing!
Just wanted to say that I did work while I was in nursing school. Matter of fact I worked 2 jobs the whole way through. Im one of those people that when you say something cant be done I find a way to do it and in my situation no working was not an option. It was hard and I thank god everyday that my husband and family were so patient, but yes it can be done! :)
The day I started nursing school, my preemie baby was released from the hospital, took 90 minutes to feed him and he ate every four hours, I had an 18 month old and a 4 year old in pre-school. I worked every weekend as a waitress to give us spending money for diapers, formula and the needed 6 pack on occasion.
My husband, god love him, took half the shifts at night plus a full time day job. I look back and wonder how, just how we did it.... but we were young, didn't know better and worked our behinds off to get where we are. We gave up so much to get me through school. ... but it payed off..
we both work full time jobs, but our salaries provide for us nicely, only my oldest remembers struggling through the process and has been good for her to see that when you work hard and sacrifice... good comes out of it..
My nursing degree with three babies was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and we're reaping the rewards now.. good salary, good benefits, and an understanding that you have to WORK hard for what you want in life and give up so much in the process to get there, but the end is great.
RNperdiem, RN
4,592 Posts
I paid for all of my schooling with a weekend CNA job and I picked up extra evening shifts as my schedule allowed.
We all have different situations, so there is no simple answer to the question of working.