...So working & going to NS is out of the quest?

Zen2B · Mar 14, 2011

I'm in my third semester and so far have kept working full time (3 12's also). It's not easy, but it can be done. :)

chinacatSN · Mar 14, 2011

That depends on what your school schedule will be like and how flexible your employer is. If they're willing to reimburse, they obviously want nurses so they'll probably be flexible but who knows. You need to talk to them about it.

Many people work and go to nursing school. You probably won't be able to work 12 hour shifts or work full time, but you could do part time.

You need to tell your employer that you've applied to NS and ask them about scheduling and everything. Find out exactly what they're willing to do for you. Then, once you get accepted, you can figure out your class/clinical schedule and collaborate with your employer to figure something out.

And, if you can survive working three 12 hour shifts on a busy unit, you should be able to survive NS and working part-time.

sbostonRN · Mar 14, 2011

I have about 10 weeks left of nursing school and I've worked full time throughout the program. My employer is very understanding and gives me time off when I need it, and my school is understanding that many of its students work full time. I work 5 8-hour shift a week in a hospital lab. I say give it a try for a semester - if it's too much, hopefully you can cut down your hours.

Emilynn09 · Mar 14, 2011

I work three 12-hour shifts as CNA at a hospital. I applied to NS and I'm still wondering if I'll be able to keep my job once I start nursing school. The hospital will reimburse for every class/program we take.
I work in extremely busy units, and at the end of the shift my feet are aching. Will I make it through nursing school and working?

It's possible. I don't work because I don't have to, while I think it would be a good idea to network and get my foot in the door somewhere, I personally don't think it's worth risking my grades and giving up valuable study/ personal time to do so. I know a lot of people in my program who work, but I have also noticed that the students who work are the ones who get lower grades, they still pass, but they aren't A or B students.

It all depends on you, and how much you can handle.

Thirdwatch · Mar 14, 2011

Thanks for the advice! My unit's director allows us to pick our own schedule. Right now, I work Friday- Sunday (my choice of schedule).

I don't really need to work while in nursing school, but I feel bad leaving my job knowing how busy...and in need of us it has been.

I'm going to try keeping the 3 shifts the first semester, and elimitate one shift the second semester.

Thanks for the advice again!

K nurse-one-day · Mar 14, 2011

I'm in a very similar situation. I just got hired on at a hospital for overnights a few weeks ago. My schedule is 3 12's one week and 2 12's th e next week (so 5 shifts in 2 weeks) and my manager was aware that I'll be starting ns in a few weeks. I don't need to work full time but I want to work a little to get my foot in the door and to help with school expenses. My hospital has maDe it clear that I will not have the option of switching to part time or PRN. The thing that worries me is that I have a spouse and 2 small kids. Having time with them is still a priority, so if the workload gets to be too much, and they won't let me cut hours down, then I will resign my position and maybe come back later. If something has to give, school and my kids are 1st. But I'm definitely gonna try it. Best of luck to u!

One1, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2011

Anything is possible, the question is what YOU can handle. You have to find out how much you can work during your school program while still being successful at school and staying healthy. And yes, it is possible to maintain As and Bs and work while being in nursing school, as evidenced by quite a few of my costudents' grades

JenniferSews · Mar 15, 2011

my school is understanding that many of its students work full time.

This may be a key component. My school was so against students working that many of us never admitted that we did. But the result was that didn't have jobs while we were in school also had no jobs when we graduated. Some are still looking from Dec 2009. If you were having trouble (and with a 50% failure rate who wasn't?) they held working against you when you wanted to repeat a semester. The end result though was a 100% NCLEX pass rate although some of those grads are STILL looking for work. Those that worked as CNA's and had an inside to jobs were hired first.

Thirdwatch · Mar 15, 2011

The nursing program has clinicals in our hospital, I'm often showing the students/instructors how to use our equipment.

I don't know if working there would be a problem with the scope of practice. I'm a CNA there and I don't if coming back on my days off as a student.. and doing assessments, med administration..and other assignments as a student would be a problem.

I'm worried now!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2011

Yeah you should do fine.

CuriousMe · Mar 15, 2011

Whether YOU can work full time and go to school full time, really depends on you. How much time will you need to learn all the concepts you need to learn, what other outside responsibilities do you have?

I will say though, if you don't HAVE to work, then I'd at least drop a shift or two a week and work part time.