Does your school discourage you from working?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi Everyone.

I just had an appointment with my advisor to register for spring semester classes and get my mid-term grades. She wanted to know where I was working now and how many hours. She then wanted to know how many hours I was planning to work next semester. She made a huge point of telling me that I had a big commitment to the program and I should work as little as possible. I have all A's this semester so I don't think she's worried about my grades suffering. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this attitude in their program? Unfortunately, being a single mom, I don't have the luxury of not working.

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I am in an ADN program and it is assumed that most students will work, which they do. I can understand if you are in a BSN program and they don't want you to work because the workload is heavier (more credit hours).

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I am in a BSN program and they encourage us not to work more 20 hours a week. I have to work full time though because I go to a private school and need money for tuition and books! Next semester my schedule is crazy, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I wasn't born into money! :)

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For the college I am planning on applying to, it says right in the course description that working more than 8 hours per work will jeopardize your success in the program due to the amount of work you will be doing.

scary stuff I say!

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The program I'm applying to just began a part-time program for those of us who have to work full-time. Obviously it will take longer to complete, but I'm a wife and a mother, so anything less than full-time work isn't an option. There ought to be more programs such as this available.

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The program I applied to is an accelerated one, and they don't say in so many words "don't work", but it's very clear that they prefer you don't, at least if you go full-time. There is a part-time option for those who do, though.

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.

I'm in a BSN program and they discourage us from working more than 20 hours a week. Many of my classmates do not work. I work about 12 hours a week and feel like I still don't have enough time for everything. I worked a lot more while taking pre-reqs and it wasn't a problem. The nursing classes just require more time and attention.

Everyone is different, but if your advisor is suggesting a limited work schedule, then you should probably take her advice.

Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I'm in an ADN program and they stress over and over that if you can manage, don't work. They start telling you this the year before you enter (when you are turning in your application). About 25 of the 40 students in our class don't work, the other 15 work, most part time. 2 students in our program work full time and are doing okay in the program, although they are exhausted. I WISH I could work to help my family financially, but with my husband's weird schedule (he works night and sleeps during the day, 5 days a week) and having 2 small children, it's damn near impossible and any money I would make would go to paying daycare.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

At our school, every student is required to work a labor position at the college, even nursing majors :p but it is only a 10-15 hour a week commitment. that can still be hard sometimes, though!

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I am in an ADN program and they discourage us from working. I work 24 hours a week and don't find it to be a problem. It actually provides me with a happy medium to get my mind clear and off school for a few hours a week. Besides, if I weren't working those 24 hours I would be sitting at home worried sick about everything. The instructors don't pay me bills either.

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I was looking at an accelerated BSN program and they said if you plan to work, even part time, we will not accept you into the program. You have to write an essay explaining how you will support yourself financially (ex. husband, parents, savings) during the 14 months of the program and have a detailed plan for daycare and daycare backup.

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Specializes in CICu, ICU, med-surg.
Originally posted by LauraLou

I was looking at an accelerated BSN program and they said if you plan to work, even part time, we will not accept you into the program. You have to write an essay explaining how you will support yourself financially (ex. husband, parents, savings) during the 14 months of the program and have a detailed plan for daycare and daycare backup.

Woah, they're not kidding around when they tell you not to work! I've never heard of a school doing that, but I suppose it's in the school's best interest for their students to do well.

Out of curiosity, what school was that?

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