How do you balance work and school.

SPNbabe08 · Aug 9, 2009

i worked 20 hrs a week to pay for our health ins while i was in school. and that was very difficult. you have to figure youll have 3 hrs of studying a night. i was in a 10 month full time program. if money is an issue, borrow more on your loan to help with living expenses.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 9, 2009

I always worked full time and went to school full time thru multiple programs. My kids have ranged in age from 5 to 17. Just like in nursing, we have to prioritize: my house wasn't always super clean, we might have take out pizza for dinner, I might have gotten my car's oil changed every 5000 miles instead of every 3000 - you get the idea. To think everything will get done is usually not realistic.

ZanatuBelmont · Aug 10, 2009

They say it's suicide to work full time and be in a nursing program, but realistically, there are those of us who need to work to be able to go to school (not to mention LIVE). I've found a part time day program at a local CC that I'm hoping to get into, but for those of you who work full time, how do you balance your schedule? Do you make it to your classes/work on time? When do you find time to study?

Many students in my program borrowed the full amount in stafford student loans to pay for their living expenses. If you are in a 12-month program at a community college, you should be able to swing $350/month on basic needs, and just work part-time @ 16-20 hours per week to make up the difference.

If you are a single mother without much outside family support, you may have to tough it out and work 40 or more hours per week. It is possible, as many in my program did it. You have to sit down and organize your time on paper and then stick to it. There is no other way; only option is to be organized. If not, you'll fail out.

cheertt2 · Aug 10, 2009

Has anyone done that (take out loans to pay for living expenses such as rent, car note and insurance?) I feel like I will need to do this because I will still have these expenses when I go to nursing school. I plan to go to an accelerate BSN program, so I would not be able to work full-time. Can someone share their experiences with this?

prettyindecent · Oct 31, 2009

I've been doing that now. I decided to work part time and do a full time program, because in the long run, the sooner I have a good REAL job, the less we will struggle (mind you, I do not have any children). You are legally allowed to use your student loans for transportation rent, etc...whatever it takes to keep you in school, and I've had to do it before. Just remember you still have to pay it back eventually.