How many of you worked during school?

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Im trying to decide if financially I will have the option. I could always get a loan but i dont know if I want to deal with that. So how about it?

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

3 jobs, 2 kids under 6 and a LOT of sleepless nights-care plans and writing projects. Was it worth it. Yes I think so although striving for all As was too much.

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

I lived with my parents, took out loans and grants, worked 8 hrs/week during the school semesters and worked full-time in the summers. My family did not help with my schooling costs too much (an occasional book here and there while i waited for my grant money). I didn't have to worry about rent or groceries but paid for my own cell phone, car insurance, gas, credit cards, etc. I was able to manage fine, a BSN degree cost me about 18k in student loans but I still have some of that money left in savings now and think it was worth gaining the experience I got from my nurse extern job.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Yes. I had bills to pay like rent and a car payment. Fortunately didn't have to take out any loans.

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Specializes in Level III NICU.

I graduated nursing school when I was 21, so I was still lucky enough to live at home. I worked as an aide in a hospital for a semester, and then I decided since I'd be working in healthcare for a long time after nursing school I wanted to get a "fun" job. So I worked at Starbucks. It was very fun, and kept me caffeinated for all those late night cram sessions!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I went to school five days a week and was a single mother of three. Saturday morning I got up at 4 to get my kids ready to go to their father's and then was at work by 6AM. Worked until 12AM, come home, went to be and got up at 5 to be at work by 6AM. Worked until 12AM, went home where my kids were sleeping in their beds, talked with the ex about the kid's weekend and got to bed by 2 or so. Up at 6 to get the kids ready for school and daycare to be at school by 8AM.

So, working thirty six hours on the weekend and in school full-time with three kids in age from 8yo- 2yo. I'm not saying it was easy, but it can be done if you really want to.

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I worked full time as an EMT while going for my RN. I had no choice. It wasn't that bad though.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I worked full time nights the first 3 semesters delivering pizzas, the fourth semester i worked 12 hour night shifts every Fri and Sat nights as a tech at the hospital, my final semester was in the summer which was a shorter semester, I had 3 classes to focus on, I had to take out loans to live on think I worked one shift all semester. I found it too difficult to do. If I didnt need to work I wouldnt have either. Good luck with your schooling.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

3 kids, hubby and a dog-worked 20-24 hours a week as a CNA, then Nurse Tech. Lucky enough to have tuition reimbursement at work, never took out a loan for school.

Worth it to graduate debt free!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I work full-time (3 12 hr shifts, 7p-7a) and am also a full-time BSN student.

Unfortunately, I do not have much of a choice about working while in school. This is my 2nd Bachelor's degree and so my financial aid is almost gone. At this point, I'm surviving through alternative loans and working (working just covers my monthly expenses).

I would highly advise that, if possible, avoid working through nursing school. My BSN program is very demanding (writing papers, putting together case study presentations, attending lecture, going to clinicals several times a wk, finding time to study for exams that are scheduled every other week).

On a positive note, I feel like I'm gaining alot of experience as a float PCT (nurse tech) in the hospital. However, I know I would be retaining alot more critical information if I had more time to dedicate to my studies.

Oh well, that's life. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger...:bugeyes:

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I was fortunate to have a nice bit of money that was left for me from my grandfather when he passed away. My parents stuck it away for me and I used it through school, plus with their help as well. I dont know how people work and go to school but I would say about 50% of my class did it. I would say out of those 12 or so half didnt make it. Not saying that was the reason but if you can get away with not working or working very very little do it!! Better to be poor and in some debt then flunk out and miss your shot at your dream. Good luck!

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I don't advise working full time while you're in school, but I would hate to think that anyone is missing out on all that experience just because "it's hard to work and go to school at the same time". So work 2 days a week then! I cannot stress enough how much I learned, and how much easier nursing school was for me with all I had seen and done at work. Seriously, I didn't have to study nearly as much as some of the other people in my class because the lectures made sense to me already. I was able to associate what I was learning in school with what I had done or seen at work, and it was all so much clearer to me. Again, I would advise against being a full time employee and a full time student at the same time, but part time, do it! And summers, too! I did 2 days a week during school and full time in the summers, and it worked out VERY well for me. Plus, when I graduated, I already had a foot in the door, and didn't even have to apply for my first nursing job because I was already working there.

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Specializes in ER.

I worked 3 twelve hour shifts a week on weekends and went to school full time while raising my Kiddo. And folks wonder why I take naps all the time now that I'm out of school. :D

It can be done.

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