Is it possible to have a part-time job?

Jules A, MSN · May 4, 2008

I worked a minimum of 30 hours a week while in LPN and RN school and did just fine. I've often wondered why more people don't waitress or bartend while in school because the money you can make in a few shifts is way better than most part time jobs. Good luck.

guy_nurse · May 4, 2008

I also worked 30+ hours a week as a fabricator / welder at the company that I have been at for 19 years. No, it's not any fun to go without sleep etc. I do notice that when I talk to other nurses and the subject of working during school comes up--they find out that I still work 30+ hours a week, the conversation is over-they don't want to talk about it (I assume it is because they didn't want to or couldn't).

In my case I am making as much welding as I will be initially as a RN; so it is kinda hard to just walk away from that money with a mortgage, car payment(s), kid etc.

lemonaidangel · May 4, 2008

There is no way I could have worked and still maintained a passing grade my first semester. Too much stress! But this term is better, not as much going on. I feel like I can breathe. I even allowed myself to get a part time job. I work as a manager on duty at a local video rental store. It hasn't hurt me so far. I guess we'll see what happens after finals this week!

Jules A, MSN · May 4, 2008

In my case I am making as much welding as I will be initially as a RN; so it is kinda hard to just walk away from that money with a mortgage, car payment(s), kid etc.

This was my case also income-wise and no way was I going to live off savings or take out loans at this point in my life just so I didn't have to juggle school and work. I know others disagree with me but there is no such thing as "good debt" if you can avoid it. Yes it was hard but I didn't feel like I had another option.

FWIW I went to school with a girl that took out loans so she could quit working even during pre-reqs. Anyway she ended up wracking up $50,000 in debt and failing out in our last year with nothing more than a CNA certificate to show for all that. Imo $50,000 in debt added to the $120,000 worth of income I made in the 3 years I was in school adds up to far more than I am willing to lose just to "focus on school". :)

RNMeg · May 4, 2008

I'm through my second semester, and I've continued to work throughout nursing school. I work for an optometrist, and my manager has been really flexible with my schedule, which definitely helps (she doesn't schedule me during finals week, tries to give me one day for myself on the weekends, things like that). It's definitely been do-able for me :clown:

NursKris82 · May 4, 2008

First semester I worked only weekends due to the busyness, but since I've worked about 30 or so hours a week. I think the biggest thing is flexibility. In my program they tell you when you go to skills and clinicals and lecture and so on. So, it's important that your employer is flexible- you're going to have to arrange you life around the school's schedule and it will change each rotation. If you have that, you'll be fine, otherwise you may have a problem. Example- you're scheduled to work every Tues. from 4-8, but 3 Tues, this semester you have skills from 4-6. Or you have found out you have clinicals of Thurs and Friday, so you work Mon- Wed., but orientation is scheduled the Wed before your first day. Additional things like PA Testing, study groups, community service and those kinds of things. However, mostly you'll get a schedule at the beginning of class and they try to stcik to it as best they can.

NewmanFamily6 · May 4, 2008

While I do not work outside the home I am going to school full time with 4 kids (11, 7, & 5 yr old twins). They are a job in and of themselves:redbeathe I have learned to study at soccer, ballet, baseball, and basketball. I am up late and up early everyday. I have so many people in my class that are working and attending. A few even work nights and manage to get there for our 8 am classes. I think its all manageable if you want it bad enough. Everyone has something else going on other than school. Good Luck!

JenniG48 · May 4, 2008

I was able to work usually 24-32 hours per week, depending on what we had going on at school (both my LPN and RN years). I usually cut my hours back around finals. Thankfully, I have a job and an employer who let me set my own hours. I also had 3 small children at home and a husband who works outside of the home. I do know others in my class who were able to work close to full-time and some who were able to work weekends...I also know of some who couldn't work at all. A lot will depend on your study habits and retention of the material (plus your ability to function on fewer than 8 hours of sleep at night and still practice safe care and be able to critically think). I will say it would have been a lot easier if I hadn't had to work, but I did (pesky little things called bills). On the positive side, I graduate on May 10 and take my RN boards on the 15, so it can be done. Good luck to you.

WDWpixieRN, RN · May 5, 2008

I think each program is a bit different....my CC only attends class a few hours each day with the exception of clinical days.

My daughter was getting ready to start a CC that attends 8 - 4:30 FIVE days a week. Good heavens -- what do they DO all that time?!?!

In my program, I know of at least 3 moms who worked full-time during the program. Probably at least 1/2 of our class worked better than 20 hours/week. One thing that helps is having a job where your schedule is somewhat flexible and you have VERY understanding managers who will work with you during finals, for the night before a test, etc.

Good luck!! You can always start out with the job and then slack off or add hours as you see it working out.

Someone pointed out those first weeks of stress....if I could leave you with a few words of advice as a graduating student:

DON'T let yourself get freaked out those first few weeks. It's just not worth it. Take everything day-by-day and week-by-week. The students who are in classes ahead of you got there the same way you will....and before you know it, you, too, will be graduating!!

Good luck!!

casi, ASN, RN · May 5, 2008

I'm finishing up my first semester and worked 20hr/wk during all of it. I really wasn't too bad. I just had to give up some of my non-exsistant social life and learn how to schedule my time.

AprilRNhere · May 5, 2008

I worked full time through generals and 20 hours a week once I started my clinicals.