Is it possible to have a part-time job?

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · May 5, 2008

I didn't work as an LPN student, but my husband did and we were poor. I went to work as an LPN and worked full time through my ADN program. I didn't make the highest grades possible, but I passed.

Several years later, I did a bridge program to get my BSN, working part-time with two small children. I had a high GPA because I wanted to go to grad school. I did get in, and went through a Master's program also working part-time with two young but school-age kids.

Had a high GPA there too.

By the way, there were 6 of us in my particular graduate program. Two of us continued to work. We'd been told that "you won't be able to work and do this program." You'd be surprised at what you can do when you have to!

nurturer · May 5, 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!

Good Golly Miss Molly!!! You are amazing! :bow: My 3 kids are teenagers now, but I remember when they were little....I had twins too and their older sibling was only 2 years older than them....I can't even comprehend what it would be like to go to school full time AND have kids those ages. You've got it together. I'm completely impressed!

fUsi0n86 · Jun 20, 2008

I currently work as a waitress at a restaurant. I usually work Mon-Fri 11AM-4PM and every other Saturday. I know it is going to be hard to have a job as a nursing student, but is it at all possible? I really need the income. There's no way I can just quit my job. I'm thinking about cutting it down to 3 days a week including Saturday and working the night shift (there are 2 shifts, 11-4 and 4-8). What do you think?

Can you get a job at a hospital? Look into Security or Patient Service Representatives (admitting). I see those guys all the time doing nothing, especially night shift. Plenty of time to study and that's what some of them do.

Jules A, MSN · Jun 20, 2008

Can you get a job at a hospital? Look into Security or Patient Service Representatives (admitting). I see those guys all the time doing nothing, especially night shift. Plenty of time to study and that's what some of them do.

Maybe lol, but the OP would be making pennies compared to what I'm sure she is bringing in as a waitress.

whodatnurse · Jun 20, 2008

Yes!

Honey...you are 18 years old. You have teenage stamina going for you.

Now keep in mind, depending on your particular financial circumstances, you may have to adapt your timetable for when you want to finish. There may come a semester when you have to scale back your courseload. There are loads of people who get all their general studies completed before applying to the ADN program at their school so that they then just take the nursing courses.

You can do this. All it takes is a desire to leave no stone unturned to find the resouces you need to make it happen.

heartnurse2be · Jun 21, 2008

When I went to my 1st year orientation one of the instructors stood at the podium and said that if any of the students worked they had only a 37% chance of passing - I promptly went home and cried my eyes out. Working for me is not an option, I simply don't have any choice in the matter lol, it's either work or starve.

You can do whatever you set your mind to - I work about 70 hours a week at two different jobs and did so throughout my 1st year, clinicals and all. I got A's in every class I took (except A&P, bleh, in that I got B's) and will continue working through my 2nd year.

I don't talk about it much because I get these pitying looks from the girls in my class, but I figure you do what you have to do and just go on... It's really all about prioritizing and organization, which I really think since you're considering nursing you should definitely have anyway or you won't make it in a job.

Is it fun? Nope. Would I work if I didn't have to? Heck no! But there is a sick satisfaction you will get when you realize that you're doing better than the people who aren't working and have all that time to study...