Is it possible to work part time while in 1st semester of Nursing School??

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Aug 15, 2006

I am a married mother with two sons aged 16 and 9. I quit a full time job back in January to attend nursing school full time..I finally got in !! I am considering taking a PRN job at an assisted living facility ( less than 24 hours per week) as a caregiver and I am also starting my 1st semester of nursing school. I wouldn't consider it, but I really need the income. I don't want to compromise my education or bite off more than I can chew..becoming a nurse is VERY important to me. Any suggestions?

You can do it. working at night will give extra time to study. At assisted living facilities, the workload is lighter, so that may help too. If you go PRN, that will also give you the freedom to be off to study for tests.

MizDnurse2b · Aug 15, 2006

Thanks for the reply! I'm going to talk to the HR person tomorrow. She said she would work within my school schedule.. I just hate abandoning my husband and kids. I have spoiled them. They are just gonna have to hang in there for a little while. My youngest is in 4th grade, so they are all old enough to fend for themselves I guess. ( dinners, homework, etc.)

shellsgogreen · Aug 17, 2006

i think it's entirely attainable....sounds like the ideal job also, considering it's prn...i'm also thinking that the job will nicely complement what you learn in the first semester.....

i worked a lot my first semester, and all through the second - i just made a point of managing my time well

good luck!

Bala Shark · Aug 18, 2006

I think 16 hours should be the max...24 hours a week that is three days..

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Aug 18, 2006

In my experience, 20 hours/ week is the general limit. Anything more seriously interferes with the student's ability to keep up with the rigorous demands of nursing school.

RN and Mommy · Aug 20, 2006

It is absolutely doable. I worked 24 hours/week the whole time I was in nursing school (at a hospital, 12 hour shifts, weekends). Good Luck!

danyell0178 · Aug 20, 2006

I am a single mother of a ten year old boy. I have been a full time nursing student for two semesters, Im finally a senior!!!!! I have also been working a part time job. I found a place where I can work prn . I usually work 16 hours on Fri and Sat. Its very hard but worth it. I believe that if you put your mind to it, learn to ask others for help. ( I had a hard time with that one) and remember to take care of yourself you can conquer all....

traumaQN · Aug 28, 2006

I currently work in assisted living, and it is the perfect job to have while in school. Especially if you work in the evenings, because everyone goes to bed fairly early (like 7pm) so I have a lot of time to study..

melbrown · Aug 28, 2006

Trust me it is totally possibe. i found out that i was pregnant 2 weeks before starting my first semester in nursing school. I had to work 32hrs/wk to keep my insurance and continued to work and school a weekk past my due date. During the second semester, I had to have an emergency c section. then returned the next week to finish out he semester. Went back to work 8 weeks later and continued to work 25 hours a week until graduation which i finished with honors. So it is possible. You just have to keep focused and do some serious time management. And remember that the agony will be sooooo worth it in the end.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Aug 31, 2006

Trust me it is totally possibe. i found out that i was pregnant 2 weeks before starting my first semester in nursing school. I had to work 32hrs/wk to keep my insurance and continued to work and school a weekk past my due date. During the second semester, I had to have an emergency c section. then returned the next week to finish out he semester. Went back to work 8 weeks later and continued to work 25 hours a week until graduation which i finished with honors. So it is possible. You just have to keep focused and do some serious time management. And remember that the agony will be sooooo worth it in the end.

WOW! Hats off to you.:mortarboard:

NaomieRN · Sep 7, 2006

I am working fulltime and going to nursing school part time. The first semester is the same amount of work as with fulltime students. It is all about time management. I have everything planned out so far.