how many hours do you work while in nursing school

mintygirl · Jul 12, 2012

Some have absolutely no choice to. They have kids, live alone and must make a living to support themselves, this is usually the drive and props to them that do. Except not everyone can hack it. Some do, some don't. I know my cousin pretty much had her Father put her through nursing school, while some of her friends weren't so fortunate.

cmm4ever · Jul 13, 2012

Just wondering ppl tell me u can't work more than 3 days a week

I was wondering the same thing. I wrote another post about my concerns etc. Um I got bumped into a different position within the hospital I work in and I really dont know my newboss too well. I was trying to sit down and figure something out but its hard (and I dont even know what my work will say). I have no choice if I do go for LPN but to go fulltime M-thurs. Also wanted to find out about per diem but its hard enough as it is financially!

HopefulLPN83 · Jul 13, 2012

I'm ending up moving in with my parents during my time in school and they aren't requiring me to help with anything. But that's not the type of person I am.

I am currently not working but there is a call center position opening up where the guy I'm seeing works. They have different shifts which is very convenient. It is full time which somewhat concerns me but I figure with the time I'll choose to work (10pm to 7am) I'll have enough time to rest/nap/sleep/study before class at 11:00am and then be able to study/rest/nap before work again.

I guess you have to figure out if you actually are capable of being able to work full time. If not and you need to work, then maybe looking for a part-time job would be best.

Good luck!

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2012

It can be done, but it's hard. I finish this month & I worked less than 10 hours a week while in school. Fortunately for me, my boyfriend agreed to let me quit working while in school & he supported my 2 childen & I. I was able to get Pell to pay for 2 of my 3 semesters, and my Pell refund was enough to pay for the 3rd, including all my books & there's enough of it left to cover my nclex costs. Then, I used my tax refund to catch up on some bills. So, my only out of pocket school expenses were my uniforms, supplies (stechascope, scissors, pen light), and the costs of my background checks & physicals. It was tough for me trying to balance school & family, so I don't think I'm one that could juggle working full time, too. Some of my classmates did manage it, and quite a few cut back on their hours. Good luck!

ejm123 · Jul 13, 2012

21 a week - single mom - live with my parents - he goes to daycare

cmm4ever · Jul 13, 2012

Just wondering ppl tell me u can't work more than 3 days a week

I guess everyones program may be different amount of days etc. so I guess that has to be taken into consideration.

tiffdawn86 · Jul 14, 2012

I work 40 hours a week off on saturdays :) Just finished the first week today. My job is amazing I am a cargiver for two disabled gentlemen and they are fully functional so there is a lot of down time for studying.

luixbeauty · Jul 15, 2012

My program starts in August. It's M-F. My schooling is paid for but I have to worry about my bills. My boyfriends helps but I think I am going to have to work on the weekends....Not sure how that's going to work out since i'll be in school M-F and working when I should be studying. Plus it's super hard to find a job where I live. I'm a CNA and have not found work since I moved to a rural area two years ago...My fear is I will get kicked out of the program because I wont have enough time to study.

WahineMakai · Jul 15, 2012

I am extremely lucky in that my husband is fine with me not working at all while I'm in nursing school, but I do want to keep working part-time (probably 2-3 days a week, if possible). I want to keep some aspect of normalcy in my life as well as have an excuse to leave the house and not keep my nose in books 24/7/365. Balance is important!

nekozuki, LPN · Jul 15, 2012

I work two jobs and do a full time LPN program, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. If you cannot afford to go full time without working, don't go! Go part-time or start taking community college classes. Why? Because you're a human being, not a robot, and most people simply can't do it. It isn't about intelligence or being a "person who gets things quick" (which EVERYONE thinks they are before they start nursing school). It's about getting the most out of your education, succeeding and mastering the skills necessary to not kill people once you get out on your own. This isn't a quick stepping stone to a recession-proof career; this is the duty to care for someone at their most vulnerable and protect life.

I do very well in class, but I'm also the only person left who works. :\ Honestly, if I were a running an LPN program, I would not allow students to work. Sounds harsh, but the program I'm in is now in jeopardy of being discontinued because so many people insisted on working, then failed out several months in, making the pass rate suck (even though our NCLEX passing rates are phenomenal and post-grad employment is great). There is a reason the majority of people who support working through nursing school haven't started yet.

Most people who work more than 25 hours a week will fail out or quit, even though they want this just as much as you. Do you really wanna roll the dice?

Now, all finger-wagging aside, if you've already made up your mind, good luck! People have done it before, you can do! Stay tough, and most importantly, stay sane!

micronurse2b12 · Jul 16, 2012

If there is any way possible to not work while doing this program, I would highly recommend doing so. I work two to three nights a week. I basically just make enough to pay for my gas and monthly tuition payment. I wake up at 640, go to class from 8-4, drive an hour to work, and then work until 1230ish the next morning, repeat. I am in an accelerated 11 month program but yes, I think if possible, focusing on school is the best thing.