how many hours do you work while in nursing school

cmm4ever · Jul 16, 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!

"If you cannot afford to go full time without working, don't go!". Did you mean dont go to school full time if you cant afford not to work? I dont know how other programs are, but the one Im looking into (already on list), you have to go to school full-time.

Iâ™¥Scrubs, LPN · Jul 16, 2012

I start in September as a full time student. Classes are M-F 8-2:30 and some clinicals from 6:45am-1pm with one being from 1-7pm. I plan on working mostly on weekends and maybe a few hours during the week. Like working 4-8 one or two nights a week. I work as a Pharmacy Technician, and the person I replaced was going through nursing school while she worked there as well. She was in an accelerated 18month RN-BSN program, I am doing an 11month LPN program. I hope to work about 10/15 hours a week. I also worked while I was at a state university for a different major so I have faith I can do it :]

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

The thing that *always* amazes me about these threads on working while in nursing school is the fact that no-one seems to discuss the school's attendance hours as they relate to the issue of working. The BSN and ADN programs in my area require that you be available for clinicals from 6am start time to as late as 10pm end time M-F. I need to work, but I don't know of any job that will accomodate that. Even noc CNA positions I've worked in will not fit in those hours.

Are there CNa positions in which people's employers accomodate a changing clinical schedule? My jobs have said they will not allow a person to start late or leave early.

I assume other areas are different, though...

If I can fit the work hours around my clinical schedule, I'll do it. But, even the 2 vocational schools I've contacted need my to be available from 6am to 4pm....I can't work a noc shift with those hours!

Auggh!

/Vent over/

luixbeauty · Jul 17, 2012

My class in Mon 8-5 Tue 6-230 Wed 1-920 Thur 9-11, 12-230 skills lab. Fri 8-11, 12-230 skills lab. When am I supposed to study and work!? Yikes, I suppose Th/Fri will be good study days. I'll have an hr in between lab and then after 230 i'll have more time. My savings will run out in December so I'll have to get a pt time job sat/sun or maybe since I've already paid for my books, my financial aid and the help of my lovely boyfriend will help me squeak by....but just barley! I guess there is no way to tell how things will go until you start class and get a routine down... Good luck my fellow lvn/lpn students, it will be a long year but well worth it!

Feel free to vent! :madface: