Nursing School. Did you work?

[ana86]

Hi. I want to hear how you did it. I've worked since the age of 16. And like to know that I pull my own weight...and then some. I have been working on getting my pre-req's for the last 4 years and I finally applied & got accepted into the RN program. I'm 27 now btw. I should be happy, but I am worried about having to depend on my fiancé to take care of my 6 yr. old daughter & myself while I do the program for 2 years. People strongly advice not to work while you go through the program....Did you work through nursing school? Or did you live on Top Ramen for 2 years? Or both?

[sbostonRN]

I worked full-time throughout my ADN program. My work was flexible and let me leave early for exams and clinical prep, as long as my work duties were finished on time. I had clinicals on every other weekend so I never needed to take time off. My job was such that I could bring notes and studied during downtime for exams, so they definitely made it easy for me to succeed. I took about 10-12 credits at a time and worked 40-45 hours per week.

Now I'm in an RN to BSN program and still work full time. It's a lot harder working as a nurse even though the credit load is less. So it's all in how stressful your job is and how flexible they are.

[Madras]

I work two jobs. I'm in a full time program, semester 4 of 5.

Friday and Saturday I work overnights in an OR. Great thing about it is I use that time to study/do homework if there are no trauma cases for the night.

Week nights I do physical exams/vaccines/flu shots etc at fire houses. It's flexible so I schedule as I want. During weeks where I have tests I'll just schedule to work the evening after an exam and subsequent days.

My programs is is full time, right now class and clinical fall Monday through Thursday. It can get pretty hectic!

Oh yea and I have a 5 yr old little man. He likes to sit and read while I study. We have family dates once a week (any day we can). This past Saturday after I woke up we had a Disney movie marathon complete with popcorn and s'mores then I was off to work again.

My boyfriend picks up a lot of responsibilities. The best nights are when I get home and kiddos homework is done, dinner is cooked and he's bathed and in bed. It helps to have a great support system.

Nursing school really is a family effort. Schedule your time wisely, study smarter not harder and be good to yourself and loved ones and it will whiz by.

Wow can't believe I'm almost done

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Yep. I worked F/T while going to nursing school P/T. Turns out my family had gotten used to a roof over their heads and food in their tummy =)

[theantichick]

As a mid-life career changer, I worked 50-60 hours a week as a computer programmer while I went to school for my ASN. While I wouldn't recommend it if you have options, if you don't have options know that it can be done. I didn't make straight A's (graduated with a 3.36) because I just couldn't find more time to study. But with a mortgage, a car payment, and a teenager as a single parent, I didn't have a choice. Now I work full time as an RN and am doing my bridge for my BSN and it seems like nothing compared to what I went through for 2 years for my ASN. It was sheer heck and my kiddo now begs for "real food" (I still haven't gotten back in the habit of cooking) but we survived.

[CrimsonTideRN2B]

I am in my first semester of nursing school and I am working 3 jobs, not by choice of course. I am successfully passing 3 of my 4 classes. My 4th class I am riding the line between passing and failing but hopefully I will be able to pass the class. After being in class, I wouldn't recommend anyone working unless they just absolutely had to.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I worked full-time year-round at a call center when I was in nursing school. To be honest, my grades suffered. If I'd been working as a CNA, things might have been different.

[MDS3]

I work 12 hours per week and juggle 18 credits this semester. I think working while going to school depends on what you are like. I thrive off being busy. Even though I get tired, having so much to do keeps me on track.

[Tina, RN]

I worked part time all through nursing school. It was tough, and I envied my classmates that didn't have to work. But, it's possible!

[moxie827]

I worked two jobs and made time for my husband during my 2 year RN program. Time management is key.

[soxgirl2008]

I work 24-36 hours a week (I work 12 hour shifts..2 to 3 days a week) and I'm in my 2nd semester of nursing school and have gotten all As and Bs so far. It's definitely possible, but like others have said management is key. I'm in school alllll day Mon-Friday and then I work 12 hours on Thursday and Friday and usually a weekend day as well. It sucks, it's stressful, I have no life, but it is what it is and it can be done.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

I worked during the majority of my BSN (except for the first year) per diem as a nursing assistant and part time approx 15 hours/week as a desk receptionist at my dorm. Thankfully I had help from my parents who paid for the majority of my undergrad education. In the summers I would work 36-40 hours per week as a nursing assistant.

I worked full time 40 hours/week Mon-Fri 3-11 for the first two years of my MSN program at my previous employer (SNF, sub acute rehab floor) and 32 hours/week 3-11 on my current med-surg transplant unit for the final year of my MSN program. It was difficult, but do-able. I am proud to have finished my MSN without incurring additional loans ontop of the ones from my BSN. I paid for it fully out of pocket/with tuition reimbursement from work. I admired my classmates who worked full time and took care of little ones/family. I don't know how so many of you do it!

[copeRN]

I didn't work during the last semester, but I did during the rest. and I know a lot of people who had kids and worked. You know, maybe working on a floor part time as a tech would be something to consider.