Nursing School and working

Published

Hi everyone!

I would like some input.

I got accepted into nursing school and I begin in a couple of weeks (yay!) I waited TWO years for this to happen (theres a waiting list here) so for a good year all i've been doing is working. I have been working almost a year at an assisted living facility...I love my job and I am getting some good experience here but I do have a problem. I told them months in advance that I would like to work only weekends once I begin school but they are already showing me signs that they probably won't be flexible for my school schedule. I know in a week or two i'll find the answer to all of this but right now a lot is weighing on my mind.

My school is a far drive (a good hour or so), i'll be spending a lot of money on gas alone. I did save up a lot of money for school but I know that will run out fast. I still live with my parents but I would HATE to have my father pay for my gas or other expenditures, thus is why I would like to work part-time. I did have a talk with my family saying that my work might not be as flexible as I once thought and they told me not to worry about it, and that school comes first. But, and even though I am only in my early 20's, I still strive to be as independent as much as I can be but at the same time I dont want to put nursing school on the back burner...I didnt wait two years to not make it my priority.

So, i'd like some suggestions. Is working more than 2 days (16hrs) too much during nursing school? or if it was up to you, would you try to work more to keep a job you do like.

Right now a lot is up in the air for me when it comes to my job and its making me nervous since school is approaching closer and closer.

Any words of advice or even just encouragment would help me so much right now :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I understand that you love your job, but as you said you've worked very hard to get into this program and you have to give it your all. If your current job won't let you cut down your hours, then I'd find a part time job. I'm in the online program so I can work more the first semester but some of my friends who are doing on campus are also working as well. I think 16 hours a week is doable. But thats my opinion. If you can, save up as much money as possible or work a little extra before school begins. Once the program starts, let your employer know that you won't be able to work because of school and you can support yourself with the money you saved for the time being. This way you give yourself time to experience the program. That'll tell you whether or not you will be able to do 16 hours a week. Everyone is different.

Hope that helps! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

I worked 24 hours per week ( picked up extra if able) and have a daughter and son that I had to run here and there and everywhere. You learn how to adjust. I would study in the car while dd was at girl scouts. Do nclex questions while she was at dance. Study on breaks and lunches.

I have a friend that worked 40 hours during school. It is hard but not impossible

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiothoracic, Peds CVICU.

My micro teacher's former student, who is an RN now, came into class last semester to talk about her experience in nursing school. She told us it's basically impossible to work. I got freaked out by it, but from reading a lot of the posts on this website about working and going to school, I don't think it's that impossible. I'm going to nursing school next yr, and my grandmother will be helping me out with money. However, it's barely enough to make it thru 2 yrs. I'm going to work part time to give myself a comfort zone. I think it's doable. You just need to have excellent time management skills and not have much of a social life!! =) I work right now so the social life part is pretty much gone for me because I'd rather have good grades and a full night's rest. LOL. But honestly, I think it's possible if you set your mind to it. It just depends on how much YOU can handle because hey, working and going to school isn't for everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

i would not work more than 20 hrs. you say you love your job but they aren't being flexible with you. i would do what will benefit me in the long run, and that would be to accomodate my nursing school schedule. 16 hours is great. currently i work 20 hrs, maybe in the future i can knock of some more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked part time. Usually 10-20 hrs a week. But you need to have a supportive employer. My situation was that even though they knew when I was in school they began putting me on for times when they knew I could not be there...saying that they did it because they really needed me. It didn't change the fact I wasn't going to be there because I was literally still sitting in class, or driving back from clinicals over 25 miles away. Bottom line is ..you won't know until you are there. Some people in my class worked full time. Of those ONE is graduating. That says something. I would wait to see what you can handle, what your paperwork load is and how difficult your particular program is for you. I actually quit my job in June. Planned to leave at the end of July but the scheduling issues were causing me more stress than school was..so I decided to leave earlier than planned.

Save every penny you can until then.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the same predicament. I dont know which route to go. I start the program in the fall August 16,2011 and i dont know how many hours per week to work. This entire summer i been working two jobs to save money and actually pay for my nursing expense such as shoes, stethoscope, background check and all the other required documents. I am quitting one of my jobs as a cook this week my other job is at a local hospital 30 miles from home i am a nurse tech on the Med Surg floor i love my job and the experience i am getting but i don't know how hard Nursing School will be and how much i can handle. However, i need to work for gas money and cellular bill. I still live at home with my father. This is like added stress before nursing school lol i will figure something out. Im thinking about just working weekend and nights because i will have some study time at work on night shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I believe that the answer to this question is based on the particular school you attend. From being all AN, i know that many people work while in school. However, at the BSN orientation for the school I am planning to attend, they told us that we won't have time to do anything except go to school. If I were in your shoes, I'd seek out advice from someone who has been there done that in your nursing school to find out how they managed work and school.

HTH!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all the comments! I really do appreciate it :)

My job says they'll be flexible for me and that I can pick any day and shift that I want. They said they do not want to lose me :) So I picked weekends only for graveyard ( i have mondays off from school). I'll see how it is and if it gets too much then i'll leave but for right now i'll be working part-time and going to school full time. I am excited but nervous lol :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

one thing is for sure, you need to get you a voice recorder and record your notes/classes and listen to them in your car, that gives you a free 30min a day study time and great for last minute review for test on way to school. its great to lay down, close your eyes and listen to your notes rather than burn your eyes out reading all the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
one thing is for sure, you need to get you a voice recorder and record your notes/classes and listen to them in your car, that gives you a free 30min a day study time and great for last minute review for test on way to school. its great to lay down, close your eyes and listen to your notes rather than burn your eyes out reading all the time.

I was going to recommend this exact same thing. It's going to be very hard having to drive an hour to school all the time, but utilize that time to your advantage. Re-listen to the lectures so that you are more familiar with the material. One thing I didn't see brought up is the fact that, working in a LTC facility, you will most likely have an RN job lined up when you graduate. Right now it's hard to find work without any experience and you've already got your foot in the door. If it's at all possible I would recommend staying there at least part time for that reason alone. Obviously if they won't work with your schedule and you have to choose between the job and school you should choose school, but avoid that decision as much as possible.

On a side note, I understand you wanting to be as independent from your parents as possible, but it's AWESOME that you have that support. A lot of nursing students are married with kids or, even harder, single parents. You have the advantage over these students because your parents are so willing to help you out. Don't abuse it, but if school and work does become too much, appreciate and use it if you have to. It'll be much better for you AND your parents in the long run. Your parents will probably get just as much satisfaction from you finishing school successfully as you will.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I think 16 hours a week is doable. I try not to work no more than 24 hours a week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment