Nursing school and working

2bNurseCai · Aug 22, 2012

I'm right there with you! I'm starting a full time RN program in two weeks while working full time in a nursing home. It's going to be crazy, but I think we can both do it!! :) all the best luck to you!

WannaBNursey, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 22, 2012

I'm in the same boat. I just started a full time night shift at a nursing home and I'll be starting nursing school full time this week. I plan on studying in between work and school and being off the schedule on clinical days. I expect to take a lot of dayquil.

mcguenzi · Aug 22, 2012

I was worried about working part time! You huys will have a full load working full time. Best of luck to you!

Bobmo88 · Aug 22, 2012

I work per-diem tech and I thought a part-time position was going to open up at my work since my coworker got hired as an RN but it's actually a full time position. I start a 3 year (including summers) BSN program next week and could probably work full time during the first two semesters but it

would be nearly impossible to do during the summers since the classes are 5 weeks long. As much as I would like to have a guaranteed amount of shifts per week and a set schedule, I need to focus on school and should stay per diem.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2012

It's different for everyone. How much you'll be able to work depends on how difficult your program is, how much you need to study, what your school/clinical schedule looks like, and how flexible your job is.

I worked all four years of nursing school. First year I worked at a Subway restaurant about 25-30 hours per week, mostly afternoon and evening shifts. Schedule was nice because they could fit me in for short shifts (4 hours or so) during the busiest times, and longer shifts when I had no classes. Second year I worked as a server at a more formal restaurant, which was nice because I had the option to work double shifts on the weekends and I could work later shifts if I wanted to. Third year I worked as a CNA at a nursing home, evening shifts (3-11) 32 hours per week. This was a little more tricky because I could only work on days that I didn't have any afternoon classes/clinicals, and I usually had early classes the day after work. So I'd work until 11pm and have to be at class or clinical at 7am the next morning. Fourth year I worked as a CNA for a home health company 24-36 hours per week. Home health was nice because I could set my own hours for a couple of my clients. I worked some overnight shifts and, when my client was asleep, I could study or do homework.

So minimum, I was working about 24 hours per week every year of nursing school and I graduated with a 3.8. It wasn't always easy. There were a lot of late nights and early mornings and I didn't always get a lot of sleep. But I managed. If you have a job that's willing to be flexible with your hours/shifts, it will make it much easier for you.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2012

My first semester, I worked 40 or so hours a week and it was doable for me. After that I was working a little less and a little less. I'm now in my 4th semester and I am down to about 24 hours a week, as it is all I can manage, as this semester is very fast paced and involves a lot of outside assignments. It's absolutely doable, you just have to learn to manage your time, which I have always been terrible at :)

KatieJ91 · Aug 26, 2012

I currently work 20 hours a week as a nurse tech/extern and it is very doable for me. However, I have no children and my husband's support. I could probabl squeeze in more hours if I needed to, but am very happy with the 20. I am able to have at least 1 or 2 full days off of school. Not neccesarily off from school work, but I get to sleep in and not go to class/work :)

PrettyLady87 · Aug 26, 2012

I'm currently a full-time Certified Medical Assistant working in a dialysis center in NY. My school is in NJ where I live, so I will convert to per-diem for the one year of nursing school (i'm in an ABSN program). Good luck to those who are able to fit a work schedule in. I don't think I can manage to work much at all, being that my 1 yr is really 4 crammed into one (hence "Accelerated BSN").

Doesn't matter, all worth the sacrifices in the end! SO EXCITED, I start Sept. 4th!

skulskcc01 · Aug 26, 2012

Hey nursing students! I will be starting an RN program next week and I am worried about juggling work with a full caseload at school. Right now I have a retail job, but want a job in a hospital or medical type facility for experience. I need to work for financial reasons, I just don't know how much I will be able to handle. I have heared mixed things about working while in the program so I was wondering what your thoughts were.

First semester I worked about 36 hrs a week, second semester about 27 hrs a week, and now I am starting my third semester and I plan on working 16 hrs a week. So far I have done very well in my classes, but I hear the third semester is a beast.

nicoleg4646 · Aug 26, 2012

Omg u guys good luck I started the Lpn program and about to fall apart. I quit my job and living in little income and have 3 boys I am single mother this is very hard. I am doing it all for them. Bet of luck

thenameismac · Aug 27, 2012

It's different for everyone. How much you'll be able to work depends on how difficult your program is, how much you need to study, what your school/clinical schedule looks like, and how flexible your job is.
I worked all four years of nursing school. First year I worked at a Subway restaurant about 25-30 hours per week, mostly afternoon and evening shifts. Schedule was nice because they could fit me in for short shifts (4 hours or so) during the busiest times, and longer shifts when I had no classes. Second year I worked as a server at a more formal restaurant, which was nice because I had the option to work double shifts on the weekends and I could work later shifts if I wanted to. Third year I worked as a CNA at a nursing home, evening shifts (3-11) 32 hours per week. This was a little more tricky because I could only work on days that I didn't have any afternoon classes/clinicals, and I usually had early classes the day after work. So I'd work until 11pm and have to be at class or clinical at 7am the next morning. Fourth year I worked as a CNA for a home health company 24-36 hours per week. Home health was nice because I could set my own hours for a couple of my clients. I worked some overnight shifts and, when my client was asleep, I could study or do homework.
So minimum, I was working about 24 hours per week every year of nursing school and I graduated with a 3.8. It wasn't always easy. There were a lot of late nights and early mornings and I didn't always get a lot of sleep. But I managed. If you have a job that's willing to be flexible with your hours/shifts, it will make it much easier for you.

Omg! This is what my schedule will be looking like when i start nursing school and its good to know that it can be done. Good job!

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