Nursing Student & Working....HOW!!???!!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 14, 2011

I worked full time while in BSN and MSN programs. Do not recommend it but I had no choice. What is it like? It is like not having a life till you graduate.

HOWEVER! So glad I did it, now that it is over

clucito01 · Apr 15, 2011

The only advice I can offer you is to feel it out and see what works best for you! I started nursing school without a job last semester and this semester I felt like I was in the groove of things enough to get a Friday - Sunday job. Boy was I wrong! The 2nd weekend I was working I was trying to get enough sleep, make study guides, read, do any and all homework out of the way, and write a paper. Needless to say Sunday night when I got off work at 11 and came home I had way too much to do! So I only got 1 hour of sleep that night and when I basically had a nervous breakdown and cried through the first hour of Pharmacology I called my employer the next day and said thanks but no thanks school is my one and only priority for now! See how you do and look into loans if you can't work and need the money. I know that starts a whole other topic of outrageous interest rates on private loans but if that's your only option then that's what you have to do!

rcurge · Apr 15, 2011

the best way to work full-time and go to nursing is be organized... Making a schedule is the best way to set up your study time and class work

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 15, 2011

Well, I would find a roommate. Pronto. And be prepared to not have a full night's sleep again until you graduate. Look (carefully) into student loans to supplement your income so you can have more time to study. You'll need it.
My class had several working students who tried to work full time and they failed the first semester. We had a few more in academic probation that had to cut their work hours down to around 20/week to pass.
I've heard that it's doable to work 30-40 hrs and be a nursing student, but I've yet to see it happen.
Good luck, though!

I wouldn't necessarily follow that advice. I didn't want a roommate while I was in school, so I didn't have one. I also didn't want any loans, so I ended up getting scholarships through school and work(where I had my externship and eventually my RN job). If you need loans, look into it then...but I would advise against it. I know a few people who took out loans and now their payments are in the $400-500/month range for the next (many many) years. It really is up to the person like they said. Some people can have no job, study 10 hours a day and fail. Others can work 40 hours, study a couple of days before the test, and pass with no problem. And for those wondering about course loads...I worked basically full time during our first semester, which was (patho, pharm, foundations, skills, dosage class-waste of time-, health assessment, health assessment lab, and clinical). You'll find a LOT of horror stories all around this board, but you have to realize some people are just very dramatic and if they can't do it, they want everyone else to think it's impossible too.

Trilldayz,RN BSN · Apr 15, 2011

I wouldn't necessarily follow that advice. I didn't want a roommate while I was in school, so I didn't have one. I also didn't want any loans, so I ended up getting scholarships through school and work(where I had my externship and eventually my RN job). If you need loans, look into it then...but I would advise against it. I know a few people who took out loans and now their payments are in the $400-500/month range for the next (many many) years. It really is up to the person like they said. Some people can have no job, study 10 hours a day and fail. Others can work 40 hours, study a couple of days before the test, and pass with no problem. And for those wondering about course loads...I worked basically full time during our first semester, which was (patho, pharm, foundations, skills, dosage class-waste of time-, health assessment, health assessment lab, and clinical). You'll find a LOT of horror stories all around this board, but you have to realize some people are just very dramatic and if they can't do it, they want everyone else to think it's impossible too.

Totally agree!!! It just depends on you and what you are able to do!

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 15, 2011

Oh and not to mention I got some of the best sleep I could during nursing school. True, some people barely sleep, but others are just fine. You just gotta find out for yourself, don't let any of us tell you how to do you

reesedatdude · Apr 15, 2011

Oh and not to mention I got some of the best sleep I could during nursing school. True, some people barely sleep, but others are just fine. You just gotta find out for yourself, don't let any of us tell you how to do you

Thank you so very much for this advice! I had never thought of any of this that way and I totally understand!! I think this is the main thing that I will focus on...is actually doing it and seeing how it goes for myself. I know me and that's better than any advice.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

DreamyEyes · Apr 15, 2011

I'm in a full-time program and live with my fiance (no kids) and to be able to pay my bills, I need to work 24 hours a week.

I work around 24-28 hours a week on night shift (11p-7a) as a CNA. I'm halfway done the program and am getting good grades and doing well. I also generally have an hour or two to get some studying/homework done at work..sometimes...it depends on how crazy the night is!

It all depends on the person, though.

canigraduate · Apr 16, 2011

Well, I would find a roommate. Pronto. And be prepared to not have a full night's sleep again until you graduate. Look (carefully) into student loans to supplement your income so you can have more time to study. You'll need it.
My class had several working students who tried to work full time and they failed the first semester. We had a few more in academic probation that had to cut their work hours down to around 20/week to pass.
I've heard that it's doable to work 30-40 hrs and be a nursing student, but I've yet to see it happen.
Good luck, though!

Well, even though a couple of posters dogged my post, going part-time, getting a roommate (sort of, I married him), and taking out a couple of loans is what's working for me. If you are super motivated and can handle a lot, then you can probably accomplish more than I am.

I agree with everybody else, though, that you should do what works best for you. Search the old posts on here for study tips if you need some help. There are lots of good ones that have helped me. There are also a lot of good resources for financial aid other than loans.

Good luck with your schooling!

reesedatdude · Apr 16, 2011

Well, even though a couple of posters dogged my post, going part-time, getting a roommate (sort of, I married him), and taking out a couple of loans is what's working for me. If you are super motivated and can handle a lot, then you can probably accomplish more than I am.
I agree with everybody else, though, that you should do what works best for you. Search the old posts on here for study tips if you need some help. There are lots of good ones that have helped me. There are also a lot of good resources for financial aid other than loans.
Good luck with your schooling!

Thank you so much for the kind words canigraduate!! I really appreciate it! I'm glad I joined and made a post about this because it's really been on my mind for a long time now and sorta wanted to get an understanding in my mind before I began classes. What everyone has been saying has been very helpful and mainly just do what I feel is best after experiencing it for myself. To each it's own I guess. =) But I've also been looking into getting scholarships as well because the more money I can, the better. Not only to take care of school, but also an excess check wouldn't be bad either!! =)

Good luck to you as well!!!

cogath · Apr 16, 2011

Me and my boyfriend live together and we split the bills 50/50. I work 16 hours a week in my full time BSN program right now, but last semester I was able to work 24 and saved up a lot of money before going to school. He helps a lot. I think a roomate is a good idea.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2011

Hello all.
I am currently applying to a few different colleges/universities to be admitted as a Nursing student for either this Fall or Spring 2012. I have been hearing lots and lots of horror stories in regards to nursing students working while they attend school. I currently live alone and work full time. Unfortunately I don't have anyone to stay with while I attend school so I have the responsibility of supporting myself; car note, rent, etc etc. I will of course more than likely decrease my hours at work from 40 a week to maybe 30-32 a week.
I know that anything is possible if I make it and want it bad enough, but from hearing horror stories, I'm just a little worried because I'm making a career change from IT to Nursing/Health Care and I just want it so bad!!!
Can anyone give any suggestions? Maybe any success stories of working and attending nursing school? Any advice would be excellent!
Thanks!!!

Of course, there's the pay off as much debt and avoid as much debt as is possible. I chose to move and take a job at the bottom of my career field (it hurts a lot too) in order to provide the time needed to go back to school. I can sit at work and read textbooks if I need to.

Invest in your knowledge of biology, medicine, and healthcare. The more you know the easier it will be. True, you could experience burn out by focusing on that area so much, but you'd be well served. I used to work part-time (at risk of offending others) as a paramedic. It was decent side money for a rainy day or to add to the nest egg, and it was a good hobby (that's the part that offends people). Having gone through that educational preparation in the past and my work experience has been immensely helpful and has set me lightyears beyond the novice student. I also have a degree in general science with a biology emphasis. Having a science know how and an inherent interest in biology of which the fields of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pathophysiology stem from.

All that said, with the above noted comments, nursing school hasn't been that hard. I wish we could double up actually and hurry up and get done with it. My work hours vary. I've worked as little as 8 hours in a week and as many as 62 since I started the RN/BSN program last August.

Absolute free time is essential. When you get it, milk it. Don't do anything else. You also need to evaluate your stress levels. I've never been around such a stressed out, freaked out bunch of people as nursing students. Listening to them is the worst part of it all. Learn to relax and put things away.