Nursing Students - Do you work?

I worked throughout more than half of my nursing program. I worked as a CNA in a large teaching hospital and the experience I got was invaluable! I worked there for about 9 months before I even started school full-time. During school I'd work 16-32 hours a week depending on my schedule. It's hard, but it was do-able for me. Not everyone feels the same though. I stopped working because of a falling out between my employer and myself, not because I chose to. But by then I was in my last 2 semesters of school and it would have been too difficult to try to find and train for a new job so I am just focusing on school for now until I graduate in a few weeks !!!!!

thank you for your response!! what school do you go to? congrats to you on graduating soon! i know you are psyched!!!!

I go to school in the SW suburbs of Chicago. Are you from the area? Thanks for the congrats....but I'm not there yet! Getting very excited though!

Im in school fulltime, and trying to pull off full time work as a CNA as well. Its getting harder and harder. I just finished my first semester, and managed 3 A's and a B, but I am going to have to go to part time work for here on out. It gets tougher as you go.

Chris

Wow! you all are brave!!! I know it's possible. best of luck to you all!

I'm in Orlando, FL!!!

Tried working...damn near failed out of school.

It's really super frustrating for me, too because unlike just about everyone else in my program, I don't have kids, or even a boyfriend to take up my time. I sit next to girls with 3-4 kids, husbands at home, working full time...I am in absolute awe of them.:bowingpur

Don't mean to turn this into a little pity party for myself, but since my mom gave me the opportunity to just go to school & not work (which I am beyond grateful for), I've felt like no matter what I do in life, what kind of nurse I turn out to be, no matter how many pts I touch, I'll never be able to say that I really did it by myself. So that's kind of a bummer.

I asked one of my instructors how these women can pull it off with the kids & the boyfriends & working & everything else & she told me, "Well, if you ever want something to get done, give it to a busy person." I think there's something to that. People that already have a full plate are accustomed to going without sleep, to realizing what tasks can get done half-assed, what things can wait until tomorrow, etc.

So, that's my experience. Literally, 99% of the students in my program can do it - I'm the 1% that can't. Not whining! I'm okay with being that 1% - it's not how you get to the finish line, it's just getting there.

Jessica, I completly understand where you are coming from. Everyone is not able to do it. I think if you have to work to pay bills, of course you will make a way. I will only have to work part time to pay for a car payment, car insurance, cell phone, and of course food. everything else will be covered with financial aid and loans. You are doing it by yourself, but with help.. there' nothing wrong with assistance when you need it most. after you finish, you will be able to help and repay your mom just as she did with you. I can't even wonder how people work full time with kids!!! They are my inspiration and proof that a single person is far more capable to handle the load. What school do you go to? My car will be paid off next July, so I plan to give the money to my mom each month, because she has helped me so much in the past. Best of luck to you!

Renee,

I also live in Orlando. I work at one of the area hospitals as a pharmacy technician. I only work 16 hours a week, due to the large amount of study time needed but it pays bills so I cant complain.

Hey, aarp nurse, what school do you go to?

Valencia Community College

Tried working...damn near failed out of school.

It's really super frustrating for me, too because unlike just about everyone else in my program, I don't have kids, or even a boyfriend to take up my time. I sit next to girls with 3-4 kids, husbands at home, working full time...I am in absolute awe of them.:bowingpur

Don't mean to turn this into a little pity party for myself, but since my mom gave me the opportunity to just go to school & not work (which I am beyond grateful for), I've felt like no matter what I do in life, what kind of nurse I turn out to be, no matter how many pts I touch, I'll never be able to say that I really did it by myself. So that's kind of a bummer.

I asked one of my instructors how these women can pull it off with the kids & the boyfriends & working & everything else & she told me, "Well, if you ever want something to get done, give it to a busy person." I think there's something to that. People that already have a full plate are accustomed to going without sleep, to realizing what tasks can get done half-assed, what things can wait until tomorrow, etc.

So, that's my experience. Literally, 99% of the students in my program can do it - I'm the 1% that can't. Not whining! I'm okay with being that 1% - it's not how you get to the finish line, it's just getting there.

Interesting! I'm also grateful for a husband who takes care and encourages me through school even though he knew sometimes I failed. Furthermore, working or not is up to me to decide, but he want to ensure that I'm going through school. He doesn't make much but adequate to provide us with food on the table and a roof on our heads. So, when I'm done with school, it's his turn to go back to school. I guess it is a give and take. Consider yourself lucky for having a mother like my mom. Except that my mom lets my brother stays without paying rent, and helps him with every possible ways she can, but she never helped me though, lol. What a bummer!