Part time job while in school?

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Does anyone here work very limited hours while going to school? I just finished up my cna course last week, and took and passed the state exam today. I took the course because it was a pre-req for the nursing program, which I will be applying to in a few weeks. But ideally, I'd like to work as a NA while I'm in school. I won't be able to work enough hours to really make any money, but I'd like to do what I can for the experience. I also have young children and dh works on the road during the week, so that even further limits the hours I can work. I did see a few job postings at the home I did my clinicals at that were for only 16 hours per pay period (days) and every other weekend, but I have no clue how that works- is it usually rotating days or do you think it would be possible to get set days for part time? My fall schedule leaves me with Tues and Thurs completely free. Would they look at me like I was nuts if I started applying for jobs saying I can only work those days plus weekends? I can't do every weekend, dh would have a fit, but I can work any shift on the weekends, but only days during the week. I'm just so confused at how to go about filling out applications with my goofy schedule. I've been self-employed for the past 6 years and a SAHM for two years prior to that, so I'm very nervous about interviews on top of it all!

I was really sad to leave on my last day of clinicals last week, and would really like to find something where I can get a day or two while in school!!

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Specializes in LTC.

Don't put any of that on your application. Just let them know you're in nursing school, check off part time and everything for availability and work it out after you get an interview/offer.

As long as you're able to work at least every other weekend it shouldn't be a problem for them, but I wouldn't make a big ol' mess on the application explaining the different hours you can and cannot work, because they probably won't even bother if they see that at first.

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Specializes in LTC.

I agree. Just check part time, and then after you get an offer, explain what schedule you need. Good Luck!

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Ok, another question! This same facility also has two on-call positions right now. I am not fully understanding how that works. It specifically says:

Number of hours: Casual on Call

Shift: All shifts, works 1 wknd per month & e/o holiday.

Does this mean I would have to be available all shifts, every day, plus one scheduled weekend a month and every other holiday? Or is it that you are only on call all shifts on the weekends?

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IT means that they can basically call you anytime to come in plus one weekend a month with every other holiday.

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So do you have to actually be available 24/7? I was under the impression that with on call positions you were given certain days that you are "on", but it's not all day every day that you have to sit by the phone? Then again, that was for someone in a different field, so maybe that's how it works in healthcare?

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Anytime they need you, they will call for you to come in. I am sure some have it to where they are PRN only at nights and so forth, but that would be something I am sure is discussed and worked out during or after the interview.

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The thing with thinking that you are "free" on certain days may not be the case once you are in school. I just graduated in May with my degree in nursing and I can tell you that there are no such things as "free" days or time to spend with family. You will be using those days off of class to study, write papers, and don't forget the endless hours at night writing care plans and researching your patient assignments the day before clinicals.

On the other hand, it is good to have the CNA experience for when you do graduate and start looking for a job. The job market is terrible for nurses right now, and being a CNA may or may not help you get a GN job after you graduate. I know people who got jobs because of their CNA experience, but I also know people who did not, and they struggled through school trying to find time for work and studying. Most of us that had kids did not work at the same time. Those who were single with no kids mostly worked part time. And those who worked, AND had kids either just barely graduated or failed out. If you could, start school first and see how much time your schedule really allows.

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Specializes in LTC.
The thing with thinking that you are "free" on certain days may not be the case once you are in school. I just graduated in May with my degree in nursing and I can tell you that there are no such things as "free" days or time to spend with family. You will be using those days off of class to study, write papers, and don't forget the endless hours at night writing care plans and researching your patient assignments the day before clinicals.

Well rent and insurance and food and other bills aren't "free" either. Not everyone works through nursing school because they have nothing better to do and think it'll look good on a resume. Usually there's no choice.

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Specializes in LTC.

Around here if you are in nursing school alot of health care facilities like to hire you because if they are good to you then they can hope to get a nurse in the end. That seems to be my bosses take. I've worked there full time for 4 or 5 years now and am starting nursing school in September. I told my boss and asked her if it would be a problem and she said no because she wants me as a nurse. So come September I'll only be working weekends, maybe I won't work every weekend I'm not sure yet, I'm going to base it on my financial situation because I may HAVE to work, I may not, and if I don't then maybe I'll just go to on-call. I do have one daughter but I have a TON of support.

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Thanks everyone. I am going to just start applying everywhere making sure to note on the app that I'm a student, and see what comes of it. I guess if they won't work with my schedule, then they'll just say so and that will be the end of it. I'm going to the tech, but there are two huge universities in the same town, and one of them is a big nursing school, so I'm guessing there has got to be employers around here that will work with it, I'm just hoping I can find one in healthcare! Financial aid covers my books and tuition, but I've got to make something to pay for all the daycare! That adds up quick!

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