Would you work during nursing school if you didn't have to?

[justme1972]

I have two friends that I take classes with...all of us are entering the nursing program this Fall. The three of us are married and are fortunate to be in the position of having spouses where working during school is an option and not a need...for which I am forever grateful.

However, the other two are significantly younger than me, one is 21, and the other is 22, I'm 36. We met at school, they are very serious students, so despite the age difference, I have no problems meeting them for lunch or dinner to study for some pre-reqs we are currently taking. It has helped all of us.

The three of us, have about the same study habits...I just quit my part-time job b/c of an upcoming summer class (API & II) which will run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 pm....M-Thurs and run for 10 weeks, of which they are attending as well.

Both of these young ladies have, within the last two weeks got a job at a local hosptial...one is a Patient Care Technician and the other will be doing admissions...one is working 30 hours a week, and the other 20.

My concern is neither one of them was working before, and I cannot even imagine working even one day a week with the upcoming summer course load, and nursing school starting this Fall.

Maybe I'm being mother hen...but I was like, "Are you SURE you guys want to do that?"

No doubt, working in a hospital would be beneficial...but I just couldn't imagine working during this program if you had the option not to.

[gt4everpn, BSN, RN]

It all depends on what u know u can handle, my advice, if your the type of person that needs to put their all into studying don't work, if you don't think you can handle it, don't try it. Best of luck to you!

[Cherish]

I am going to school fulltime right now and its easier not to work. I currently don't work and financially I don't need to work (I do not live at home, no financial support from anyone, and I'm not married). Once I start nursing school I will see how everything is after my first clinical. I will work summers (since school is out anyways) in an internship/externship position just to get some networking capabilities and real life hospital experience.

I think its what everyone is capable of. If you don't have to work but want to then do it. I study better when I don't have that much on my plate, school, volunteering (I do this a lot), working and hanging out with friends would be too much for me.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

Most of the younger students in my nursing program work at least part-time. Some actually work full-time most weeks (overnights, weekends, etc.).

I don't think it will hurt your friends to start their jobs and see how it works out for them. They are the only ones who can truly determine if working and going to school works for them.

Be grateful you in a position where you don't have to work; there are many folks who are not so fortunate.

[TexasPediRN]

I graduated nursing school when I was 21 years old - for the last 2 years of nursing school I worked at least 2-3 shifts a week as a student nursing assistant. If I did not have clinical or class the next day, I worked 3p-11p. If I did have a class the next morning, I worked 3p-9p. There were some days I would do clinical from 6:45-1:45, get lunch, study, and go work the 3-11 shift. I did well in classes. I also worked a few hours a week doing the work study program at our college - I filed, organized, answers phones, etc.

I think working during nursing school depends on how organized one is - I had papers and assignments done weeks in advance, and would move on to other assignments. I came home from classes and rewrote all of my notes. Clases were 2 full days a week, and clinicals were 2 days a week. So I did have Friday and weekends free.

I also think some students are more motivated then others - personally, I didnt want to depend on my parents for money, so I made my own.

[kasia2]

I think if I get in I will keep my job but if its going to be to hard for me I will quit.

[aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

I currently work but just PRN as a Nurse Tech for the extra money. If need be, I only really have to work 2 shifts per month which equals to one per pay period. Right now I'm wanting to work two shifts a week which would equal part time. The shifts are 12 hours from 6a-6p. I was off of work for over a year and am glad I will be going back. So no, I don't really have to work but I want to work. I was going insane being home all the time with my only social intetraction being for a few hours a week at school. The plus about this job is I can also apply for scholorships and when I get into my junior year which is when I will start my clinicals, I can be upgraded to a nurse extern with the same hour requirements (2 shifts/month) but I'll be able to apply the things I'm learning in school to the real world. Kinda like getting extra clinical hours and getting paid for them.

[loly24]

Personally, I have worked all through my pre req's full time at a doctors office as a CMA taking 2-3 classes at a time and I have done great. It all depends on your time management. However, I was unmarried then and now I am married and will start nursing school in the Fall and I have chosen not to work my DH prefers that I don't as well. Nursing school is hard and time consuming and I honestly rather concentrate on studying, but if they can work more than 20hrs and still manage to do well in nursing school then that is great!

[Wondergirl0905]

the accelerated program recommends not working, but if necessary then no more than 10 hours. I am trying to get a part-time job set up at the hospital this summer while I take chem 1 & 2.

[meandragonbrett]

I think it depends on the person and how motivated they are. I have held a full time job since day one.

[VIXEN007]

I do not have a choice. I worked through college and now I will work my way through an ADN program. I have been sleep deprived for the past few years, so I should be okay.

[lisabeth]

I dont have to work, and I am not working, but I really cant wait to get through so I can go back to work. I miss working.

[Princess74]

NO WAY, if I didn't have to i wouldn't! I have to though and sometimes I feel like theres not enough hours in the day.