Pre-Nursing: Swinging school on single salary?

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Hi there! I've browsed the site on a few occassions but finally decided to sign up and ask my question! =)

I'm 25 years old, married and currently working a fairly well-paid job in Finance. However, as I'm sure many of you nursing-as-your-second-career folks know, good pay does not always mean a rewarding career! :wink2: I was hoping to apply to our city college's RN program this Spring but, working in finance, that's exactly what I'm worried about! LOL.

As the programs around me are only offered as morning-to-evening weekday courses, enterting the RN program will require me to leave the job I currently have. As my husband is a teacher, we can't survive on his salary alone. My being out of my regular job will be a pretty big dent for the two years the program runs and I am concerned about part-time night/weekend shifts being enough to supplement that missing chunk.

Talking to our nursing program advisor, she explained to me that most students find working part-time jobs (waitressing, bartending, card dealing, Kinkos, etc) while going through the program to be too demanding and that they have little quality time to study - hinting that attempting to do so could hinder my chances of being well prepared for the NCLEX.

To cut costs, we're obviously ditching the "frills" (i.e. Netflix, my gym membership, eating/events out, etc) but we'll still need at least a bit of additional income (roughly $800 net). I am nervous enough about finding a logical way to make up the missing revenue and was made MORE nervous by the suggestion that its a poor idea to work while doing school.

I can't imagine the only folks accomplishing RN programs are either a) folks still living off their parents b) wifes/moms whose partners make enough to support everything.

So my questions for folks are - if you managed to succeed in a similar scenario:

01. What tips/suggestions to do you have for maintaining any missing income if you previously worked?

02. What tips/suggestions do you have for balancing school, night/weekend shifts & family?

I appreciate all your clever tricks to making this possible - I'm willing to make the sacrafices so long as bills still get paid and I've still got time to study! =)

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For some reason, some people on this board have very strong feelings on this topic. There's the camp that says everyone can work full-time while going to school full-time since they did and that it's foolish to take out loans to finance your education (and life while getting an education) On the other side is the camp that says if you work at all while in nursing school, you're doomed to failure. As with most things in life, it's not either/or, for most people it's a combination (some work, some loans).

For me, I was fortunate enough to gain enough scholarships and grants to cover 90% of my cost of attendance. I also work part time on campus in jobs that let me study as well.

Another option, if you're staying in the area after school is to try and get a part-time job at the hospital, they will often pay for student loans after graduation of give tuition assistance while you're in school.

I wish you the best of luck....it's possible, it just takes some finagling :-)

Peace,

CuriousMe

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Thanks!! =) I get the same "NO working" or "FULL TIME WORKING!" responses when I quiz the nurses I encounter at my doc's office, etc.

I am down for working but am curious where people found it best to nab jobs at that offer solely night/weekend shifts that actually brought in enough pay.

My bigger concern is paying for life while in the program. The program itself here is quite affordable so covering that shouldn't be a huge issue.

Gracias for the feedback!

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Hi, I am a single working mom who has almost completed four years of nursing school YAY!! I encourage you to find what works for you, a good balance is the key.

I started out working full time at a Dr's office where I could actually work on homework a little bit, that helped. When I started clinical I found it was a better balance for me to work less so I started bartending. I have managed to work two nights a week, make as much as I did at a full time job and see my family. I also make sure my friends and family come to see me at work so I can use that time for socializing too!

If you can find a place you can study or learn nursing skills it could benefit you in more ways than just financial. Hospitals usually give preference in hiring if someone has been a CNA or unit secretary at their facility prior to applying as a nurse.

Good luck, love to hear how it is going for you later sometime!! :wink2:

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Here is how I did it. I worked weekend nights 3rd shift at the hospital as a CNA. The pay was not great, but it helped. Plus it gave me hands on exp that helped with my classwork and clinical time.

Also by working 3rd shift mgmt was not around so I could spread my books out at my desk and in between call lights actually study a bit.

Also by working nights and weekend you make more money than weekdays.

You dont have to work full time or no time, you can work part time. I would pick up extra during breaks and if I had a light semester I could pick up an extra day or two during the week, then towards the end of school I worked the bare minimum.

Also take full advantage of any and all scholarships, they are out there, you just need to work to find them.

Best of luck!!!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.
Hi there! I've browsed the site on a few occassions but finally decided to sign up and ask my question! =)

I'm 25 years old, married and currently working a fairly well-paid job in Finance. However, as I'm sure many of you nursing-as-your-second-career folks know, good pay does not always mean a rewarding career! :wink2: I was hoping to apply to our city college's RN program this Spring but, working in finance, that's exactly what I'm worried about! LOL.

As the programs around me are only offered as morning-to-evening weekday courses, enterting the RN program will require me to leave the job I currently have. As my husband is a teacher, we can't survive on his salary alone. My being out of my regular job will be a pretty big dent for the two years the program runs and I am concerned about part-time night/weekend shifts being enough to supplement that missing chunk.

Talking to our nursing program advisor, she explained to me that most students find working part-time jobs (waitressing, bartending, card dealing, Kinkos, etc) while going through the program to be too demanding and that they have little quality time to study - hinting that attempting to do so could hinder my chances of being well prepared for the NCLEX.

To cut costs, we're obviously ditching the "frills" (i.e. Netflix, my gym membership, eating/events out, etc) but we'll still need at least a bit of additional income (roughly $800 net). I am nervous enough about finding a logical way to make up the missing revenue and was made MORE nervous by the suggestion that its a poor idea to work while doing school.

I can't imagine the only folks accomplishing RN programs are either a) folks still living off their parents b) wifes/moms whose partners make enough to support everything.

So my questions for folks are - if you managed to succeed in a similar scenario:

01. What tips/suggestions to do you have for maintaining any missing income if you previously worked?

02. What tips/suggestions do you have for balancing school, night/weekend shifts & family?

I appreciate all your clever tricks to making this possible - I'm willing to make the sacrafices so long as bills still get paid and I've still got time to study! =)

It depends. If you know what kind of student you are, you know what works best for you. I'm sick of people telling students "oh...you can't POSSIBLY work, because you don't know how to study and do things at the same time..." Look, if you make school a priority, and understand that you may not be getting A's but you will be passing.....it'll be ok.

I worked as a CNA FT(36 hrs a week) at night...and usually from 11P-5AM it slowed down enough that I could study on my lunch break, or with down time as I studied between call lights(but only after I had done ALL my extra work and patient care)...I never put it above my job duties...

The best advice I have is to find time for everything you can....understand that school will eat up most of the next few years...but know that it will be over at some point...There is nothing in the world quite as challenging, or as rewarding as nursing school.

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LOL, about the grades comment. I fully agree, but I am on another posting on the general nursing forum about whether or not getting A's makes you a good nurse!!! Someone was offended by C=degree, you should check it out!!

I thinking working makes you a well rounded student no matter what you do or how many hours you do it. You will be an expert on time management by the time nursing school is done.

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LOL, about the grades comment. I fully agree, but I am on another posting on the general nursing forum about whether or not getting A's makes you a good nurse!!! Someone was offended by C=degree, you should check it out!!

I thinking working makes you a well rounded student no matter what you do or how many hours you do it. You will be an expert on time management by the time nursing school is done.

To be fair, I don't think that OP was offended by the statement C=degree....but by the rally cry of it. I think she was addressing folks who are just looking to get by and justifying it by saying C=degree. I didn't get the impression she thinks all A students are better, just that she's frustrated by folks who are looking to skate by.

Peace,

CuriousMe

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To be fair, I don't think that OP was offended by the statement C=degree....but by the rally cry of it. I think she was addressing folks who are just looking to get by and justifying it by saying C=degree. I didn't get the impression she thinks all A students are better, just that she's frustrated by folks who are looking to skate by.

Peace,

CuriousMe

oh, must have misunderstood when she said it irks her when people say that!

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oh, must have misunderstood when she said it irks her when people say that!

no problem, misunderstandings happen.:up:

Peace,

CuriousMe

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

Everyone else is going to tell you that how they did it is the only way to go (I'm sure that you found that out already).

I would like to stress that how much work someone can handle while attending nursing school is a very individual decision There are numerous factors that come into play, including how much support you have at home, how much time you want to spend with your family, how clean you want your house to be, how much downtime you need each day/week, ability to cope with stress, time management skills, etc., etc.

The best thing you can do is listen to yourself during this process and make adjustments if you find out that something isn't working for you. Then communicate your needs to your family and try to negotiate a compromise if necessary.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

DH and I are discussing this very issue. I would love to be able to quit my job and focus solely on my education. BUT, we need the money from my income. I'm thinking about seeing if I can go part time at my day job, so I still have money coming in, but I won't be working full time. I also plan on getting every scholarship I possibly can. If need be, we'll get a loan to help cover expenses.

For us, it's really going to depend on what degree I persue. A local school offers an accelerated BSN for people with bachelor's degrees in another field. It sounds like I wouldn't have time for work if that's the route I go. If, on the other hand, I go for the RN first, I may be able to work part time around my school schedule.

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