TinyMuggle

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!

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! =)