I've been a member on AN since Feb. and was an avid reader for months prior to creating an account. I've noticed on tons of threads asking for advice on working during school, a very popular response is "don't work" or "you won't be able to work full time and go to school".
Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to take off for two years or cut back on hours (and pay) in order to focus solely on school. Not everyone with an interest in nursing is blessed with extra money or another person to keep them afloat while they attend school, and some are unable to take out more loans on top of school loans to pay for their living costs.
Please stop giving "don't work" or "you can't work" as answers, because it's not only discouraging, but it gives the impression that it isn't possible to complete nursing school with a job.
I'm not saying it's easy and of course there are restrictions on working hours availability since school will need to take precedence, but with proper time management, support, and dedication, working full time can be done during nursing school.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I worked 32 hours per week as an LVN at a nursing home during the entire time I attended an LPN-to-ASN bridge program. As long as you manage your time, it is possible to work full-time and attend nursing school.
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
I wish I could work - well, I'm a temp in a hospital. If I were fulltime somewhere, I'd have these crazy things called benefits and sick/personal/vacation time - which would alleviate all the stress I have when I have to beg my parents to help me cover necessities, since I am tapped out in financial aid (tuition is still free).
All the best students in my nursing cohort are the ones who work fulltime...
I had to work to eat. I worked 20-40 hrs/week. It was tough. I might could have made As if I hadn't worked but only 2 students in our class made As. One worked part-time. It depends on the person. I don't believe working and nursing school are necessarily mutually exclusive activities.
I'm currently working full time and doing full time graduate nursing studies. It's killing me, and I plan to cut back at work, but I do not plan to stop working (and kiss my tuition reimbursement goodbye).
I worked 2-3 part time jobs at a time while in school giving me 40 hrs a week. Yes, you need to time manage but it can be done. I would get upset at school actually because I had professors tell me that working during school is unacceptable and that you can't do both and be able to pass. Graduated with honors, was the member of many organizations, and proved them all wrong. 😊
And the good news is all you go-getters won't be whining in the "How come I have to pay back the $80,000 that I borrowed for tuition and living expenses while I focused on school" threads.
I also worked throughout my LPN, ADN, BSN and 2 NP programs. It sure wasn't fun but I didn't wrack up any debt or lose several years worth of income so it was well worth it for me to suck it up and just bully through. The other bonus is I basically have years more experience than those who did a similar track without working.
And the good news is all you go-getters won't be whining in the "How come I have to pay back the $80,000 that I borrowed for tuition and living expenses while I focused on school" threads.
I also worked throughout my LPN, ADN, BSN and 2 NP programs. It sure wasn't fun but I didn't wrack up any debt or lose several years worth of income so it was well worth it for me to suck it up and just bully through. The other bonus is I basically have years more experience than those who did a similar track without working.
I worked at a hospital during school and they did tuition reimbursement. Between pre-reqs, fees, nursing classes, HESI and boards, I think I paid out of pocket a total of $500 over the course of my whole program. That's another great benefit if working during nursing school:)
And the good news is all you go-getters won't be whining in the "How come I have to pay back the $80,000 that I borrowed for tuition and living expenses while I focused on school" threads.
Omg too funny! And so true! I would way rather work myself to death working and going to school for two years than spend the next 30 paying back a totally unnecessary debt from taking out living loans. (My pride may have to do with that, too. An "I can do it because someone says I can't attitude, if you will ).
I worked at a hospital during school and they did tuition reimbursement. Between pre-reqs, fees, nursing classes, HESI and boards, I think I paid out of pocket a total of $500 over the course of my whole program. That's another great benefit if working during nursing school:)
I currently work in an office but with nursing school getting nearer, I've been considering going back to PRN CNA work since it's flexible and I can support myself on PRN pay. I'm not sure if I can get tuition reimbursement working PRN, but it's something I have most definitely been looking into!
You are right many people find they are able to work while going to nursing school. It really depends on the individual how smart, motivated, organized and good with time management. It is possible to do and even many RN's still work while going for their NP, although some cut back to pool or part-time. I was blessed to not have to work during my ADN program, but took out student loans to do this which took me almost 25 years to pay off! I probably could have worked and did try to do agency CNA work but found the NH working conditions more than I could handle so I just gave up. If you have the opportunity to get a paid nurse intern/extern position take advantage because you will learn valuable hands on skills and have a chance to network and grow and it will make the transition to nurse so much easier!
I used to think RN's should wait before going back to school for NP, but I have changed my advice on this. Most programs want all the basic sciences to be done within 5 years of being accepted into the program so it really doesn't give you a lot of time to wait, unless you want to be forced to spend the time and money redoing science classes. Plus you will be gaining experience while you are in school if you continue to work at least part time.
Omg too funny! And so true! I would way rather work myself to death working and going to school for two years than spend the next 30 paying back a totally unnecessary debt from taking out living loans. (My pride may have to do with that, too. An "I can do it because someone says I can't attitude, if you will ).
My friend a single mom did just that living hand to mouth and was able to get her ADN without taking out student loans. It was a very hard time money wise and she had to relocate to another state to get a job, but at least she didn't have student loans to pay back. Because of the poor times she struggled with, she really enjoys her vacations now and living well. But working as a bedside nurse is a real struggle for her due to bad back problems caused at least in part from lifting and turning patients. So if you do plan to be a bedside nurse, you really need to have an exit strategy in place and save money for emergencies and retirement because this is a difficult, stressful and at times dangerous job that you might not be able to make it to retirement! Don't go overboard on vacations, jewelry and living the life when you become a nurse or you may live to regret it!
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
Came back to add - I do owe loans, however when it comes down to my nursing degree, I owe nothing. I made the decision to take out loans because the SoCal work/employment is very INHOSPITABLE to monolingual, English speakers. Do I worry about the 57K I owe? NOPE! Why, you wonder - because paying my rent in advance whenever possible trumped my fear or annoyance over owing Uncle Sam for years on end. When you've exerted your best efforts to obtain gainful employment - after 100K applications/resumes - you tire of the process pretty quickly and frankly, i am tired of every, raggedy, private employer having my personally identifying information, while I watch all their lazy, neck-tattooed, perfume wearing/nail polish/acrylic nail wearing employees enjoy the opportunity to support their families while I am consistently passed over for positions.
So, work, gal and who cares what anybody says about your path, unless they will be supporting you, unconditionally while you are in nursing school!
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
I worked 32 hours per week as an LVN at a nursing home during the entire time I attended an LPN-to-ASN bridge program. As long as you manage your time, it is possible to work full-time and attend nursing school.