"Don't Work" Isn't An Answer

[mirandaaa]

Prepare for a minor rant...

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.

/end rant

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I worked during nursing school. I worked less than full time approximately 30 hours a week. It can be done.

[mirandaaa]

I graduated in 1975 from nursing school. If you were caught working while in the program you were terminated from the program. I had two classmates kicked out for holding down jobs. Being accepted to the school was dependent on your agreeing not to hold an outside job. You don't get to ask a question but dictate what answers you will be given.

There would be thousands less nurses in the world if this was still a standard kept today. It just isn't possible for many people to attend school and not work.

Also, I never said that this was even a question I have ever asked.

I have not once asked if working during school is possible (because I know it is); I said that on other threads on this site I have viewed that are not my own is where I have seen these responses. So no, I didn't "ask a question and dictate an answer" because this question is not one I have ever asked.

[Red Kryptonite]

I graduated in 1975 from nursing school. If you were caught working while in the program you were terminated from the program. I had two classmates kicked out for holding down jobs. Being accepted to the school was dependent on your agreeing not to hold an outside job. You don't get to ask a question but dictate what answers you will be given.

Yeah, well, that was 40 years ago, when you weren't allowed to wear makeup, and had to wear white dresses, stockings, and nursing caps, and stand whenever a doctor came onto your floor. Things have changed....just a little bit....since then.

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

Part of what has me worried is I work nights and the only programs I can find are daytime. I want to know how I can work nights & then go straight to class & be able to take in the info.

Any advice?

I worked nights as a LPN during the last year of my ADN program. My manager was very understanding and worked with my schedule. I worked my three nights over the weekend and had class during the week. My schedule went like this:

Monday thru Thursday - class/clinicals during the day

Thursday afternoon, take a nap.

Thursday - Saturday - work overnight

I'd stay away Sunday after getting off work in the morning so I could sleep Sunday night and be well rested before class/clinical.

It was tough and I'd be really tired on Thursdays because I didn't get much sleep between class/clinical and work, but I managed to pull it off for the year and complete my ADN program.

[mirandaaa]

Part of what has me worried is I work nights and the only programs I can find are daytime. I want to know how I can work nights & then go straight to class & be able to take in the info.

Any advice?

Honestly, working nights and having day classes isn't that bad. Before going into nursing and I was just taking regular college courses, it worked out because I would work 11p-7a, have class from 8a-1p and then I would get a little sleep, wake up and start homework and then be back to work by 11p.

Having a night shift job during school may be more beneficial than if you had a daytime job because those hours would likely clash regularly.

It's hard and my advice is...eat well and consume some caffeine!

[littlemissie]

Worked 30 hours first as a waitress and then 36 hours as a nurse tech the last year. Not only did I have time to study I also had time to go to the gym 5 days/ week, celebrate with friends after exams, hang out with my boyfriend and friends, and keep a fairly clean apartment. People just like to scare people away. Just make sure you have at least one full day per week to study and complete assignments and you will be fine.[/quote']

you have killer time management skills. teach me thy ways lol

[Red Kryptonite]

Reading a lot of these posts makes me very grateful to have an employer who works with my school schedule.

My LPN program has day and night options. I chose night and I also work nights, so when I'm not at work, I'm at school. I do have daytime clinicals on Saturdays but that works out because my husband is home. Basically I chose the night program because it represented the least childcare challenges, as my husband works the M-F 8-4 schedule. We've had issues here and there, but so far made it work. Sometimes I barely see my family for a week at a time, but it's a sacrifice for one year that will pay off long term.

[mirandaaa]

Reading a lot of these posts makes me very grateful to have an employer who works with my school schedule.

My LPN program has day and night options. I chose night and I also work nights, so when I'm not at work, I'm at school. I do have daytime clinicals on Saturdays but that works out because my husband is home. Basically I chose the night program because it represented the least childcare challenges, as my husband works the M-F 8-4 schedule. We've had issues here and there, but so far made it work. Sometimes I barely see my family for a week at a time, but it's a sacrifice for one year that will pay off long term.

You are definitely very lucky! I've found that a lot of medical employers are more flexible and lenient on their employees that are in school for something medical because they are understanding. But employers that are not medical are a little less understanding (which makes sense).

You're also lucky that your school offers night and day options because there are many that do not (including my own). I would love if I could go during the evening since I work M-F 8-4, but unfortunately my school doesn't do that.

But I will find a way to make it work, just like the many other nurses on this thread that made it work for them.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I worked and I was a mother. I had a part time job that paid pretty well.

The biggest factor was I had a mother to help with childcare.

Of course it can be done.... family support was the key for me.

Good luck!

[diosolin]

I worked as a home health nurse while in RN school. That allowed me to make money but also study when my patients were asleep.

[anie10]

Part of what has me worried is I work nights and the only programs I can find are daytime. I want to know how I can work nights & then go straight to class & be able to take in the info.

Any advice?

I would just consider the fact there are some days I am up/alert for 16hours, so I think you working at night, changing and going to class is doable. Also, it's great if your instructor lets you record the lectures.

Don't worry - see how it goes and turns out. Worry is ruminating over what you can't control and in nursing - there are than a few things that are outside your control. So don't start your journey like that.

Sometimes, working nights is the best because that's the first shift you may get as an RN.

[anie10]

Haha, and all the floors I've done my clinicals on - never saw the CNAs that worked there... We did everything! So, if the CNAs are not doing much while we are there, you can imagine how much free time you'll have to study your pocket guides/flashcards, etc.

Additionally, most programs are under 2 years, excepting traditional BSN programs.

You can do this!