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.
All of these stories has inspired me. I really want to work my first year of school because my senior year of highschool I worked 30+ hours and had the highest grades I have ever had throughout the entire four years. I feel because I worked it pushed me to stay focus and get my school work done. I prioritized more and I also knew if my grades were to slip I would have to quit my job. Now im starting school in 2 weeks n I want to get a on campus job but my mom thinks its a bad idea and like other people said when you dont a set routine you tend to procrastinate. What do you guys think.
Glad to have read this thread. I'm hoping to get into an evening program that starts in January and I'm trying to figure out how to schedule my work schedule around school. I work 11p-7a 5 days/wk and every other weekend. Luckily the hospital I work at is willing to work with me. As long as I get my 5 shifts in I can do them any shift/day I want.
I would love to not work. But one income is not enough for us. I hate the thought of missing my kids softball/soccer games, school events and helping with homework. I also feel guilty and jealous that my husband will experience these things without me. But he and the kids are my biggest supporters so I know we'll make it work. I heard making a schedule with specific time set for family time really helps so I'll have to try that.
One good thing about working nights is I have a lot of down time. During my pre-reqs I was able to get all of my reading/studying and papers done at work which left my time at home free from schoolwork. I know the nursing program is going to be a lot more reading and studying so I'm hoping being able to get some of it done at work will help.
I'm there with everyone else who has to work. I have two children, 2 and 7, and we live in California where it is highly difficult to make it on one income unless you are super blessed. I'll be starting an ADN program at SRJC in the spring of 2016, and I am hoping that with my extensive pre-reqs (I prepared for an entry-level masters, which wasn't possible due to where we moved) and professional experience as a medical malpractice investigator, I will know enough to not struggle too much through the program. I will have to work at least 20 hours a week during these next 2 years. The hardest thing is knowing how much I will miss my children and how little time I will have to take care of myself. And the tiredness--I am a bear without my sleep. But I will take the ring to Mordor, although I do not know the way!
Working or not working during nursing school is a PERSONAL choice. You have to decide if you are able to efficiently combine work and school together. For those who want to work, there are student nurse position which are per diem ( usually require 2 shifts per month) and the hospital usually works around your school schedule. I know these positions are hard to get ( it took me a while to get one) but if you have an opportunity to get one, GET IT. I highly recommend pre nursing and nursing students to get your foot in the door before you graduate.
I work as a mathematics tutor, but only for twenty hours a week. I am lucky to have a great support structure though. I wish I could work harder overcome more be more independent, but I just don't know if I could handle it. So I go through work study at my age *sigh*, and I am going to rely upon loans to pay for it if I get in. I felt taxed taking 12 credit hours, and working 26 hours a week, and it still wasn't enough to pay the medical bills, or the tuition. So I went on Medicaid because my work only offered health insurance if I worked 30 plus hours, and they would only offer me another shift if I was willing to pick up 8 hours, and I didn't think I could handle 34 hours of work and school. I wish you all the best in your journey, you have me rooting for you. My friend is in a similar situation with emt school.
I agree. This seems absolutely possible. For me, the busier I am, the better I do in school because constraints on my time force me to get my work done ahead of time.
SimpleNewGrad
40 Posts
I worked 1 full time and 2 per Diem jobs all through out nursing school. But every time a major test comes up. I take a week off before that test.