school & p/t work?

juji fruit · Aug 10, 2003

Even though you will be in class or class related activites 21 h/week, you will have to spend countless more hours studying and preparing for that class time, testing, clinicals, etc. Take that into consideration. I do not work while going to school, but I find myself devoting 40+ hours per week total to schooling. I know many people who work (some full time), go to school and have multiple children. It is doable, but I guess it just depends on how much sleep you are willing to sacrifice :0) Good luck to you...

Court

2007 · Aug 10, 2003

Thnx for the input Juji Fruit.

School is going to be a full-time job in itself :eek:

Loubell RN 2B · Aug 10, 2003

I know that they say that nursing school has you pressed for time and you have countless hours of reading and homework but I have a previous AAS degree. While I was going to school to obtain that (doing 17 and sometimes 19 credit hours a semester) I was obviously a full-time student, worked more than part-time and was a single mother at the time (maintained a 3.5 GPA). You do what you ultimately have to do, somehow you will work it out.

Good luck and the best of wishes..

Lynda in VA

rebel_red · Aug 10, 2003

Ummmm Yikes...our lpn program is 35 class hours a week, more when clinicals start. Minumum four to seven hours of studying a night. I am only working 16 hours a week as a CNA at LTC weekends, 11-7 shift. Am seriously considering giving notice. I love my job, love my residents...but physically am ready to crash...plus we have been running short at work, and even though I keep my folks clean, dry and turned, and bathed before dressing (you would be surprised how many aides skip that step) I feel like I am shortchanging them, I like to raise the standards more then just meet the minimum....

Then again I am a perfectionist.....And thank you for letting me vent on your thread!!!!!

Find what works for you. Perhaps get the rhyme and reason of school first and then see if you can fit in a job....Senior year at uni I was taking 15 credits, doing my practicum and working 20 hours a week.....then again I was a social work major which I don't think is near as tough as nursing.

Let's face it I am just babbling...lol

Whatever you do Good Luck!

Tres

Jen2 · Aug 11, 2003

Hello! First I would like to welcome you to the boards. This is a great place for support, advice, and information. If you do not have to work, then don't. I worked full time for 2 years while attending school full time during my pre-reqs. I have a 3.7 GPA going into the first semester of my ADN program this fall. I can honestly tell you that most nights I got 3 hours of sleep. I would work from 5:00a.m. until 1:30p.m. and attend class from 2:00p.m. until 9:00p.m.. I am now going to drop my hours at work to 3 days a week, so that I won't have to work on the days I have class, but this will still make me a busy person 7 days a week, and I don't know how I will manage, physically and financially, but I will because I have to.

If it's not necessary then don't do it. Especially until you get the feel for college life. If you feel you can handle working some hours then check into your schools work study program, or maybe do every other weekend at a hospital. Congrats on furthering your education and for choosing the nursing profession. Let us know how everything goes.

essarge · Aug 11, 2003

When I first started, I didn't work. Now, in my senior year and one divorce later, I work full time and go to school full time. Did I hear the term "no life"? But it will all be worth it in the end. I usually go to bed as early as I can (around 1am after work). And study when I can.

Mariannsi · Aug 11, 2003

I've worked fulltime and went to school part time and that was hard - held a 3.5 GPA. But, if you plan on working I would conisder it down the line once you've gotten your feet wet in Nursing. You may want to consider a partime position as a CNA or something in a Hospital evironment. This will complement your nursing studies.

Good Luck in whatever you choose to do just remember what your goal is and go for it!!!!

Mare

2007 · Aug 11, 2003

Thanks everyone. I appreicate it.

It's going to be hard - I have to commute to school too, which takes 45min-1hr there and back, so that'll eat uup precious precious time - unless I use it to study on the subway. so I might have to work 2days/week MAX, but only after I've become more familiar on how my actual days go as a Uni student.....tuition+the cost of books+cost of transportation+university expenses reallllly adds up. I'd like to help keep the expenses down, lol.

Mariannsi: I'm wondering what a CNA is....I have no prior nursing experience, but I'm sure we have those in Canada. :confused:

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2003

You have received alot of great advice already. All I can say is if you don't have to work then don't. If you do plan to work then for every credit hour of study plan at least two to three hours of independant study to complete each course. Basically school is a fulltime job. If you want to work part-time give it a try but if you feel your slipping on your studies then give it up. In the end what really matters is your education after all. Good luck in your future studies.

Mariannsi · Aug 11, 2003

2007,

A CNA is a Certified Nurses Assistant. What's nice about a position like that is the flexibility in hours. What would that be in Canada?

Again, Good Luck!

Mariann

PilotJim68 · Aug 11, 2003

Just my own story here so take it for whats its worth, I am a full time student and work part time, however, I work as a security guard 7p-7a Fridays and Saturdays. One great benefit to my job is that I can study while I am at work and I can pretty much make my own schedule thanks to an understanding manager.

I have 10 years of medical experience behind me and probably won't do the part time thing for student nurses at the hospital because I won't be able to study while working and I don't want my GPA to suffer (future CRNA student here).

My advice is, if you have no prior medical experience and can afford NOT to work for at least your first semester, DON'T WORK. Get a feel for it first and then later if you feel you can work, try to find a job that suits you and your schedule no matter what the job may be (just for a little extra money). Good luck to ya !!:)