Starting school, not sure if I should work, help

[hopeful2386]

I'm starting my critical care rotation this semester and I'm not sure if I should work. I have class four days a week and a test almost every week. I work weekends and night shifts but I'm worried that I shouldn't work through it. I was wondering if its a good idea or not to work during this clinical since its supposed to be the hardest one yet. Any thoughts?

[mammac5]

Have you been working up to now? If so, how has it been going so far? If not, is there a compelling reason for you to start working at this point?

[hopeful2386]

yes i have been working but i just recently switched jobs from lifeguarding to being a CNA. As a lifeguard, i could usually study or do my homework during work because we weren't very busy. But now as a CNA I won't have the free time that I had as a lifeguard.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would say try it out and see how it goes at first. I worked as an extern doing night weekends during my last 2 semesters(including critical care). We actually had critical care and community health in the same semester. So I would have class twice a week, and 2 clinical days. I pulled it out just fine, very doable.

[mammac5]

yes i have been working but i just recently switched jobs from lifeguarding to being a CNA. As a lifeguard, i could usually study or do my homework during work because we weren't very busy. But now as a CNA I won't have the free time that I had as a lifeguard.

Well, on the one hand, you won't have the free-time to study on your new job which could make nursing school more difficult for you. On the other hand, you will be working as a CNA which could develop contacts for you and give you work experience that will both benefit you when hitting the job market as an RN. I say give it a try and see how you do. Try to keep the hours comparable to what you've been doing in your present job (for instance, if you've been working 16 hours per week up to this point, don't try and take on a full-time job...you could be asking for trouble), and dig in. You already know you can be successful in NS, so if your grades or your mastery of the material starts to slip, drop the job.

[itsmejuli]

Its all a matter of being organized and sticking to your personal schedule.

I work 7a to 7p on the weekends which is perfect for me. The rest of the week I can devote to school.

[LM064]

If you have enough money to comfortably last you through this rotation then maybe you should consider cutting down the number of shifts. However, if it's necessary that you work then it's just one of those times in life you'll have to work really hard to stay on top of things. I agree with "itsmejuli"...."Its all a matter of being organized and sticking to your personal schedule".