Studying on the Job?

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I searched for this and couldn't find much.

A little background: I'm a single mom of five, all older kids (8.5 to 18), and I've been in school for years, so I'm not new at the school + work thing. However, I know nursing is an entirely different ballgame. I can keep my current job and drop to part time, as they're flexible, but my current job will allow no studying once I switch back to days (I'm currently a night stocker full time and can listen/watch videos while working, study quizzlets, etc while working) as I'll be on the retail sales floor with other humans while there.

Having said that, I'm looking into other options for work. Later on, I'd like to find a position in a hospital in order to increase my employability post graduation, but right now my priority is finding something where I can study some while working. I'm not expecting distraction free studying while working, but being able to do *some* studying while working would be helpful, as I could work a bit more and cover our bills better. I obviously have zero issues with working graveyard shift, so anything at night is welcome too. I have looked into working security or at a hotel front desk overnight, but nothing else is really coming to mind.

Worst case, I can continue in my current position, I'm just worried about paying bills and working less than 20 hours a week and don't feel that I should expect to be able to handle more than that realistically.

Any ideas? I appreciate the help. :)

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Companion or home health aide to an elderly person who needs assistance and watching over during the night. I had one client in a group home one time where I curled up in a chair and when she needed help ambulating to the bathroom, I helped her to avoid falling.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Companion or home health aide to an elderly person who needs assistance and watching over during the night. I had one client in a group home one time where I curled up in a chair and when she needed help ambulating to the bathroom, I helped her to avoid falling.

^^ THis 100% ^^ I completed almost my entire MSN while working an overnight peds vent case. The hard part is staying awake in a quiet house when you have a super-boring topic to study.

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^^ THis 100% ^^ I completed almost my entire MSN while working an overnight peds vent case. The hard part is staying awake in a quiet house when you have a super-boring topic to study.

I used to end up balancing my checkbook instead of doing my schoolwork! Just to add: as your skillset and credentials change, you can get more complex night shift cases. Even so, most peds cases at night are little more than being observant while the patient sleeps. Like MMJ, you can get a lot of studying done if you don't let yourself get distracted by a checkbook, or Facebook, or whatever.

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What about working for an answering service? I have never done this, but a friend of mine did this while he was in college. Yes, there are still answering service companies around........

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What about working for an answering service? I have never done this, but a friend of mine did this while he was in college. Yes, there are still answering service companies around........

I don't even know what that is, haha. They just answer phones? I was looking into a call center too, as I know there can be down time in between calls, but I really dislike talking on the phone in general.

I do like the idea of working as a caregiver overnight, I have done caregiving in the past (during the day-honestly I was a glorified housekeeper) but never at night. I can see how that would be a lot of time to study!

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Overnight residential or commercial concierge. almost 1:00 am and I am studying right now. Everyone in this building is asleep so not a sound. You won't get any healthcare experiences here but will get plenty of customer service experience which is good in nursing, also teach you to handle night shift. Best job for students IMO.

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Night shift in the OR dept. Get stuff done

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I worked night shift for years to complete my education. I got my BSN and then my DNP while working nights which allowed me to study during slower periods (irregular periods for sure but they add up). It also allowed me to get my clinical hours in during the day. It can be done but I gotta be honest it stinks

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Specializes in School health, pediatrics.

Night shift patient sitter. I got so much homework done while my patient slept.

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

I worked in the rehab department as a lift tech night shift throughout nursing school. Did all my weekend studying there and got the hospital experience during my rounds. Really enjoyed it and it helped out so much. Definitely look for a nightshift position somewhere (I wouldn't recommend CNA at a hospital). I had several former classmates that were night shift caregivers, both through an agency and private to make ends meet. I would look into getting your certificate for being a monitor tech/unit secretary. Probably one of the easiest, good paying job in the hospital IMO and definitely a job you can study at for night shift.

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I found out we can't work nights during the week, only Friday/Saturday, but I'm still going to look for something during those days. Right now, I'm just going back to days in my retail position and switching to very part time with the ability to pick up hours as I can. I've been looking at a few of these suggestions though-I just can't do much yet as I'm still full time until the last minute before my quarter starts. I need the income while I can get it.

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