To all students who also work.....

nurse2be in ny · Dec 10, 2003

If you can get work in the health care field, that's probably your best bet. Not only will you possibly get your foot in the door someplace, but the skills you pick up are invaluable. I worked for four years as a psych technician in an emergency department, and I learned so much. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Dec 10, 2003

Originally posted by nurse2be in ny
If you can get work in the health care field, that's probably your best bet. Not only will you possibly get your foot in the door someplace, but the skills you pick up are invaluable. I worked for four years as a psych technician in an emergency department, and I learned so much. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

I guess it depends if you are working for experience, or working to survive. I don't think anyone can survive on $7.00 an hour if you have your own place and only have one income. JMO

2005 Nurse · Dec 10, 2003

I haven't started my actual nursing classes. but have taken a full load (16 hrs in the spring) and work PT for Starbucks.

I am a supervisor so I make $9/hour + tips (up to $2/hr). I work between 25-30 hours (less during finals, or when my load is particularly heavy). I really enjoy it, plus they offer full time health benefits (health, dental, vision) for PT work.

I will stick with it until I graduate, because I really enjoy the people and the work, and my boss is very understanding with the schedule.

Koonie · Dec 10, 2003

Hey there,

I work as a prison guard, the pay is decent ~$18/hr, benes are great, 6 weeks vacation starting, and I can study at work, (11pm-7am). Down side is you can't do it part time, so I don't sleep much. Good luck!

Jeff

sprtbikegrlsv65 · Dec 10, 2003

:eek: I'm kind of worried about this as well. I work full time days right now...$12.25 an hour, but i want to go to school full time days so that i'm done in 20 months (diploma RN) but i have no idea how i'm gonna make ends meet as far as a job goes. i'm thinking of waitressing, but i've NEVER had to take any jobs like that so i don't know how the $$ is!

since i was in high school i've been either a CNA, manager, and worked in the mortgage industry (where i'm at now) but i really want to be a nurse!

craziness!

:rolleyes:

goober4699 · Dec 10, 2003

I work as a unit assistant in an inner city hospital (covered under University of penns belt) Its good money ($19 an hour) and they work around my schedule. My mom's a nurse there so she sorta got my foot in the door, however I have made my name for myself. In fact I have heard when I am off or in school, the place falls apart without me LOL!

sunshineclarity · Dec 10, 2003

I work at Target, who is very great about working around your hours, plus I will be starting soon at a hospital (as a CNA) where they will let me work as little as 4 hours a day, whenever I can get there after school.

SirJohnny · Dec 11, 2003

JENRN2BMICHIGAN & Others:

- Regarding living on US$7/Hour.

- Lots of folks do this in Pennsylvania & Inidiana, except in the big cities.

- I agree, no way could you do this in Denver, Co or in downtown Philadelphia. However, I worked in Pittsburgh, PA, as a "floater" (travel from site to site as needed), and met lots of folks who were supporting themselves on $7/hour.

- For an amazing number of these folks, this was their "career". Lots had been there for 10+ years.

- I can't imagine the mental boredom of sitting in a guard shack 8 hours a day 5 days a week for 10+ years at little over minimum wage.

-----------

- For me, the nice part was the overtime -- plus lots and lots of 12 hour shiifts. Would actually pull 24 hour shifts sometimes. It was the summer, I was not in school, and needed the money.

- If someone was going to rob the place -- like who is going to rob a warehouse full of newspaper print -- then I would have just handed them the keys and walked away.

-----------

- As far as being a prison guard -- seems a little dangerous to me. I'll stick to guarding warehouses full of paper.

Gotta run,

John Coxey

luv2yoga · Dec 15, 2003

John, sounds like you found a job where they paid you to study! That's not bad.

Meredith

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 15, 2003

CA/Phlebotomist at a hospital 32 hrs/week, then as a receptionist 8 hours on weekends.

LilRedRN1973 · Dec 15, 2003

i'm thinking of waitressing, but i've NEVER had to take any jobs like that so i don't know how the $$ is!

I have been a waitress since I was 18 (quit waiting tables last year at age 29). I would make anywhere from $14 to $18 when tips were averaged in. When I lived in Texas, I made $2.13 an hour plus tips. In Nevada, I received $5.15 an hour plus tips. The best paying waitressing job I ever had was in a strip club (and NO, I didn't go around topless...I got to be covered up). I made approximately $300 a night for serving drinks. But it's a sucky job to have, mentally, and I only lasted about 6 months.

I used to love waiting tables, although it's a demanding and often difficult job. The one thing I'm really grateful for is the experience I got waiting tables will help me in nursing. What I'm talking about is the ability to deal with ALL kinds of folks...from ALL walks of life. I have had to deal with so many different personalities, tempers, families, etc. As a result, I'm pretty good with people. That being said, I will never go back to waiting tables. I think I'm burnt out and I got to where I didn't enjoy it anymore. My family owns several restaurants and my mother offered to let me take them over at one point. My response was a resounding "NO".

Waiting tables is a great way to put your way through school, but if you can find a position at a hospital, nursing home, etc. that is even better. You will get experience while earning money. I'm hopefully getting an apprentice position in January that pays $14 an hour and will probably lead to an RN position once I graduate.

My husband works at a prison here in town as a Correctional Officer. He makes $21.37 an hour and has plenty of time to do his homework (9pm to 5am, 5 days a week....soon to be 7pm to 7am, 3 days a week). His job is more dangerous than some, yes, but at least he's watching over them while they are asleep. One of the guys in my nursing program is an officer at the same prison and has enough time to do homework and study that he's pulling grades like 97, 98, etc. while most of us are in the B/C range.

The thing about being a Correctional Officer is it's not a quick job to start. Most have a POST academy you must attend and that takes time. The great thing about waitressing is you can get a job the same day you fill out an application in a restaurant and begin making money within 3 or 4 days. It's a great way to earn money quick. And restaurants don't really care about a resume, etc. This time of year, it should be easy to get a serving job due to the busy holiday season. And if you have a Costco or a Sam's Club nearby, they start at $10 an hour and guarantee 25 hours a week..this includes benefits, which is great!

Sorry to make this so long....I've been struggling with the same issue since we can't afford for me to go another semester without working. I will take a job wherever I can if it comes down to it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the apprentice position at the hospital, though. Pay + experience = You can't beat that!!!

lmolvr · Dec 15, 2003

I work as a cna at a ltc right by my house, and I also work as needed for the lady that lives above me (my hubby and I rent her basement apartment) She has md, and I help her with her cares. Both jobs are flexible with my hours....I can't work very much for the woman above me this semester, but she's very understanding, and their are several of us she employs.

I find the nurses at my facility are more than happy to help me learn .....always willing to answer any question and let me help and observe them. I strongly recommend getting a job in the medical field so that you see what you will be doing some day soon!!

lisa