To work or to Not work?

ohcomeon · Aug 9, 2010

If you can swing it financially, it is definitely better not to work. I took a leave of absence at my job (PT retail) and went back during breaks and worked weekends this summer while I took classes. But honestly, there is no way that I am working during fall semester if I can help it. You will need that time to study, clean your house, take care of your kids/family, etc. School definitely will take up a lot of your time! Good luck.

Fitzy819 · Aug 9, 2010

I worked last semester (my first semester in nursing school) and did just fine. I tend to manage my time better the busier I am so working actually helped me plan more time to study. My only suggestion is not to work on days you have class. I worked M-F about 5 hours each evening and some days it was just exhausting if school had been tough that day. This semester I'm working 3 eight hour shifts on days I don't have class. I would say working and school is definitely doable you just have to plan your time well. Good luck!

Disbdestiny · Aug 9, 2010

Thank you so much, your replies definately helped! Being that my class is M-Thur, I will most likely work Fri & Sat if I can. If not, then I'll just quit my job. I'm just scared it'll be too much for me & i'll fail out. Thanks again:)

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Aug 9, 2010

I work throughout the semester but I usually only work 8-12 hours/week, sometimes I won't work for a whole week depending on what I have going on. Nursing school is intense and you definitely don't want work to interfere with your grades!

Gabby_101, BSN · Aug 10, 2010

Of course if you don't have to work, don't, but who can do that, right? I feel the busier I am the better I manage my time as well like another poster said. If you are only taking fundies you should be okay to work. Everyone and every program is different but working while in school can be done. It's a balancing act, is not having a lot of money worth doing better in school or is having more money worth getting just passing grades. Guess it depends what is important to you. After a few weeks of class or at least getting your syllabus you could probably feel out how much studying you are going to need to do and plan work accordingly. Good luck!! :)

dollface6 · Aug 10, 2010

Disbdestiny, I'm in the same boat as you. I don't think there is a universal right answer. I also start my Nursing program in 2 1/2 weeks (on the 25th) and am wondering if I should continue working, or at all. I know that I have to wait and see how intense the program is going to be for me, but I am already freaking out from what I have been reading and hearing! Right now I only work 11-12 hours per week and don't make much at all, already struggling with bills, and just know that it will get worse starting this month with buying books, ATI testing stuff, the uniform and supplies....I'm hyperventilating! I'm trying to figure out a way to increase my work hours (either at the job that I have now or at another job) while also keeping time open for studies...working only on days that I don't have classes may work. I've been having help with the refund that I get from school (shame on me maybe, because it's money I have to pay back, but that money has been keeping me afloat) but this upcoming semester most of my refund will be going to books and supplies. So...I can't NOT work, but don't want a job to get in the way of my studies, but also want to be able to keep my car and apartment....what a catch-22!

Disbdestiny · Aug 10, 2010

i definately don't want work to interfere with my grades Melosaur! Especially since I'm paying out of pockets for it. And Gabby_101 it is true that you manage your time more when you are busier! As i mentioned before, last semester I was taking 17 credits and working 30hrs a week (sometimes more) and I did perfectly fine with almost no social life of course. But I do know it's different when it comes to Nursing school. At least for you dollface6, your work hours won't interfere with school as much being that it's very minimal hours, inspite of it not making much. I'm not making much either. I wish I had a refund check from my school, sounds kinda nice:smokin: I do know what you mean though. I have yet to buy my uniforms, shoes, or the wonderfully $500 ATI package:uhoh3: As far as work, I know I would have to cut down my hours eventually.

P.S.- During our orientation they gave us our syllabus. It is 23 pages long:yeah:

doublehelix · Aug 10, 2010

It all depends on what you can personally handle! If you have the option not to work, maybe try not working for the first few weeks of school.. as it progresses, and you find yourself having loads of free time, or enough free time that you can work for some extra cash, go for it! You probably won't be able to during your later years in school, so you may as well save as much money now as you can.

There are a lot of nursing students who feel as if they cannot work during their pre-courses, because "all" their time is spent studying. It seems you handled tht pretty well, so I would say just give it a try and see what works for you. If it gets too overwhelming, limit yourself to fewer hours a week until you find something that works.

I'm going down to a casual position at my hospital while in nursing school, that way I at least have the option of working if I do have some free time. I'm paying for it out of my pocket, too, so I spent the last year saving up cash for nursing school...

Disbdestiny · Aug 11, 2010

Thank you for your advice doublehelix! I'll start off with a few days and see how that works. I'm so excited!! I can't wait till school starts:redpinkhe