What is/was your job going through grad school?

Published

Going through the MSN program and working in a nursing position, would you recommend working a 3 12-hour shifts schedule, a M-F dayshift schedule, or doing something totally unrelated such as being a waitress with a varied schedule (all with an overall goal of doing well in school and being able to pay bills). I realize many factors play into this, but I'm curious about what current and past students have done. What has worked well for you? What hasn't worked well for you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I'd say that in my cohort, there were as many different answers to this as there were students. A few were able to go without working. one worked two full time jobs and went to school full time, I'm not sure if she ever slept. Several were night shifters, some pulled six in a row, so they could have eight off. Others, were day shifters, or part time. Some took less taxing positions where they could focus on their school work as well, others took more taxing positions that would give them "experiences" they felt would be helpful. It really depended on their personal situation. How much money did they need? Where were they professionally, personally, family situation, etc. How supportive was the spouse. What kids situation did they have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday day shifts in the CCU. It paid my bills and my tuition, so I graduated from my Master's program without debt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-surgical telemetry.

I'm doing 3 12's, nights. I am in the online portion of my program and it is working just fine. Once I hit clinicals next fall, I will likely move to day shift and possibly drop to 2 12's. Night shift wastes a day a week for me on my "flip" day where I come home from work, sleep until 1, am up until 9 like a useless zombie and then I go back to sleep. Once I am doing clinical and working I'll need an extra day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I stopped working in June to focus full time on school. My doctoral capstone begins this summer on top of everything else. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Something had to give in order to continue to be successful

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ortho, tele, PCU, GI.

I'm working 3 12's in an Urgent Care setting and I go to school part time. I have been able to apply my didactic and clinical experiences at work and it has really helped pull it all together.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been relief staff at a couple places and this seems like it will work well for me going to school, especially since during the night at the psych hospital we sometimes have big chunks of "down time" that can, in theory, be devoted to sneaking in some studying or doing assignments.

However, an opportunity for outpatient work with a brand new community outreach team popped up, so I applied for that and was offered the job. It will mean a significant pay cut, more day care, and less opportunity to "study on the job," but it sounds like it will be great in the job satisfaction department as well as hopefully open up some doors after I graduate, so I'm going to go ahead and try for it. The schedule is supposed to be "flexible," whatever that means, so I'm really hoping maybe that means I can work around finals or exams or whatnot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for your input. Reading your experiences really does help, and I welcome even more comments so that I may make the best decision for my situation. I wish everyone the best!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was working as a supervisor in a home health agency but was forced to stop during my second semester due to my work schedule of 8-5 which is in conflict with my clinicals. I'm on my last semester. Relying on savings, student loan, grants, and scholarships. Been praying a lot to find a job as soon as possible after graduation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ABMT.

I work inpatient, 3 12s a week, but I've saved up my PTO so I'm on a paid leave of absence during a big chunk of my final semester. Highly recommend doing that if you can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing, Critical Care Nursing.

I currently work 20 hours a week in critical care (PRN)....but I go to school full time. Right now my schedule, because I can essentially walk into my unit and choose my hours, are 7p-7a on Sunday, and 11p-7a on Monday. I'm married so my husband takes up most of the slack financially.

Our program allows us to bank clinical hours between semesters, so I can keep this schedule well throughout school and not take the entire last semester off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im in my fnp full time. During my first semester i worked 3 12's nightshift. It was horrible and I found myself missing deadlines for school. And im single/no children so I dont have any "extra" responsibilities. I am now switching to 2 12's overnight shift and taking a loan to help pay. This will work out much better for me!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion