What is/was your job going through grad school?

Nursing Students NP Students

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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?

Most of my class works 3-12s at the hospital affiliated with the nursing school, and get 100% tuition reimbursement. But they are pretty much miserable. Given that we have two full days of clinical each week, that only leaves 2 days to do studying, personal things, etc. And there are a lot of class requirements. Just this week we had a take-home exam, a lengthy care plan, a case study, a smaller write-up required and a test. I was working 3-12s at a non-affiliated hospital but cut it way back, I just couldn't do it. I went down to 2-12s and just went down to an 8 and a 12.

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This has become such a helpful thread, and I thank you all for your comments! I am still waiting on my acceptance/rejection letter, but trying to plan my finances early on will hopefully alleviate some stress later (if I make it in).

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

The first two terms I plan on working my 3 to 4- 12's and then when clinical starts we will see. so far my work is very flexible though and I do have about 2 hrs per day I can actually read or work on homework if needed since I'm the only nurse there. We work 7a-7p during the week and on sat/sun the schedule is 8a-8p. Week 1- I'm off on Tue, Wed, Thur and Sat, and the following week I'm off on Wed, Thur, Fri, then go back to repeating week 1. It's nice because I get three days off in a row each week during the week so it may work with clinicals too. =)

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I am starting the program fall 2014. Currently I am working every Saturdays and Sundays. So am hoping that this work well for me once the program starts.

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I currently work Mon-Fri 7-330, and I plan on doing that until my clinical year which will be Spring 2016. After that I may do some home health shifts are just stop completely not sure yet.

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I currently work 3-12s as this gives me more flexibility to get my assignments completed. My shifts are Sat, Sun, Mon which once I start clinicals would be perfect. However, I am searching for a new position that will allow me to transition into my NP role upon graduation. I have been compiling cold contact letters to deliver to prospective employers. I am only in my 3rd class of my NP school so I have plenty of time to search for the ideal position and am hopeful I can find that before graduation. I think each person is different and can basically make anything work if they put their mind to it. Good luck!

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Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

It took me 3 years to complete my program. The first year and half, i worked 3 12 hr shifts in different settings. In my last year, i changed jobs and took a weekend position, so it would leave room during the week, for clinicals and the didactic classes. This worked for me because i was working part-time but getting full time pay.

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I did two 10's during the week and a weekend 8hr shift. I would also recommend saving up vacation time and using some each pay period to supplement your paycheck..

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I work in an outpatient care setting ,5 days per/wk M-F 8am-4:30pm, so I take annual leave to do my clinicals. Sometimes I do clinical on Satuarday to add up my hours. This has been working for me thus far, but it is hard.

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Bump. Interesting thread as I apply to schools

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Interesting thread!

My experience. I am about to start clinicals next semester and about to change (not sure how though).

But so far, I worked 3 night12h shifts, every other weekend. I was not able to study at work much (I am constantly distracted at work), but was able to print something, put everything together, organize and read assignment, look for articles, etc.

I took as much online classes as I could, even though they are more challenging. But last 2 semesters I had to come to campus 1-2 a week.

I have one child and started my program when she was 1 year old. She is in daycare since 2 years old. And every weekend that I do not work, I spent 100% of my time with her, and evenings too. My husband is a bread winner, does not participate much in child activities.

It is working out so far, but I do not know how it is going to be with clinicals...

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I have a rotating 3/4 schedule 7a to 7p. I plan on working this until clinicals and then I will use my PAL time for days off.

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