Who worked during nursing school?

Straydandelion · Oct 10, 2008

I worked but part-time and the learning experience was very helpful.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

I so wish that I could manage to not work while I'm in school, but I'm the main breadwinner for a family of six, with four kids from eleven to two.
When I initially went to find out about the bridge program, I was upfront about the fact that I had to work full time while attending (they asked, I didn't lie). This was before I got pregnant with kidlet #4. The woman was very rude to me about it...I told her that I could see where she would be concerned, but that she didn't know anything about me or my capabilities, and that the electric company wasn't going to care one whit if I was in school or not when the bill came due. After I pointed out to her my GPA of 3.8 and my ACT composite in the 30's, all done while working and raising kids, she shut up. Honestly, knowing that I have all these other obligations makes me more dedicated to making sure that school stuff gets done instead of procrastinating.
What I find funny is that around here the ADN programs are very snotty about working/families/life commitments outside of school, but as soon as you go to bridge to your BSN it's accepted that these are issues. Makes no sense to me, since there seem to be more non-traditional students in the ADN programs than in the BSN bridge programs. My guess is b/c it's cheaper to go the ADN route at the community college for those of us with families, whereas all the BSN bridge students right now don't have as many people dependent on them (either no kids yet or kids are out of the house already). I'm just praying to get through the ADN program with my sanity intact to make it to the BSN bridge!

The primary nursing degree programs tend to be snotty about people working etc because many of the instructors are old school and still subscribe to the theory that you treat students like children. Back in the day, many nursing students were fresh out of high school and didn't have bills to pay. They were being supported by mom and dad, for the most part.

The RN to BSN programs want people to enroll..but I don't know of any RN that would quit working while he/she got their BSN. Most of these programs are smart enough to realize that they have to be willing to meet the needs of working students. It hasn't quite sunk in for a lot of the primary nursing degree programs.

I worked 32 hours a week(40 hours a week during Nursing I)and took call. Wasn't easy but I don't owe anything for my ADN, which is nice. And I didn't just skate by either-graduated with Honors. Take that Mrs X!! Mrs. X was an instructor who predicted I would flunk out if I worked..

CraigBSN02 · Oct 10, 2008

Anyone worked during nursing school?
Eat sleep drink, all about nursing.

If you have to ask this question, then you do not need to work during nursing school. :-)

Those of us that needed to pay rent, eat, put gas in the car, etc. etc.... we worked because there wasn't a choice. If you're a "traditional student" coming right out of high school (and have college paid for) and the credit card/auto companies haven't sunk their twin fangs of debt into you yet, keep it that way. Make school your life, enjoy it, there is nothing like the first time around.

Plus that makes you look good when applying to grad school. Your grades will be better (hopefully) and you can devote time to volunteering and whatnot.

-Craig J.

RN, BSN, and others... :-)

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

Work if you need to....most of us don't have a choice...gotta pay the bills.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

I had no choice but to work-it helped me also get one of only 7 nursing jobs offered to our class of 40+ in the early 90's.

Hard work but I had NO loans because I lived at home and worked. Probably not a reality with the higher cost of tuition now.

otessa

angel337, MSN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

i worked full time. i eventually had to cut my hours, but yes, it was very hard.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

I'm an LPN, working full time on a telemetry/ICU stepdown unit and going full time on my RN.

I have no life

I have sleep deprivation

I have lost my ability to spell

I can't tell you want my family members look like anymore

My washing is so far behind, I need to throw it in the back of the truck and drive thru a carwash

My coworkers are supportive, and try to swap with me if I've got something unexpected come up at school, but my NM's first comment when I told her I'd gotten into the RN program was, "you don't plan on cutting your hours, do you? You were hired to work full time." Can you say "veiled threat?"

My language would embarrass a career navy sailor

I'm having GERD, palpitations from the caffeine, and my nutrition consists of things being passed out of drive thru windows.

Why the hell am I doing this again?

FA to CRNA2b · Oct 10, 2008

Many people do just fine working and going to school.

Some people flunk out without working at all.

It depends on the individual!

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2008

I'm an LPN, working full time on a telemetry/ICU stepdown unit and going full time on my RN.
I have no life
I have sleep deprivation
I have lost my ability to spell
I can't tell you want my family members look like anymore
My washing is so far behind, I need to throw it in the back of the truck and drive thru a carwash
My coworkers are supportive, and try to swap with me if I've got something unexpected come up at school, but my NM's first comment when I told her I'd gotten into the RN program was, "you don't plan on cutting your hours, do you? You were hired to work full time." Can you say "veiled threat?"
My language would embarrass a career navy sailor
I'm having GERD, palpitations from the caffeine, and my nutrition consists of things being passed out of drive thru windows.
Why the hell am I doing this again?

OMG, we're twins! Except I'm not to the full time school thing yet, just taking seven hours this semester...but where there's a will (and coffee) there's a way! We CAN do this! :yeah:

HappyPediRN · Oct 10, 2008

Hi. I worked 40-60 hours/week and graduated from a 4 year program in 2 years and 8 months with a 3.61 GPA by going to school year round. When it has to be done it CAN be done.

lsprrnbr · Oct 10, 2008

I am currently working my way through school. If I had the choice, I would cut back to about 25 horus a week, but it isn't an option right now. Working during school is hard, but it can be done. I am fortunate enough to have an employer that works with me when school requires it. That probably makes a big difference.

Iam46yearsold · Oct 10, 2008

I worked through nursing school. I did not really have to. But I did want extra things so I worked going through school. That and I enjoyed life to the fullest and I still do, in fact I love life. As a student I danced for extra money. Good hours and good pay.