Work and Go To School?? Help!

jodyangel, RN · Aug 16, 2005

ummm I can't believe No one has strugglied with this issue before that could give me tips. Unless you're still a kid living at home with mom and dad paying your way..lol.

Hey guys! Help a sister out here!!:rotfl:

Twinkie1 · Aug 16, 2005

I feel that there are a lot of nursing students in your situation. Myself for one I feel your frustration.

Have you inquired about a student loan, or a home equity loan? What is the length of time at current job? Will they work with your school schedual? How much longer do you have in school? Have you inquired about hospital funded student loan? Maybe others can respond with ideas.I wish there was an easy way to get through nursing school without working to death and going broke.If you find the answer let me know. :)

Best Wishes,

Twinkie

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 16, 2005

Unfortunately, many of us don't live with the parents and must work to eat and pay the bills.

There is no easy way. If you work and go to school it is a sacrifice in itself. If cutting hours is not a possibility then you either can go to part-time status at school or take a "light load". If you don't wish to do that either then you don't have much choice other than to continue doing both, getting little sleep etc.

There is no real advice here, other than what you already know. Wish there was though :) . The instructors at school tell us that if you feel you can't juggle between school and work then maybe it is not the right time in your life to go back to school. I still defy that because I am sure that this is my one and only chance to do it and keep my job as well.

It is not easy, but is is doable. Many are living proof of that and are very successful individuals. Best of luck to you. :)

Twinkie1 · Aug 16, 2005

I like your response :) Well said.

Hope you have a great school year!

Twinkie :balloons:

Bird2 · Aug 16, 2005

Ok so I posted this in response down below but thought it might get more attention here on its own. I currently work 4 12hr. shifts at our local hospital. They Only do 12 hour shifts..so Im wondering how I will do my clinical year and work. I carry the benefits for my family, and I need my paycheck to pay bills...so I dont have the option of just not working and going to clinicals.
Has anyone worked this one out? I assume I will have to leave the hospital setting and go to a nursing home while I do my clinicals....but I hate leaving my job. Thanks for your input!!

I did work 45+ hours a week and go to school full time. I have a husband a 2 kids. The majority of my class did the same thing. It was hard but we all needed the money and our benefits. The time does fly so when you think you are going to drop from exhaustion suddenly the program is done. Of course it is best if you don't work but I did not have that option. Talk to your manager and ask if there are flexible hours while you attend school. Most places are thrilled when an employee wants to become a nurse and will work around the school schedule. Then you can adjust your study time accordingly. Good luck it will all be worth it in the end.

DDRN4me · Aug 16, 2005

Like Bird, i have been working and going to school for eons! Talk to your manager...you may be able to work evenings or weekends to accomodate your clinicals. i worked 1-12 hr day during the week, evenings and 12 hour weekends while i did my clinicals (which i found actually helped me, since i had more experiences than alot of my peers who werent LPNs) it takes a lot of perseverence and patience from both you and your family. you didnt say if you had children, mine were in middle school when i started and one graduated from HS while i grad from NS! good luck, you can do it!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

You work four days a week, you are going to have to schedule your clinicals around those three days off. Probably you're going to have to work every weekend.

I worked evening shift during nursing school and worked every weekend. It sucked not having a day off ever, but I was driven to become a nurse. That's the bottom line, when there's a will, there's a way.

Clinicals are done in a variety of settings. Unfortunately you can't do your clinicals while you work.

Good luck!

jodyangel, RN · Aug 16, 2005

Well the meeting this am with our DON was well worth it! She's a person who believes in continuing education Strongly..and is behind us fully. Me and another LPN went into the meeting this not knowing what she would say.

Basically she wanted to know what she could do to help us. She said the hospital system (CHS) has scholorships and we would be given that. They would pay entirely for our education and would work with us so we could keep our working up and our benefits. She would include us in the weekend program (that only RNs can do at the time)...and that means you work 2 12hr shifts and get paid for about 3 12hr shifts. We could then pick up a day during the week when we could OR wanted to .. to supliment our income. By giving us all our tuition I will have to give the hospital 3 yrs. of working for them as an RN. I think its a pretty good deal..how about you?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 16, 2005

I like your response :) Well said.
Hope you have a great school year!
Twinkie :balloons:

Thank you kindly. I wish the best school year too.

MiaLyse, APRN · Aug 17, 2005

Well the meeting this am with our DON was well worth it! She's a person who believes in continuing education Strongly..and is behind us fully. Me and another LPN went into the meeting this not knowing what she would say.
Basically she wanted to know what she could do to help us. She said the hospital system (CHS) has scholorships and we would be given that. They would pay entirely for our education and would work with us so we could keep our working up and our benefits. She would include us in the weekend program (that only RNs can do at the time)...and that means you work 2 12hr shifts and get paid for about 3 12hr shifts. We could then pick up a day during the week when we could OR wanted to .. to supliment our income. By giving us all our tuition I will have to give the hospital 3 yrs. of working for them as an RN. I think its a pretty good deal..how about you?

We are offered the same thing. Work 24 hours, get paid for 36 and tuition is paid for in full in exchange for a 2 yr. contract as an RN with a minimum 16 hr/week commitment.

I think it's a good deal and best of luck to you in school! :)

Kelly

luv4nursing · Aug 17, 2005

I think you have been offered a great option and I would definitely take advantage of it! You cant beat getting paid for more than you work plus tuition! Good luck to you!