Work part-time or full-time while in nursing school?

Katie71275 · Nov 13, 2012

I would say full time, no. Part time, depends on what the job is. I can tell you that if I had to worry about work also in the first 3 quarters of school, no way could I have done it. But I am also not a single young person..I am married with 4 kids and responsibilities..but I do know younger students with no spouse/kids who worked and did not do as well(or failed out). I am working now (started this summer-20-24hrs a week) as a nurse tech at a local hosp. It gives me extra money, and I can study there as well if it's slow.

Still Standing · Nov 13, 2012

It all depends on you and your situation, and the program you at. Nursing school is hard no matter where you go period, and stressful. But every program is different as far as the work load and pace. I would say, feel it out first then after your first test or first couple weeks determine your schedule, if you have to work, and have financial responsibilities, then you don't have a choice really. But if you have help then use it. Just about everyone in my class work 25-40 hours a week, because they have to, and they have kids, and other burdens as well, yes its hard, its stressful, but we get through it, because we have to, there's no such thing as failing to us. If you constantly tell yourself why you're doing it then it motivates you. Good Luck

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

Hey, I'm also a 23 y/o male attending my local community college's school of nursing. I totally recommend dropping down to a part-time status, while I did fine working full-time and handling a 12 credit load to complete pre-reqs; I realized that when I hit nursing classes I would not be able to do the same. Our Nursing I course is 8 credits but we have class Monday form 5pm-9pm, then Tuesday we have skills lab from 6pm-7pm which we are told our patient assignment for clinical, we then have to go to the facility and read the chart to prepare for clinical which is Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm to 11:30pm. It is stressful but do-able while working part-time, I happen to work for a facility that offers PCT's 12 hour shifts which is great because I just have to work 2 days a week to fulfill my part-time obligations.

Best of Luck!

LCinTraining · Nov 13, 2012

I work full time and it is brutal. So far it is doable, but I've given up on getting A's.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

I worked full time my first three semesters, but by the end of my third, I was going down to part time hours. I'm in practicum now, and I couldn't work full time. I'm in the ER on nights, so there's just no way I could manage it. After three 12's, I'm worn out and need a day to recharge.

Lukes089 · Nov 13, 2012

I appreciate your opinions. I'm currently leaning towards part time work because I want to do well in my classes, not just make the grade. I have no kids, and little financial obligations.

calinursestudent818 · Nov 13, 2012

I'd recommend part time for sure and then if you can manage (& afford) not working during the last 4-5 months of so of nursing school that would probably be ideal.

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Nov 13, 2012

I just got a PRN tech position so I can work as my schedule allows. There are 4 techs on my unit that attend my school (our NM is a graduate of our school) and we're all PRN. We're only obligated to work two 12 hour shifts every 6 weeks and we can also work 4 or 8 hour shifts if that's all we have time for. We self-schedule 6 weeks out so I can look at my class schedule and not work the afternoons/weekends that I need to study. Works great!