Work While In School?

jenniek · Apr 4, 2006

Interesting discussion
- The standard for a profession is a degree from a university, not an associates. It is of no matter that most RNs are ADNs, the program should go away as it did in Canada for the benefit of the profession.
- I agree with a previous poster that we really should be heading toward MSN prepared RNs as the standard anyway. even OT and PT has done that, nsg is the hold out. The excuse is always the same, "hospitals need RNs we cant institute a nation wide BSN (let alone MSN) standard or the nsg shortgae will get worse. Its exactly that sortof BS that holds back nursing and nurses in general. Its going to get worse regardless of the profession. Nursing, as a rule, alienates 50% orso of he workforce with its current PR and education, MEN. Head more toward science, the medical model and higher standards and that will change. Until then 90% of the public sees nurses as diploma women (or gay men) ass wipers who will do more for less because they care. No surprise, nursing does nothing to change that opinion either in its actions or education.
As for me becomming a masters prepared instructor for nursing, i have absolutely no interest. They dont pay, there is no respect and the establishment isnt willing to change. Nursing still manages to fall back on the crutch of "Nurses Care". How nice is that, sadly it absolutely denegrates the profession within the realm of medicine (read: science) driven health care.

Fine points. I guess my point is if you are not going to be a change agent...it does no use to complain. I don't think I could be a nursing instructor either....

I agree it would be nice for BSN to be the entry level nurse, but I don't see it happening. Not sure why. I think it's more than just the shortage, or nurses leaving the work force or the older population. Is it political? Who knows...

My husband, who has a business degree, also feels that an associates degree is not a real degree. Since that was my first degree, there have been a few issues over that one.....:angryfire And we've had many discussions, but not so many since I've obtained my BSN from a not so lackluster program. Who knows what the whole push to doctorate of nursing science degree will bring forth?

Back to studying.....

susswood · Apr 4, 2006

By the way.... (if I can jump back about 5 pages), working while in a CRNA program is not entirely impractical. I have a 3-year-old.... which takes up at least as much time as a few hours of work here and there. So, if you don't have kids.... you can probably pull a shift on occasion. If I had the time, I would.... cause debt sucks.

Reminds me of that movie SuperTroopers and how they take bets on how many times the officer can say "meow" during a pullover.

I just LOVE that scene!

:lol2:

CatLVNRN · Apr 5, 2006

I worked weekends, 32 hours in two days, to keep my insurance etc and get bills paid while I went to nursing school. I did that for 3 years until I got all my pre-requisites and my ADN. The last year of nursing school, I managed to squeeze in having a baby, too!

*flexes*

That said, I do NOT recommend trying it! lol

Spastic Airway · Apr 6, 2006

I will be starting CRNA program this January (2007). I do not plan on working at all, I am married with twins that are 8 years old. I am fortunate enough to be able to pay for a small house, so no house payment! I feel that this is too important and I would like to spend as much free time as possible with the family. I have heard the 60-80 hours a week is the norm. Good luck to anyone that can do it and still graduate.

JessicRN · Apr 12, 2006

I will be starting CRNA program this January (2007). I do not plan on working at all, I am married with twins that are 8 years old. I am fortunate enough to be able to pay for a small house, so no house payment! I feel that this is too important and I would like to spend as much free time as possible with the family. I have heard the 60-80 hours a week is the norm. Good luck to anyone that can do it and still graduate.

When I was going back to school in Quebec Canada for my Degree I worked 24 hr every 2 weeks (3 8 hr shifts) in a hospital as an RN. In my school pretty much everyone worked at least 24 hrs every 2 weeks and they were already RNs

Not saying it was easy but it was a necessity (At the time in the late 80's we could not give up our positions as it was almost impossible to get another job. The amazing thing was only one person of our study group did poorly.I did not have any children only a husband. I absolutely admire mothers going back to school.

London88 · Apr 12, 2006

I worked all the way through school. However, I completed 18 MSN core credits prior to didactic which allowed me to work full time. I completed the program in 3 years and worked every Saturday unless I was on call, and yes I do have kids which is primarily the reason why I had to work still!

Spastic Airway · Apr 12, 2006

Life, finances, and family all make each experience during graduate school unique for each person. Work or not depends on the need for money vs. school demands vs. family(children) needs. I would work if needed, my wife is an RN and will support us. I feel blessed to be in the situation I am in, I should have every advantage to do well in school (CRNA). I choose to spend as much free time with the kids as possible, I realize all would do this is they could. Good luck to all, Life is good! CRNA HERE I COME!!

stklgs · Apr 17, 2006

I have six more shifts to go :biggringi . My focus will be on anatomy and physiology courses for the next 8 weeks prior to starting anesthesia clinicals in July..

mysticalwaters1 · Apr 17, 2006

My first 2 years of school I did 2, 8 hours shifts a week as a cashier at Walmart. Mostly Fri evening and saturday. Worked out well but as we got into more clinical I had to cut back because I would not work the same day as clinical and then classes were spread out and couldn't work shifts in between. That would only leave 8 hous on sat but then I had a hard time keeping up with my work and sleep. My third year I did 4 hours on fri and 4 on sat. My manager was annoyed with it but put up with it. Finally even that I couldn't handle. I had to totally focus on school and clinical so I quit my job. I had help from my uncle thank god and loans so I was good but needed the job prior to this time. So just last 2 years of school I wouldn't work at the same time. I did work for 6 weeks at a hospital as a tech for the summer for money. But overall I found it too hard to incorporate school and a job. My first 2 years were mostly gen eds which was why I could work but when it was all nursing I couldn't. Too much to do.

My mom worked full time and went to school for 2 years an extended program to get her LPN and take care of the family. I have NO idea how she did it. And the last poster about 32 hours in a weekend, and a baby WOW! I can't imagine. I guess you do what you have too but ouch!

MidLifeRN2012 · May 3, 2006

I also have to keep my 9-5 daytime accounting job until I get thru school and pass the NCLEX. Not quitting my $35k salary unless Im guaranteed a nursing job. I need my salary to make ends meet as I am a single mom and receive no child support. Also, since I already have a bachelors degree, I can no longer get federal grant money, only loans, which I want to keep to a minimum as I am already paying on my original student loan.

The challenge is finding a nursing program geared to students who are switching careers and need to work days while in school. I found 1 in the Chicago area and it is only offered to those with Bachelors degrees seeking a BSN. It can be done in the evening/weekend. There are no community colleges in Chicagoland that offer evening/weekend class times/clinical times after 5:00 pm or on weekends.

kjt2004 · May 3, 2006

I am currently in my second semester of a CRNA program and i am working. I am single and i don't have anyone else but myself to look at to pay the bills. I work one day a week to supplement my loans. I have no social life...so that is the downfall. I study at least 6-8hrs/5-6 days a week...more if i have to.

In addition, I work on our breaks.

The summer semester is approaching and i am finally being forced to stop. I took out a private loan to cover my expenses.

Good luck

Hey All
So for all the post grads and pre grads;
Did/are you working during school? If so, how much? What is reasonable to expect?
Im not in a bind for money when school comes, but I wouldnt mind making a few extra bucks to take some heat off my wife. What is reasonable to expect?
thanks!

MmacFN · May 3, 2006

certainly sounds like the ability to work may be somewhat related the tempo of the program your in eh? Integrated vs non-integrated, longer program vs shorter time for same material etc.

I am lucky that i dont have to work, but i wouldnt mind keeping my hands in stuff in the hospitals.