Working while Attending School

[RNSuzq1]

Many of you have stated that you've managed to attend school full-time, work and keep your families together. I'm just wondering what types of jobs you all have - hours, etc.?

I'm hoping to get into the Fall Nursing Program at my school as a full-time student. I'm currently the Director of a local Senior Center and as much as I "Love" my Seniors and my job - I'll have to leave the job to become a full-time student. Even if I'm not one of the lucky few that get admitted to the Program this Fall - I plan on taking a full course load - so either way, I can't continue with my current job.

We have 3 Sons - oldest is in College, so I definitely have to help out the family finances while going to school. My question is - what types of jobs do those of you who have families and are in school full-time have? My husband has been working the dreaded (4 in a row) 12 hour night shifts -Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday - at a local hospital for the last 18 years as a Peri-Natal Therapist. Let's just say - he's a little burned out!!! He's worked those awful hours all these years because of the night and weekend shift-differentials (pays much, much better than the day shifts).

Until I complete Nursing School - he'll have to keep those hours to help support our family. My problem is finding a very flexible part-time job to work around his crazy hours while going to school and still find time to take care of the kids, house, etc. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[LilRedRN1973]

I will let you know after next semester if it can be done (by me, that is)!! I have two kids (4 and 7), a husband who works 7pm to 7am (but has to leave by 6pm to get there), will be in school full time (nursing school) Mon-Thurs, and will be working in the ICU at the hospital as a Nurse Apprentice Fri. and Sat. from 6:30am to 7pm. I have a feeling my house will not be the cleanest on the block until summer rolls around!!! Spring cleaning? Bah!!!

[stressgal, RN]

I gave up my full time "professional" career so I could attend nursing school. I have a daughter who is in college and money is very tight! But it is do-able, thanks to my wonderful husband who understands the importance of my education. I am currently working two days a week as an STNA (CNA for those not in Ohio) mainly for the experience, but the money helps pay for my books and gas. I fall in that catch 22 where we make too much money for grants, so I am utilizing student loans. I look at it as an investment in the future, my future earning potential will more than double what I was making prior to school. I am trying to utilize my organizational skills by menu planning, as well as scheduling my study time. I believe if you have the desire and motivation you can accomplish anything! It also helps to have loved ones who encourage you along the way.

Good luck, I KNOW you can do it!

[klone, MSN, RN]

I have an internet business, and that takes up about 6 hours a week of my time. I also work at home as an editor, and I work about 2 hours a day on that. So I'm making pretty good money, it's all from home and extremely flexible. I feel very fortunate. I will continue doing this until second year when I hope to get an externship, at which time I'll quit my editing job (money's better with editing, but it's not what I *want* to be doing).

[U_South_Al_RN2B]

Well hell....I'm single, in a BSN program and I work about 3 or 4 days a week as a PCA/Student Nurse at a hospital. Sounds rough huh :)

[LuckyLadybug]

I started back to school in the summer taking 5 classes and working 32 hours a week on the third shift in an accounting office plus having to take care of my 4 year old I was lucky to have my parents to help me with her at night. I am now going into the spring semester taking 4 classes but luckily I only will be working 16 hours a week Saturday and Sunday so I can devote more time to studying and my daughter.

[Betty_SPN_KS, LPN]

I only work 4 hours a week. I'm glad I don't have to work more than that right now. I know there are people who do it and some have to. But I tell people, if you have to work full-time, take the part-time nursing school program. That's just my advice. No sense getting worn down and getting overwhelmed, maybe sick and having to quit. It's hard enough as it is. I know some are able to do it somehow, though.

[career seeker]

I have a two year old and I work part-time as a medical assistant in a peds clinic. My boss is a ANP and she is very accomodating to my school schedule. I occasionally teach CPR for extra cash. I let them know what days I am avialable ans they set up the classes for me. I am also an EMT so, when I have the chance, I run on our volunteer ambulance service (technically we are paid but at $8/hr, you do not do it for the money.)

I found out the key to keeping up with all of this is maintaining a good schedule. Every moment of my day is scheduled with time allowed for flexibility. Daughter goes to bed at 9, pick up/clean up until 10, study 10pm-1am. Sounds anal but it is what got me through last semester (I am a chronic procrastinator)

I am one of the lucky women who's husband works 1PM-12AM but comes home and does laundry dishes, cleans the house...whatever needs to be done. He woudl prefer that I did not work at all but I also fall into that catch 22 where I do not make enough to pay bills were I not to work but I make too much to qualify for grants.

Heather

[loriann, BSN, RN]

Currently, I am working as a social worker in a hospital, full-time, and taking classes part-time. If all goes as I hope, I will start a full-time accelerated BSN program in the summer. So, I would have to stop working, which is alright with my husband since it is only for a year. Unfortunately, I make too much money now to apply for aid, so I will have to go the loan route and hope that a hospital will take over my loans.

[ShelleyERgirl, LPN]

Hey y'all. I am a full time ADN student and I work 25 hours a week as a billing clerk for a trucking company. I go to school during the day and go to work from 4:30 -9:30 in the evenings with weekends off. This works out good for study time and fortunately I don't have any one to take care of except me and my three cats. Thank God! I don't know how you all with families do it!

[Vailgang]

I am an LPN and going to start the RN bridge program this month. I work full-time for 2 busy neurosurgeons. I am the only nurse in the office and have been in the office the longest so everyone tends to rely on me too much. I am taking my nursing class online. I will go to clinicals 3-11 on Monday and Tuesdays. Since I live about and hour and half from the hospital where I have to do clinicals I will have to leave my job at 1 on those days. Also I have 4 kids at home, one in college and a husband.

I am not sure what to do. I could quit and it would be tight financially but we would make it. I could go to the float pool at the hospital and work 3 day shifts but I really hate the floor. (also have a bad back). I would like to stay at my office but not sure if I could do it all. Also the office may not be able to work with my schedule. I just don't know.

I was hoping that someone else had the same situation that I do but I don't see it. Any advice??

Jill

[crp2000]

I work 8am-5pm behind a desk all day. My nursing school schedule is two evenings a week and every other weekend. It's definitely HARD, however, with A LOT of 'time management' - it's doable.

It definitely takes an immense amount of motivation. My motivation stems from my desire to take on a job with MEANING & PURPOSE. Corporate America sucks!!

[mauser]

I am a self-employed medical transcriptionist. I have been doing it for 25+ years, so can make full-time money at less than "full-time" time (?). It is also VERY flexible. I can put in a few hours here and there during the day - just so I get it all finished. I had one course last semester, 2 this semester, and start my clinicals in the fall.

I'll let you know how it works out!