Working full time and going to school at night.. Need ADVICE

Pat_Pat RN · Apr 13, 2016

Talk to someone at your school and where you are doing clinicals to see if they ever do student internships.

VerticalHorizon · Apr 13, 2016

Why not be a CNA?

lachase12 · Apr 13, 2016

Congrats to you for your hard work and initiative. I was in the same position and it will be something that you can be very proud of. Are you getting grants on anything to help with school so you don't have to work as much? Maybe you could find an desk job at a doctor's office or something if you don't want to spend more time getting your CNA.

helloimesperanza · Apr 13, 2016

Because I cant afford to go to school for it. Most of the schools that offer that program require you to pay full tuition up front or at least half..

helloimesperanza · Apr 13, 2016

Yes I am receiving financial aid but that only helps so much.

seaofclouds21, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2016

If you are interested in getting your foot in the door at a hospital, you could consider any hospital job as a starting point. If you can't work as a CNA because it requires extra training in your area, you could consider working as a unit clerk/secretary, medical records, housekeeping, or anything else. You may not get as much experience with medical aspects of patient care in each of those areas, but you would have your foot in the door at the hospital. If you can't do that, you could always ask about volunteering opportunities in the local hospitals. It may be difficult with your schedule, but it is another consideration.

I worked full time at a grocery store while in nursing school. I didn't have a problem finding a nursing job when I finished school, though I know things are different now and much more competitive in some areas. Good luck!

englishgarden · Apr 14, 2016

Good for you for working so hard to achieve your dream. Just keep moving forward and don't overthink it.Do whatever kind of work you can find and be prepared to have your school schedule change each semester with different clinical hours.I the end you will have a rewarding career and always be able to take care of yourself!

Xlorgguss · Apr 14, 2016

One side of me wants to say find a PCT job because that will get you everything you need. It will get you the experience, connections, and a decent pay as well as potentially tuition assistance. With working inpatient you have the benefit of having multiple shifts (day, evenings, nights) which can be helpful when working around clinical and lecture.

Then again at the same I wish I wasn't in the medical field/direct patient care role because that is my life virtually 24/7. I work 5 8's a week and my two days off are spent at school doing lecture and clinical.

The ideal situation for me would be to have a job that pays the bills that isn't completely exhausting and stressful a my primary job and work per diem as a PCT. In my case I think it would be silly to do that since I have two semesters left (after this one). If I was just starting out that is the route I would go.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 14, 2016

There are some nursing homes that have CNA classes/certifications and or tuition reimbursement for same. You would have to research to see if there's any in your area.

Speak to your academic advisor and see if there's a summer class, and you could reapply for grants/loans. I also wouldn't rule out EMT. To get a job at an EMT company many offer tuition reimbursement. Again, something you could take in the summer.

You will just have to do a little research and see what is offered as far as financial assistance in the summer schedule.

If your parents are willing and fill out FAFSA forms, they can apply for parent plus loans. And if denied, gives you a little extra for your student loans.

Make sure you tell your academic advisor that you want to be able to do CNA/EMT whichever one assists you in getting your foot in the door where you live based on available jobs.

Best wishes!

RNforLongTime · Apr 14, 2016

Most facilities in my area, including Nursing homes, will pay you while in training so long as you work for them for X amt of time. I was in my junior year of nursing school when I got a job as a CNA in a local nursing home. They were also very good about working around my clinical schedule. I worked every weekend and either the Thurs/Fri before or the Mon/Tues after depending on how clinicals went that semester. I worked for them 10 months after graduating until I could get full-time at a local hospital because I knew working in LTC wasn't for me. The DON told me when I handed in my resignation that she'd hire me back at any time :)

Also check out local hospitals, that way you'd have your foot in the door upon graduation. Wish I had done that when I was still in school! Good luck!

CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA · Apr 14, 2016

I know how you feel. I worked full time while being married and paid for everything out of our salaries. I was a Paramedic so I had plenty of experience and worked in the ER while going to school. I suggest getting your CNA/CTA while in school and start working in a hospital, nursing home, or physician's office. You can normally do that I one semester, not sure if they have it at your school or not. Trust me in saying that your sacrifice will pay off.