Working full time In nursing school

JoseQuinones · Jun 29, 2015

I did. I continue to (I am finishing my BSN). It is hard work. Tips?

1. Get enough sleep. You will bomb your tests if you do not give your mind rest time to chew what you are learning. Now, more than ever, prioritize sleep. Exercise and a social life will have to take second place.

2. Start studying for the NCLEX now. Do not put it off. Get a good review course like Kaplan or Incredibly Easy or Hearst and start working it. As you study for the NCLEX now, it will help you to fine tune your nursing studies so you can see where you need to spend the most time on specific material in nursing school. If you work full time, some things will just have to go. You need to master the essentials and learn to filter the rest into important and maybe important. Your goal is to pass that all-important NCLEX.

3. Avoid extracurricular entanglements. The full time students who run for nursing association president and spend time planning study buddy trips to the beach either have Dad or Mom footing the bill or will graduate with mountains of debt. Stay away from this crowd. No hiring manager cares if the school gave you a medal for leadership in the student council. They want to see that you passed the NCLEX.

4. Leave work at work when you go to class, but not necessarily vice versa. Take flash cards for your lunch break, put the Quizlet app on your phone, and practice a little every day. Labs, chemistry values, and such take time to master and will not come easy. As an example, on the NCLEX, you will not be asked to regurgitate the numbers of a good oxygenation level; it is never that simple "memorize and recall." Instead you will be expected to analyze a question that gives you clues as to the patient's oxygenation levels in light of something else, or many other something elses. It takes a lot of time for your mind to start making these connections.

5. Stop worrying about money. You are investing in you, and risks must be taken.

6. Learn to ask for help. My wife is my rock. She is eager to help, whether it be washing my uniform before clinicals as I rush home from work or bringing my textbook that I forgot. Let the people you depend on know how deeply, desperately you love and appreciate them.

7. It will all be over in a flash. You got this.

P.S. When I first applied to nursing school, job number 1 was to learn English. It was terrifying to apply to an all-English program when I spoke almost none and couldn't read any. But I graduated summa cum laude from my ADN. In fact, I got a medal for having the highest overall GPA of any student in my (very large) cohort. It can be done. You can do this.

Naedejesus · Jun 29, 2015

Thank you so much for that advice it's just what I needed! I don't have much support around me and I do have the choice of working part time but that would put me in a really tight spot. I'm so happy to hear that others have gone through the same. Thank you and goodnlook on your journey obtaining your BSN!

Knot Naturally · Sep 7, 2015

This thread has been really helpful to me as well. I am about to start the nursing program next fall and must work full time.