working while doing full time nursing classes

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I am a second semester nursing student. This is actually my 2nd time taking med-surg. I was doing fine my 1st time thru the course, although towards the end my test grades were going down due to stress outside of school with a bf I had. I was working part time as well, I was doing about 20 hours a week. Work for me was more like relax time because I never felt that it interfered with my school, I wasnt stressed with my job. The final was my downfall so I didnt pass and I am now re-taking the course. However, I am wanting to work again b/c I have to pay my bills and I dont qualify for financial aid so that is my way of paying for school. Anyhow I dont know if working would be a good idea because I am paranoid this semester since this is a repeat and I dont want to screw this up :crying2:. Theyre asking me to work 10 hours mondays and fridays, tues thru thurs i have classes so that uses up my whole week. I feel like the weekend I can use for studying but its just not enough when you include clinicals assingments, nln practice exams, assignment, reading ahead, practicing skills. Im in a tough situation but I dont know what to do. Any suggestions?!

Specializes in Case Manager.

Wow, everyone is trying to say DON'T work... but I NEED to work!

If anything, I DON'T have a car nor rides so I have to rely on public transportation to get to/from school and clinicals. I need *some* kind of income so I will at least have bus and cab fare to get to where I need to be.

And yes, I do live at home, but my mom doesn't provide me with pretty much any support besides letting me live and eat there. Thank god, I don't have kids or else I wouldn't be in school right now and stuck in a dead end rut. (no offense to people that have kids).

I also have to pay for my cell phone as well because that's vitally important to me.

Too bad, I've literally put in around a 100 apps and have not landed one job yet... I'm not even gonna get depressed or anything about it because there really is no point. It's easier on yourself to just not give a **** while giving a **** if you get what I'm saying.

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Do you work full time and go to school full time? What classes are you taking or did you take while working full time?

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I work 25 to 30 hours/week and go to school full-time. The $ isn't so much the issue, but I don't want to lose my insurance through work. My employer is really great--letting me keep my full-time bennies while working pt. time. I give them 40 + hrs/week between semesters. It's not easy, but I just keep my eye on the prize. It'll be over before we realize it. A good support system is important and know that some things just have to slide. My house isn't as clean as I'd like it and we eat lots of quick to fix meals, you just have to set your priorites. 1) husband 2) school 3) work. Just hang in there.

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I'm in an ABSN program and work 22 hours/week. If you need to work, and you really want to succeed in school, you'll be able to do both. It's possible, and many people do it!

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Specializes in Paramedic 15 years, RN now.

I'm in fourth semester and have worked full time the entire time! I saved vacation time and have cut back this last leg of the journey. I don't know how I've done it. It can be done! But, everyone has different study requirements. Just learn to survive on 4 hours sleep.

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I agree with everyone...if there is a will there is a way.

I am 22, single mother to two children, and work 40+ hours a week as a caseworker (Medicaid, Food Stamps, TANF). Work is from 8-4:30p and school is 5:30p-10:10p. I have a stressful job, the stress of school, and the stress of being a young parent to a 4 year old and 9 month old. Not a lot of family or friends to depend on or that are understanding. BUT I know it will pay off and although I am missing a lot right now between my children and living my life it will be greater later:) I am not sure how it works but it does. He will never put more on you than you can handle...I have to believe that!

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wow Emmi7, that really amazes me. I guess I'm just the kind of person that stresses myself out so much and I worry and a big part of that is wat consumes so much of my energy that wen I have to study I freak out. But that is just great that you are managing even though your workload is so full. Where do u find time to study?

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Everyone's posts has made me feel better and more positive about what I have to do. I know that when you really want something no matter what, nothing can stand in the way and if you have to work to pay the bills while going to school it is possible, you just have to have that drive in you that won't let you give up Thanks everyone for the feedback! :)

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Specializes in I dream of ICU...one day. ;-).

It can be done. I was in your position. My parents let me move back home rent free when I got into nursing school, but they didn't pay my bills, my tuition or carry me on their insurance. I had to do all that on my own. And I did it. I graduated today!!!! ;-) Now, I didn't have a life, or see my friends as often as I would have liked too...but the sacrifice was worth it. And whenever I would get down on myself I was slapped upside the head by one of my fellow nursing students. She was a year younger than me, a single mom with two kids and NO support system to speak of. She didn't even have family in the area. And she graduated right along side of me tonight. IT CAN BE DONE!!!!

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Specializes in LTAC, ICU, ER, Informatics.

I have to say THANK YOU for everyone posting that they're making it working full time.

Everyone has been harping that you can't even manage a part time job and do RN school. I don't have an option. BUT, I have an incredible boss who's flexing my schedule around my classes, managed to get a 12 hour clinical on Sundays, and have been doing well so afar in school while working.

My kiddo is 13, so she doesn't require me constantly. I have a very high reading & comprehension rate. I am a computer geek (that's what I do for a living now) and have my e-books and electronic flash cards with me all the time so I can study in between whatever is going on. I spend a lot of time at work waiting for things to run, so I can study while I work. I have gone all the way through my reading lists for the 1st semester, and it's impressive, but nothing I can't handle.

I just feel like as long as I keep my ducks in a row and stay focused, that I can do this. I may not make top of my class, but I think I can do well.

It's good to hear that other ppl are doing it regardless of what everyone at school is parroting.

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Just wanted to add my thanks to those who have posted their success stories. I'm going to be starting nursing school next month and will be working full-time on the night shift as well. I've got two young children (21 mo daughter, 1 mo son) and an amazing wife and reading these stories makes me optimistic that I'll be able to handle everything.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I have to work full time as well. The school I was accepted to has a 15 month option, if you do well you go over the summer and graduate in december. I also have about an hour commute. For those successfully working and doing nursing F/T. Would you try for the accelerated or take the summer break?

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