Working full time and nursing school

NightNerd, MSN, RN · Aug 7, 2012

Working full-time will probably be hard. I think there are some evening/weekend RN programs that would allow you the hours to keep your job, but you've still got to have time to study (and, you know, eat and sleep and all that).

Is there any way you can work 2-3 days a week, and save the money you would need for bigger expenses before you start school? I know a couple CNAs where I work who did 36 hours per week on nights, and they put themselves through school that way, so maybe that would be an alternative you can look into with the right training.

For my part, I'm lucky enough that my mama will let me live with her until I finish the program (her parents did the same thing, so she's payin' it forward :). I'll be paying her a small amount every month to help defray the bills at home, and will be working at least part-time as a CNA.

Chaotic94 · Aug 7, 2012

I am still working on my pre-reqs, but I don't think I will work while in nursing school. My plan is to save, save, save to then take out the least amount possible in loans. I will also be living with my mom so that will offset costs tremendously.

Ansumana · Aug 7, 2012

Maybe you could get your schedule change because not only do you have your normal nursing courses but you have your clinicals and given your FT job schedule, your clinicals would interfere with your early morning job. So it's a hard choice. If getting but schedule change or changing jobs isn't an option, have you considered moving back in with your parents or a relative? That would save you a lot of money. If that's not an option what about having a roommate to help you split your living expenses in half? If that's not an option than I really don't know what to tell you

sewin2music · Aug 7, 2012

I will also be attempting the same thing, working full time, school full time and I also have 2 kids. I have a very supportive family and a job that wants me to succeed. Though I am doing a nights and weekends course I will have to use all of my PTO for clinical, that will be during the day. Good luck to you :)

Cali_Nurse_209 · Aug 7, 2012

I don't think working full time will be impossible but it may be difficult during nursing school. I understand there are people out there who need to work to support family and things like that so it can be done. I know a few people who had to work full time and did well in nursing school and graduated. I'll be starting the BSN program in about two weeks and I work nights as a CNA. I used to work full time but changed my schedule to only Friday and Saturday nights. I got lucky because all my nursing classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays so I won't have to worry about going to work on school days so that's great. I worked full time plus a part time job and went to school full time but I know people juggle things differently. I also receive Pell grants and a Cal grant. I live with my fiance and his family to save and cut back on expenses. I've also taken out a small loan. I don't need to work while in school but I really enjoy my job and like the experience I am gaining. You did mention that you work mon-fri 7:30am-4pm and that may be a huge problem because those are hours that you will most likely be attending nursing school. Unless you will be doing an evening nursing program? If not you may want to look into an evening program if it's offered in your area; if you plan to keep your job and attend nursing school. Other than that with you working those hours you may find it hard to find a nursing program to attend. Best of luck to you!!

wannabeRNbrandy · Aug 7, 2012

Thank you all for your input. I work for the state of Ohio so I am unable to move my hours from what they are. I could get another job, but the problem becomes I won't have enough money to pay my bills. I have 2 small children and a house/ car payment so an income loss is not possible so me.

Also, every single nursing program around has Clinicals during the day so they make it impossible to do nights and weekends . I am jut so stuck and frustrated! :-(

tenjuna, MSN · Aug 7, 2012

Just to give you insight into my similar situation...I currently work M-F 7:30a-4:30p - I go to class M-Th 4:45p-9:15p - I study every lunch hour and an hour after class, plus at least 20 hours during the weekends I don't have clinicals. Clinicals are 24 hours over the weekend.

I don't feel like I study enough, and I have 2 teenagers at home, and I obviously have no life. I intend to go part-time work in a couple of months, as the above schedule is simply impossible to maintain. I can't really afford to go part-time, but it's the only way.

My advice is to put school and studying before everything else, make sure your friends and family "get it" with what you are going through, and work as much as you are able after that. Use student and/or private loans to cover the rest. Other than that sell blood plasma, beg borrow and steal, and sell everything you have...at least that's what I am doing heh.

Easier said than done, I get it...but keep your eyes on the prize and make it happen...

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2012

I am so sorry. If you can't change your hours to have at least one day open for clinicals, I'm not sure how you could make it work. I worked 33 hours and did full-time nursing school last Fall and it was ROUGH. If you can look in to financial aid and all of the options out there, maybe you could work something out to work less with financial aid help. Good luck!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2012

I was preparing to write something before I saw your second post; upon reading that I changed what I was writing.

I'm sorry, but this isn't going to happen for you UNLESS you change your job/hours. I realize that with two children you can't afford to lose income and benefits, believe me I do. However, that doesn't mean that wishing is going to make it so....clinical rotations come around when they come around; sometimes in the course of a program there IS an evening rotation offered that wasn't offered the previous year, and sometimes you join a program because it DOES have an evening rotation only to find that it gets cancelled. I once had a class (required) that was originally scheduled for late in the day, only to find that it became an 8:10-11:00 time slot for the semester (which meant juggling children in the morning when I had worked out an after-school plan already--and now required a whole new plan).

You will have no guarantees whatsoever that ALL of your pre-reqs and ALL of your nursing classes and ALL of your labs and ALL of your clinicals will ALWAYS be in the evening (or a weekend, extremely rare)...and even IF you look at a current schedule and see that it appears to be laid out that way, there's no guarantee that you will get priority placement--LOTS of people have LOTS of reasons for wanting the exact same spots you do, and the competition can be fierce.

Simply put, you CANNOT plan to do an RN nursing program exclusively in the evening and on weekends. When it works out that way, and it's your preference, life is grand. But I can assure you that the best-laid plans, over the course of a number of years, do require changing with the program changes. Clinical sites move, agreements between the schools and the facilities change, and you absolutely MUST be flexible enough to take the clinical rotation a day or two during the week when you are currently scheduled to work.

Barring that, you aren't likely to get through nursing school at this time in your life.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2012

I worked 32 hours per week in nursing school and graduated with honors. Contrary to popular belief, working and attending school simultaneously can be accomplished.

I worked the weekend double shift at a nursing home as an LVN while attending an RN bridge program during the week. I worked every Saturday and Sunday from 6:00am to 10:00pm for a grand total of 32 hours each weekend. The weekend double shifts enabled me to have Monday through Friday off to focus on school.

peachshan, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2012

I totally understand your dilemma because I am going through the same thing. Except there is one evening/weekend program in my area that is almost an hour away from my house. Imagine working 7-3 then going to class from 4-9pm! I am still going to apply but I worry about the affect on my husband and son (14 months now).What type of program are you trying to get into? Maybe if your goal is BSN or RN, would you consider starting as a LPN first? I have thought about that myself. I was thinking I could work as a CNA while getting a nursing degree in a shorter time. You could also maybe just take some time to save up money that you know could go towards only bills while using financial aid for living expenses. Just remember, you do have to pay financial aid back lol. Its a last resort for me.I hope this helps and don't get discouraged. If you want to be a nurse, it will happen for you. We have to just think out the box sometimes. Good luck:)