working full time during nursing school?

calivianya, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2014

You can definitely work full-time. You just can't do it in a traditional 8-5. I worked an 11p-7a job five days a week for a long time, until clinicals interfered with that because I had to be at clinical at 0600. Hard to do that and work if you don't get off work 'til 0700... In my last semester with three 12-hour clinicals per week and two classes to attend, I only managed to work about 24 hour a week by working 12 hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, but I still worked. You just have to have an extremely flexible job with extremely flexible hours.

schnookimz · Jun 22, 2014

They will always say you can't work full time but I did it and so did many other people on this site. Just need to be flexible with time!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jun 22, 2014

I have a close friend who worked full time through LVN school. Our program was 5 days/wk x 8 hrs per day.

She was smart as a whip and did well. She worked nocs. She could manage to go over 24 hrs without sleep.

Seriously I can't tell you how I survived without working. I just couldn't do both. I need sleep.

malenurse69, MSN, NP · Jun 22, 2014

Absolutley possible, you just need to have proper time management.

G-manRN · Jun 22, 2014

Yes, you can do it. It depends on your program and your job though. I worked full time through my entire program doing 3 12 hour shifts. I worked every weekend and whichever day I could during the week with an ever changing nursing/school schedule. It also helped that my job was related to healthcare- EKG tech, so they were pretty flexible. Try to find a CNA, PCT or PCA, ER tech, or nurse extern job. Also look into Per diem work because you can usually pick up quite a few shifts. Best of luck!

ORNerd, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2014

I did it, but my manager was very understanding and flexible with my hours. She let me work longer days and weekends so I could have time off during the week for school. It's absolutely doable.

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RNinCLE, ADN, BSN · Jun 22, 2014

I worked full-time through my entire program - and had 2 small kids at home - but had a very supportive manager and a very supportive husband. I started out working 3-11, 5 days per week for the first year. The 2nd year, that was not possible, so switched to a new role working 3 12's a week.

The fact that I had to work full-time was the reason I went to a community college. If I had the option I would have gone for an Accelerated BSN, but that wouldn't have been doable for me.

You may also see if the community college has a evening/weekend program. Many students at my school who worked full time day shift went this route - with classes and labs in the evening, and clinicals on weekends.

mgfam · Jun 22, 2014

My role model. She worked at NICU full time while completed her four years nursing phd and NP program at the same time. She could do it, so can you.

unicoRNurse · Jun 23, 2014

Yes, it's possible. I (and most of the 19 people in my class) did it. As another poster mentioned above, I would have done the accelerated bachelor-to-BSN, but I work standard business hours so that wasn't an option. I did a challenging PM/WE program with an excellent reputation, had no social life and didn't get a lot of sleep, but graduated with a 4.0 this past May and am preparing to take NCLEX. Good luck to you!

Cuddleswithpuddles · Jun 23, 2014

I did it, and I am still doing it.

I worked full-time as a LVN during my RN program. I worked 3 12 hours shifts on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Went to school and did clinicals for the rest of the week. I am currently working full-time as a ICU RN, going RN-BSN coursework and taking science classes in preparation for the MCAT and medical school. I have a 3.9 GPA.

So, yeah, it is possible. But should you do it? That is entirely up to you. Do not let anyone's experience define yours. :)

ICUKeesh · Jun 23, 2014

It's possible! I did it as well, and when I started my child was 5 and in quite a few extra curricular activities and sports! I got so good at studying and completing task on the go that I eventually was able to study at Chuckie Cheese's EASILY! Lol, you will find ways to make it work for you. I wish you the best of luck :-)