Working full time

NurseKat, BSN, RN · Mar 13

I don't have any personal advice because I only worked part time during nursing school, but just wanted to say thank you for your service. <3

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Mar 15

Can you afford to not work? I worked part time in college. I knew a few people who worked full time. If working full time prevents the need for student loans then if you can do it I would. Being debt free is amazing and you will be shocked at how much money you can save not making payments. Also debt free is freedom. You don't have to take a horrible job just to make payments. However only you know yourself. Good luck!

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Mar 18

Thank you for your service as a police officer.

It is very hard to work FT and go to school FT, especially nursing school. Does your nursing school have a PT option? If so, go for that.

The issue you will face working FT in a job with an unpredictable schedule will be completing your nursing clinical rotations. Most schools have very strict policies that you can't miss more than 2 days of the rotation or you fail. You must complete all your rotations to graduate.

Is there a way for you work PT? Can you get a different job within the police department with a more predictable schedule?

Best wishes

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 23

Hi,

I worked 48 hours a week as a paramedic while going through nursing school, and I was able to make it work. I realize being an officer is a bit different, as you guys have less down time because you need to put milage on your car etc, but I think it's similar enough. I worked in a fairly busy system at the time and I was still able to squeeze enough study time in as needed, I also did not do most of the book reading, as I just don't have the attention span for it. I would just type notes during lecture and study that. Aced the NCLEX no problem and all the pre tests they made us take to determine whether we would pass NCLEX, and graduated with honors. It can be done with some determination and motivation! I also worked 60 plus hours a week on the ambulance while doing my RN to BSN so that I could pay cash for it as I went along, no problem either. Obviously being a paramedic already had helped me more quickly pick up on new information. I was also able to study on days off, not sure if you have kids or a family you are also caring for outside of work.

I would try and push through it and keep your job, just in case things don't pan out. Nursing schools can be finicky and you just never know... I guess it also depends on the home situation, if you have a spouse that can support you and the entirety of the bills then, maybe just leaving the police and getting a part time job somewhere else might work, but I would not give up the one you have to be honest. I saw a number of students fail out, and some did not expect it, they just couldn't pass no matter how much they tried, and a couple even found out the week of graduation that they were not graduating!

Best of luck, I am sure whichever you choose, it will work out... I am kind of the opposite, I would PAY money to be able to get back on the ambulance full time again, but there are just no job opportunities if I don't want to become a FF. I prefer being out and about for my work and not jailed in a hospital, it's like prison to me!!

Annie