Working full-time vs School Full-time

CuriousMe · Aug 25, 2008

I am really needing some advice...This will be a bit long just so you know...I have a BS in pyschology, and I really want to do the school thing full-time. Problem is that I would either have to quit my full-time job, take out loans, and just do it or...go part-time as far as I could and then...I don't know! Does anyone have any advice on going back to school full-time or financial aid, etc? I live on my own, no husband, kids, etc., so I have to support myself...Is it worth taking out loans to get the nursing degree? Has anyone ever worked full-time while doing nursing school full-time? I would love to get your thoughts and/or suggestions. Thanks a bunch.:)

A lot of people have worked full time while going to nursing school full time....I don't think I could without jeopardizing my health. I did work full time while doing my prereqs full time. I did this for about a year and a half before quitting my job as I was making myself ill. I now work part time on campus, but it's between 10 - 20 hours.

Really, you're the only one who can make decision about whether this is possible (and healthy) for you. It depends on how much time you need to study, how much sleep you need and lots of other things. Do you have prereqs to do? If so, I'd try working full time while you do your prereqs and see how things go.

Oh and I wish you the best in Oregon!

Peace,

CuriousMe

CCat · Aug 25, 2008

I agree with CuriousMe. It all depends on what you can handle. In my first few terms, I was in school full time (in the day) and worked full time as well (in the night). It was awful. I started smoking a lot of cigarettes and drinking a lot of coffee just to stay awake. I made the grades but it was /hard/. Now that my classes are getting progressively harder, I've cut down a lot of my hours at work. I have to be a lot more careful with my finances but I find that I'm a lot happier (less stress and pressure and more time to sleep, rest, and eat) now that I'm not freaking out because I feel like I didn't study enough or something like that.

On loans, I've taken out student loans to pay for school and that is all I use it for : tuition and books. I work enough to pay for my living expenses. So I'm in debt now but I figure it's for a very good reason and therefore, worth it to me to be in debt for a little bit.

I see you're bound for OR. Whereabouts are you moving to? I live here in our beautiful (rainy) state, lol.

bound4oregon · Aug 25, 2008

Thanks for the reply and honest thoughts...I am hoping to move to Oregon either as soon as I get my RN license or possibly next year...And go to school up there! We'll see...I'm doing one of my prereqs at the county college here in town...Do you like living/working/doing school in Oregon?

CCat · Aug 25, 2008

Thanks for the reply and honest thoughts...I am hoping to move to Oregon either as soon as I get my RN license or possibly next year...And go to school up there! We'll see...I'm doing one of my prereqs at the county college here in town...Do you like living/working/doing school in Oregon?

I love it here. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Well, Hawaii maybe. :chuckle