Working while going to school

PennyLane, RN · Aug 29, 2004

First of all, congrats on starting nursing school in a few months!

When I started my BSN program I quit my full-time job completely. After my first semester I started working as a tech at a hospital near me for some experience (and a bit of moolah too). However, I'm not even working anything close to part-time. I have to work 3 shifts every 6 weeks at a minimum. I don't think I could have handled holding down a real part-time job. But I'm also doing an accelerated program that didn't leave me much time for anything else. There are a couple people in my class who work ~10/week, and one that I know of that somehow manages to hold down a full-time job as well.

I'd suggest quitting altogether and then maybe starting a hospital job if you really feel you need the $$ later on down the road. You'll gain experience there and it will help you in your clinicals.

dixienurse2be · Aug 30, 2004

If at all possible quit your job. I am workin on fri, sat, and sun now and it is killing me and I'm only 2 weeks into school. I don't know how long I'm gonna try to keep working but I know that I'm gonna try to get a scholarship from the hospital here so that I can quit next semester. Nursing school can be very overwhelming if you can't devote enough time to it and I would honestly suggest to quit if you are financially able to.

jschut, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2004

I have to work as I am the main breadwinner in our home.

I work on Tuesday eves from 6p-10:30p

Friday eves 6p-10:30p

Saturday 10a-10:30p

Sunday 10a-10:30p

Have to keep this up till school ends. But I can handle it. As much as I'd like to quit, I just can't. Family needs food, and kids need insurance.

If you have to work, do so. If you need to quit, do that too.!

Good Luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2004

I worked 32 to 40 hours a week in nursing school, but I was just doing nursing school and had all coreqs taken. It was very tough. So if you have most of the coreq courses done and have nothing but the nursing courses, then a few part-time hours for extra cash would be no big deal. Fortunately you have the option of quitting that if you have to. Good luck.

kllymcrn · Aug 30, 2004

I start nursing school in a week and I have been with my current Co. for 4 years I gave them a 5 month notice when I got my acceptance letter. But I am a single Mom and need to work. It turns out that they are willing to keep me on part time rather than lose me and have to train someone new. So Monday throught Friday I will do school and about 20 hours of work between the hours of 8am and 5pm. I am thrilled because now I know I will be home nights and weekends and even though I will be studying most all of that time I will at least be home with my son.

GDeppe · Aug 30, 2004

Several years ago when I was in LPN school - my class started off with 35 students. At the end of the first semester, only 20 or so remained. At the end of the 2nd semester , only 10 remained.... The only people that passed were the ones that were not working...It was really hard, and some of those students only missed passing by 1 points. I suggest you try and see if you can do it. You should know if your grades aren't the best w/in a few weeks of starting. Good Luck.!!!

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2004

My advice:

If at all possible (meaning you can survive without the added income), and especially if you have other responsibilities (children, spouse, etc) or are considering grad school (gotta keep those grades up), quit working and just focus on school.

I quit my full-time job in July to attend my BSN program full-time. There's no way I could have done this particular program (in class 40 hours/week) and kept my full-time job (worked 40 hours/week + 2 kids and absent husband). Although it's difficult financially, I realize that this is a short-term sacrifice to reach a long-term goal. I'm hanging in there, and will make it eventually... (I won't be broke forever) :chuckle

djswan · Aug 31, 2004

I'm so glad I found this topic-I've been seriously considering going FT to school due to my situation and the fact that I want to get through school already! I've read all your messages, what I wanted to know is how is the financial aid and loan situation for that? I'm married with a mortgage and a car payment (im almost done with) and bills, I make the most right now so I pay the bulk of the bills but I'm so ready to quit and go FT but wasn't sure if I could get enough loans/grants to cover my bills. I'm trying to look at some private colleges, I go to Cols State right now so I have to ck with them as well. ANY advise would be GREATLY appreciated since I know nothing or where to start! Thanks :)

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2004

DJswan -

Does your spouse work?

I'm fortunate that I don't have a house payment (small trailer, paid for) and I don't have a car payment (won a vehicle in a sweepstakes). I do, however, have two little kids in daycare/private school, and commute 130+ miles a day.

Right now, I get the max my school allows in student loans, grants, and scholarships (around $11K before tuition is taken out).

There is the option of taking out private loans (if you have good credit), home equity line (which I wouldn't advise), or other funding options (hospital-based work-commitment scholarship programs, etc)

Does the job you work currently offer overtime? Maybe you could work some extra hours in order to try and pay off your car and some bills before you quit working?

Just a few ideas. Good luck! :)

djswan · Aug 31, 2004

DJswan -
Does your spouse work?
I'm fortunate that I don't have a house payment (small trailer, paid for) and I don't have a car payment (won a vehicle in a sweepstakes). I do, however, have two little kids in daycare/private school, and commute 130+ miles a day.
Right now, I get the max my school allows in student loans, grants, and scholarships (around $11K before tuition is taken out).
There is the option of taking out private loans (if you have good credit), home equity line (which I wouldn't advise), or other funding options (hospital-based work-commitment scholarship programs, etc)
Does the job you work currently offer overtime? Maybe you could work some extra hours in order to try and pay off your car and some bills before you quit working?
Just a few ideas. Good luck! :)

He does work but he doesn't make enough to cover the house, car, bills together. He can definitly help out some though. I was thinking I would like to pay my car off first, trying to only have house and utilites. Also-what do you do for hc if you dont mind me asking-I was advised to look to the state for assistance? But Im thinking being married I wouldn't qualify, I dont know. I have a 8wk old. Thanks for the info btw =)

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2004

We actually have health insurance (I guess hc=healthcare) through my husband's job. If we weren't offered a reasonably priced plan there, I'd look into a student plan or major medical with a high deductible. There is also the HSA, which is like a savings plan for medical expenses.

If you meet certain income qualifications, your child would probably qualify, although adult policies vary from state to state (I think my home state does not offer adult policies unless you are pregnant, elderly, or disabled).