Working while inschool

NurzofFaith · Aug 4, 2001

Hi, I'm down to my last 2 semesters of nursing school. I have worked for the last 3 years as a CNA on a cardiac floor. I work PRN, and my floor is very understanding that I cannot give more than my required 1 weekend a month. I do pick up shifts on holiday breaks and also in the summer.

Our program actually asks what we are working and they recommend not working fulltime, I can totally understand why and cant imagine it, we have 43 people left in our program now and the majority work parttime or PRN, none work FT.

Nursing school is a fulltime job in itself and if you have a family like I do, a fulltime job is out of the question. I do understand some have no other choice, and I am sure it is not easy.

Best of luck!

Channa

MollyJ · Aug 4, 2001

I am a 23 year veteran nurse. I have seen some folks work full time during their GENERIC nursing program and frankly it caused me to question the rigor of their program. However, some folks are just tough. (I work full time most of the time I was working on my BSN completion, but that is a whole 'nother critter.)

For most of us, the learning of the vocabulary, the learning of a new way of thinking, the need to cover (read) and learn so much new data on a weekly basis means that working full time is just not feasible.

If you work full time INEVITABLY there will come a time when you choose between work and didactic or clinical preparedness. I agree with posters who worked like crazy on breaks or summer, but the rest of the time, I would work NO MORE than one night a week and every other weekend and I think being PRN would be dandy because you could sort of pick and choose when you'd work.

A good nursing program is rigorous and shouldn't leave you time to do a full time job unless the job just guarantees you quiet and study time.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2001

I would be very cautious about the number of hours you work in nursing school kids or no kids it does not matter. Very few are lucky to work both full-time and go to nursing school full-time, I think it is pretty rare. I highly recommend no one works full-time while in school full-time. At my nursing school Most of the students who dropped out were the same ones who were working full-time or way too many hours if not full-time. Something has to give. Everyone must sacrifice something at some points in their lifes if they want anything bad enough. I want clothes from the mall really bad but I cannot afford it so I understand that clothes from walmart will have to do. No one can see your labels if you let them anyway and walmart is starting to sell some trendy stuff. I am not ashamed to say where I shop for clothes sometimes I go to garage sells but only for outer clothing like shirts and pants. Now when it come to paying bills keep only the necessity bills get rid off the charge cards expect for one major card like visa or mastercard for an extreme emergency. IF you must get a car along with a car payment keep it under $200 at the most. If you must have a Cell phone get the cheapest plan possible and use it for emergency or just to check on kids or whatever but not for use for long periods of time. Eat out less ( I know easier said than done but once I started taking my lunch more and preparing breakfast and dinner more at home I saved $70 a month along just from when I use to always eat out seriously). My supervisior I work for she is very serious when it comes to nursing students and working. I have been working full-time all summer long and just had my 90 day evaluation which turned out really, really good and she said since I am about to start back up school in 2 weeks she said school MUST come first and I agree 100% and she said she is only going to allow me to work at the most of 3-4 days a month and during school breaks like thanksgiving break and winter break.

Just had to share what I feel take care.

nurseleigh · Aug 5, 2001

I agree with everything said here except about the kids. I think it definitely does make a big difference if you have kids. I am going to be in school full time and have 2 kids. I am already trying to figure out a good schedule so i will still have time with my girls and be able to get all my schoolwork done. I just couldnt imagine having to work 40 hours a week on top of that.

Don't misinterpret this to mean that if you don't have any children that a full time job and a full time school schedule would be smart. I'm just saying that with kids it would be impossible, unless you want to miss out on a few years of your kids lives.

If you are going to go to school full time, you probably shouldn't try to work full time as well. If you must work a full time schedule to make ends meet, maybe you should consider a part time school schedule. It'll take longer to get it done, but you will maintain your sanity:)

NurseAngie · Aug 5, 2001

I hope that you don't have to work full-time because it's very difficult to do. What type of work were you considering? Many nursing students work PRN (as needed) while classes are in session and pick up extra hours when classes are out. Nursing school does demand a good amount of study time and you'll need to have the time just to take care of personal needs as well. Do you have children? Most nursing programs have strict guidelines on the amount of time you can miss class, so be careful. I don't think I could work a 40 hour (full-time) week and make it to class. Take care and good luck!

NurseAngie · Aug 5, 2001

Are you going to college full-time? When will you sleep? Take care of errands? Never mind children because that is another full-time job. (really) Do you enjoy reading your mail, because you might not even have the time for that if you're working 40+ hours and atending classes too. Seriously, if you can swing going through school without the income , you might want to consider it. It's a struggle and you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. Take care and good luck!

misti_z · Aug 6, 2001

Hey guys. I graduated this last May (2001). In Feb (2001) I started working as a 'Nurse Tech'. If any of the hospital in your areas offer this program I highly recommend it. Part time of course, unless you HAVE to work full time like I did. It helped me in many ways...I understood disease processes more and nursing interventions really came into play (some at least) As a Nurse Tech I would do all assessments, charting, I would pull med but the nurse would check after me and she/he would give them, and I would call the MDs. The hospital I work at required you to be within 1 yr of graduation.

Anyway this was valuable experience and after I got my license I felt 200% more comfortable taking patients.

Good luck to all.:)

crnasomeday · Aug 6, 2001

No way would I work a fulltime job at this point. I'm in semester 7 now of a BSN program. I have 3 children and a husband, and I can't imagine how I'd possibly have time for them if I worked full time. I don't think it would fare well on my GPA either. I do work though, as a PRN PCA in the float pool which I think is invaluable experience. I sign up for my own hours so I can work as little or as often as I like. PCAs can do everything the RN can do except IVs and meds, so I get to learn sooooo much from my job. I just love it.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2001

Those of you who set you who are prn Patient care associates or techs do you get to set your own hours like is there a such thing as working 1:00pm-5:00pm. I am still trying to figure out how am I going to go to school full-time, take care of my daughter and work at least some hours just a little not a lot. I don't need a lot of money but it would be nice to have at least some pocket change while in school.

Brown Suga · Aug 6, 2001

I understand were you are all coming from. I am working as a CCT in a hospital that requires 12hr shifts. I am currently working full time, but I am planning on part time in the next week or two. I am waiting for orientation to see what days I will have free. I receive a sample schedule, but it is subject to change. The days I would be in class are mondays, wednesdays, thursdays, and fridays. I am having I hard time on what days to work, because the hospital runs on 12hr shifts. I am way too tried to come home from work and study if I had too. I am thinking of going to a registery to work as a CNA because you can choose your own hours and schedule, not to mention the salary is much higher. I would like some input from anyone.

Thanks,

Brown Suga:)

SOCALRACERX911_RN · Aug 7, 2001

It is possible to work full-time during your first year of ADN.

I' ve just completed my first year of ADN and I worked full-time

and then some during the entire year. I managed to maintain a 3.0 GPA from an excellent nursing program in San Diego. It's just a matter of really managing your time. It also helps to have an understanding spouse but it is most important to spend free time with your family and not with your drinking buddies. But be realistic if you decide to work full-time, it is going to be very difficult but not impossible to get that 4.0 or even a 3.0 GPA. Just remember that GPA does not completely reflect a students ability to execute the nursing process. It helps to have some medical experience but it only helps to a certain point. Buddy up with classmates who have different educational/healthcare experience so you can draw from each individual's strengths. Check out financial aid and scholarships available to you.The ideal situation is to not work at all but if you have to work full-time then you must just don't let it keep you from graduating. Good luck and

congratulations on getting into a program.