Working and Nursing courses

If you search through different sections of all nurses on this question you'll find that quite a few people work while going to nursing school. It all depends on what you can manage. Some can balance school, work and other responsibilities and do well, for other people it's best for them to put their full time focus into nursing school. If you want to work you should go for a job in a hospital - this will be a foot in the door and you'll get to build relationships that can help you get a job when you get your nursing license. Plus they may reimburse part or all of your tuition.

I would not work at wallyworld or any other similar environment because they are not all that flexible with scheduling and this is not the kind of work you'll need to help you get a job in nursing.

Ok so jobs like Wal-Mart would be out. What kind of job could I expect in a hospital with no experience other than being a patient a few times there? I do like the idea of working in one to at least get used to being in that setting.

You could apply to work part time as a Clinical Partner on a nursing floor. You may have to take a CNA course before you get hired, some states require that they be a certified CNA. Then you can work with patients and get your foot in the door at a hospital you would like to work in after you graduate. Alot of the nurses that work on my units started out as a unit secretary or clinical partner here and stayed. I am the department coordinator (staffing scheduling, payroll etc) and I plan to stay here after I graduate. It helps to get to know the administrators and show them what a good worker you are, that way they don't even have to think twice about hiring you as a new grad nurse.

I am in a similar situation. When I get into nursing school I will have no choice but to work but I must work full time as I am single and have my house payment to make. I know I will have to quit my current day job as nursing school is during the day. I just have no clue what to do when that time comes. I should be able to apply for nursing school in the spring and over the summer my intent was to take the CNA course and hopefully get onto a hospital. Unfortunately CNA's here in Utah don't get paid much. Im sure where there is a will there is a way.

I too have to work while in school. I currently work Full time days, 7a-3p. I may have to transfer to a clinical partner or unit secretary job when I get into the nursing program though as my current job may not work with clinicals. My director is very accomodating though, so hopefully we can make it work and I do not have to take a pay cut.

If you have a year before you enter/apply. Save up as much money as you can. Try not to work that much the first semester. Take that time to get a feel for the program, tests, etc. You will know if you can work or not after that. If you successfully pass your nursing courses with a certain GPA then you can work as a nurse extern at a local hospital near you. I am pretty sure that nurse externs are in every state so just check it out then. Also nurse externs make their own schedule and only are mandatory to work like 8 hours a month and up to as much as you want. Some people do work while in nursing school. It just depends. Also I think if you are single and working it is better than a parent/family and working. Hope this helps.

You guys have great ideas. I appreciate your advice. I think I'm going to check out the CNA program at the school I'm going to. Saving money now is a good idea. It'll be tough to save but I'm sure I can find ways to make it work. I really want this (nursing) so I'm going to have to make it work.

I have heard some great advice here. I have decided to do the CNA thing. It really does not pay much here in Utah. I am not sure how to save money when after the bills are paid each month nothings left. But a friend told me to live off my loan. That sounds crazy because of the dept I will acrue but I will do anything to be able to be the best nurse I can. I will do what I have to. I just will most likely find a hospital that will give me medical benefits for part time CNA's. I heard that alot of hospitals do that. I know I have 5 months before I can apply for the program but I have to think about this stuff now.

What works for me is working at UPS at night. They pay 100% of my healthcare benefits and medicine and $1500/semester in tuition reimbursement. The hours suck, but I am able to take classes in the day, get my kids off to school and be there for them when they come home. The little that I bring home does help with living expenses.

Hope this helps.

Michelle in Indianapolis

Whoever said Wal-Mart and the like are inflexible may speak of his/her local Walmart but I work for a privately owned business in Walmart (we lease the space from Walmart in the front of the store, I am sure your local WM has several businesses of the like in it as well) whose hours are 9-7 and a total staff of EIGHT people; and I get 40 hours/week and they work around my schedule (plus great benefits, paid vacations, etc.) Surely, Walmart and actual bonafied retail will work with you. In my interview I said I'm in school and that was that. Many of the Walmart employees I meet are in school. If you want to be a CNA that's great, but if you need a job pronto in the interim don't be afraid to apply at places. Many will work with you...

I will hopefully be starting nursing school in Fall 2009. Even though I have a BA already I will not be doing an accelerated nursing program because I need to WORK! I will be leaving my present job in August if I get accepted.

I have decided that since I have my substitute license, I will be substitute teaching during the day (3-4 days a week..it's great because it's super flexible)..attending school at night..and working a unit secretary/nursing assistant position on the weekends from 11-7. I also babysit for 4 families..so I'll fit that in when I can.

This is my plan..and I know it will be ROUGH...but I got to do what I got to do! :-)

Have you taken A&P 1 yet? If you havent taken it I can tell you this, if it is possible try to work only part time if you can because it is a very difficult class and requires alot of absorption in a short period of time if you get backed up on just one chapter you will be lost. The other pre reqs for Nursing are a breeze compared to A&P 1 I just finished taking the class this past semester I received an A but I dedicated at least 4 hours a day of studying. GOOD LUCK!