Working and Nursing School

Annabelle57 · Mar 21, 2006

i'll tell you my deal since i'm unsure of your total situation:

starting in may, i'll be enrolled in a full-time accelerated bsn course: 4-5 days a week for clinicals/classes for fourteen months. whew! i do plan on working, but i'll be "pool" status, meaning that i don't have a set number of hours i work each week. i'll also be the first to be cancelled off a schedule (we do self-scheduling on the unit) and i also get no bennies. my husband works full-time, and i am taking out some loans. i only plan on working a shift (12 hours) a week - more during holidays, less during crunch times like exams and whatever. i know several people in the program who do this and it works - plus i have a very supportive boss who is excited about me being in school for my bsn.

i would say that if you have lots of flexibility in scheduling yourself and have a supportive, understanding boss, you can probably do it. if you're planning on being full-time school, then don't do more than part-time work (even that could be tricky). go for the loans and any other assistance you can! it's all worth it.

good luck!

tcdtx · Mar 21, 2006

I worked (between 20-35 hours per week) all through nursing school, until my 4th semester of my ADN program. I quit my job for my fourth semester because we had a preceptorship for clinicals, plus class, and I wanted to focus.

That's just me. Everyone is different. Do what is best for you, but if you do keep working, be careful not to wear yourself out! Don't try to work too many hours, and just remember that school has to be priority over your job. It will be worth it later! :)

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

is working part time during nursing school a good idea? i just got accepted to nursing school and i work part time as a bank teller. i'm not sure if i should quit work and focus on school, because i really want to excel in school. what are everyone's thoughts on the subject???????????
carrie

i think you can work about 12 hours a week. you will just have to manage your time well.

maybe you could do some reading when the bank is slow.

try to stay away from loans for nsg school. seriously, you will not make all that much when you get out and loans will suck away a lot of your pay for years.

i hate to see new nurses stay at a job they hate bc of loans they owe. it's an awful situation to be in.

TazziRN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

Most of us worked because we had to. Not working is best because it's a tough program that will take a lot of your energy, but not all nursing students are rich. Some of us are lucky enough to have part time jobs in some area of medicine.

Niya · Mar 21, 2006

I worked 2 jobs all throughout nursing school and my grades were great, sure I was tired but we had to eat and have a place to live. I say, if you dont have to work while in school then you are lucky, if you do then just focus and know that it will be over before you know it.

ArmyKitten · Mar 21, 2006

Our school encouraged us to work 10-14 hours a week. Everyone needs a break from classes, clinical, and studying; work not only pays the bills but it provides a break during the week. It may not be a relaxing break, but it is still time away from studying.

Most classmates started the program working anywhere from 10-30 hours a week, and by our last semester many of us had quit our jobs or were only PRN 2-3 days a month.

After a semester or two of nursing school, hospitals in our area would pick us up as Nurse Techs, pay us 15$ an hour, and let us work as much or as little as we wanted, even if it was only 1 day a month to keep us on the schedule. We would go through a rough patch with exams and not work, then pick up a few days for a couple weeks, then take a few weeks off again.

I realize that not everyone can do this- this plan doesnt pay the bills. But for those that could afford it, it worked out wonderfully. Many classmates were also hired in the hospitals they worked at as Techs in nursing school.