Working while in Nursing school?!

Published

Hi!

Did anyone out there work while in nursing school? Is it do able? I can only imagine how intense the curriculum is going to be, but I must work at least part time to pay my bills... Nursing is my dream, and I am ready and willing to do what it takes! :) Are there any jobs in a hospital I can do while in school prior to having any certifications, diplomas etc.? Thanks for all the help!! :heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

I worked 40hrs/week my first semester and dropped down to 30 hours/week my second semester. By third semester I was still working around 30. First 3 semesters I worked at a restaurant, cooking, busing, waiting tables. Last semester I quit the food service and got a job as a tech in an ICU and worked 1-2 shifts/weekly (12-24 hours). So yes, it it definitely doable. But I only made A's and B's, more B's than A's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Every instructor and counselor at my school strongly advises against working. It is so difficult to get into nursing school these days, it hardly seems worth it to risk what you have. You could probably pull it off during first semester, but NOT 2nd-4th! I am not working and spend at least 8-10 hours studying each day - including days off of school. Nursing school is a double time job - triple time! There is no way you can add on another job. Your grades will suffer. It's worth it to get a student loan or ask family to help. Move in with your parents. I see people fail out every semester because they get behind and they were working! One girl started over again this semester and she is not working. She had to start back at 1st semester. Sad.... Do not work!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

I worked as a CNA full time (3 12s). was a little tired most of the time, but it is doable if you need to work for family obligations. I was an all A student, exept 1 B.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I worked 40hrs/week my first semester and dropped down to 30 hours/week my second semester. By third semester I was still working around 30. First 3 semesters I worked at a restaurant, cooking, busing, waiting tables. Last semester I quit the food service and got a job as a tech in an ICU and worked 1-2 shifts/weekly (12-24 hours). So yes, it it definitely doable. But I only made A's and B's, more B's than A's.

Be proud of your A's and B's!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I was a monitor tech all thru school and worked 3-11. Going to nursing school was a nightmare but I did finish...barely. My hubby had brain cancer and I knew I had to finish before he died so I could support the kids. I had some bonafide angel instructors. I had missed so many clinicals because of his neurosurgeries They allowed me 2 extra weeks to get all my clinical hours in. I graduated with my class but didn't get my pin or diploma until I completed the clinicals. They other thing that helpsed me was when he was in the hospital that I was doing clinicals. So I guess you could say work and more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's patients,Cardiac.

First of all if you do not have your CNA certification contact your local community college about when they offer the course. I have to tell you that I feel working as a CNA is crucial to becoming a great nurse. I have worked with a handful of good nurses that were not CNA's BUT I have worked with PLENTLY of terrible nurses that were not CNA's prior to becoming a nurse. This is only my opinion and experience but I think there are many crucial skills you learn as a CNA that help you become a great nurse. Working as a CNA is hard.....but you learn basic skills and you learn how to take care of peoples basic needs. Another advantage to becoming a CNA first is that you get a wonderful lesson in politics in the facility. A CNA is the FIRST person that really gets to "assess" the patient. If you are a great nurse you listen to your CNA's. I have found that nurses that were not CNA's blow off what the CNA's tell them about the patient. I cannot tell you how many times I told my nurse that someone had a stage 1 pressure ulcer, definitely had C-DIFF( if you smell it once you know), was dehydrated...only to be ignored. It was the nurses that were CNA's first that would actually listen. Okay enough about that rant.....I am in a RN program and work at a local hospital. Once you get into the program and complete your first semester a lot of hospitals offer a Student Nurse Intership program. I work as an SNI and I also pick up hours as a CNA. The SNI program is wonderful and I have learned more there than at my clinical hours during school. Also, because you become an employee of the facility, they offer nursing positions to new grads of their SNI program before they offer positions to the general public. I wish you the best of luck and hope that any of my information is useful to you!:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was a monitor tech all thru school and worked 3-11. Going to nursing school was a nightmare but I did finish...barely. My hubby had brain cancer and I knew I had to finish before he died so I could support the kids. I had some bonafide angel instructors. I had missed so many clinicals because of his neurosurgeries They allowed me 2 extra weeks to get all my clinical hours in. I graduated with my class but didn't get my pin or diploma until I completed the clinicals. They other thing that helpsed me was when he was in the hospital that I was doing clinicals. So I guess you could say work and more.

Wow, that is very impressive that you were able to finish when you did. You must be a very strong individual and a great nurse now because of it. Your story is inspiring. Thank you for sharing :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes you will be able to do it. When I started nursing school I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the workload plus school. Just manage your time really well. Goodluck with your studies!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

I cant think of more than 5 people in my class of 40 that didnt work through nursing school. Even the ones fresh outta high school got jobs as aides or retail somewhere.

Personally, I worked 2 twelve hour shifts EVERY weekend for the 2 years I was in school. It sucked...I got barely any family time, but a sacrifice was necessary in order to fulfill my dream.

Find what works for you. Only you know what you can handle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

I worked my way through. It's doable. It is very helpful to have any possible job within the hospital, from dietary on up to CNA or Unit Clerk, at least you have your foot in the door when it's job time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I worked 36 hours a week as a PCT throughout nursing school. I am a quick learner, and used to be a straight-A student. I made more B's than A's in NS, though, because I just didn't have the time to put into pulling the A's. I also was pretty burned out most of the time. I also did my theory online on my own terms and only had to follow a schedule for labs & clinicals, which helped a lot.

So it is doable if you must. If you can afford not to work, it will help your stress level tremendously.

:paw:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion