Working while in nursing school

[darci14]

Does anyone work full time while going to nursing school? Is this even possible? The program I have been accepted into does not recommend it, but I really need to work. Is anyone out there doing both at the same time?

Darci14

[May2011Grad]

I am currently in school and working full-time. It is possible but very very tiring. It's like working 2 full-time jobs. Good Luck!

[nrsman]

I'm going to be doing the same thing soon! I have trained myself to get up in the morning between 4:00 and 5:00am, so I will be using the first 3 hours of the day for study. I did that years ago in college and it worked out beautifully. Information seems to really stick with you first thing in the morning; just have to go to bed a bit earlier! Good luck

[FLmomof5]

The answer is yes. Many of us do it. For some, it is easier than others. Some can't do both. It is all based on YOU and what you are able to accomplish.

:grad:

[Fitzy819]

I have always worked and gone to school so for me working while in nursing school wasn't that big of a change. I got to school M-W 8ish-3ish and then work from 4ish-9/10 M-F. I would say its all about you and what you can handle. If you have worked and gone to school before and you have descent time management skills then it is probably pretty doable. Best of luck!

[kcochrane]

When I got my LPN I was lucky enough to not have to work, but that was full time M-F. I had got laid off from Kodak and had benefits for that. I looked at those that worked and didn't know how they could do both.

Fast foward to getting my RN. I worked full time nights as a LPN and took classes part time. Took my 4 1/2 years to get my RN. It is hard, but it is doable. I also had two younger children still at home, but I also had an extremely helpful husband. My school also did not endorse working while going to school, but I bet 80% did. Someone had to pay the bills.

You have to stay organized, may sure you get enough rest and take care of yourself. Use vacation/PTO to give you some extra days off from work to get a break if possible.

Good luck!

[MissCharlieRN]

I work 42 hours a week and attend nursing school (right now 16 clinical hours a week plus 6 hours of classroom/lab time a week). My clinical hours will jump to 24 starting the first week of April. It's tough, don't plan on having too much of a social life. Also, come up with a system. I have clinicals on Wednesday and Thursday, so I make sure all of my clinical homework due the next week is taken care of on Thursday. Then I work usually 7a-7p on weekends, and I spend from 8-10 studying in after work. It gets a little hectic at times and I can't tell you how many times I woke up at 3am with my face on my textbook at my kitchen table, but it's worked so far and I graduate in May. Good luck!

[UVA Grad Nursing]

I will say it depends on the program. For our Direct Entry MSN, students report they spend 60-80 hours a week on the nursing program (classes, studying, writing papers or logs, practica, clinical prep, clinical conferences, etc) -- often depending on where they are in the program. Many are working for pay 10-15 hours a week on top of the 60-80 hours week of nursing school.

The two students who attempted to work more than 25 hours a week both failed out. I tell students that they are adults and can make their own choices. But experience has shown that the "outcomes" in our program are not good to be a fulltime student and a fulltime employee.

[Faeriewand, ASN, RN]

I work and go to school. I only work part time and that is on the weekends, (12 hour shifts as an LVN) I go to school during the week and study then. I do take some time off of work, esp when there is a test on Monday! :) But it is doable, although sometimes I find it very difficult.

But I know that for me I could not do it full time, like 3 days a week, like a few other students are doing. I don't have that much family support for studying etc. My poor family eats a lot of take-out.

[Dottie, RN]

It's doable, but not easy. If you're really dedicated and determined, you can do it. To be honest, if I didn't have to work, I wouldn't. I'm only in my first semester, but have been working full-time during the day and attend school in the evenings M-Th. I just started flex 2 and still work full-time, but I may have to cut down a bit on my work hours if I'm still struggling. It also depends on what kind of support system you have at home. I have a husband and two children, but my husband has been helping me a lot with the kids and with making dinner, cleaning, and laundry. Good luck!

[BluegrassRN]

bump for spikey74