Working while in nursing school?

[RNnewbie2014]

I often get discouraged by my mom and other people saying "you don't have it that hard", "I did it, so can you", type deal because I do not currently have a job, and I have not had one at all in nursing school. I commuted my first semester and ended up failing because I could not handle the commuting and having to get up at the crack of dawn for clinicals and classes. I am mainly a night person. My mom went to school for 7 years to obtain her educational degree. Yes, she had me and my brother and a family to take care of.. But she consistently throws up in my face that her getting her educational degree to teach is just as hard as nursing school. I really beg to differ, but I still get upset and cry and feel like a failure since I do not have a job an all. I applied for tons of hospitals and no call back. My mom does not pay a single dime for anything that I have. I use strictly loans. I just want to know if its really doable and worth it? I usually go to school 4 to 5 days a week. I really want something in the medical field, but I feel like the hospitals aren't willing to hire many people right now. I live in an area where there are only two hospitals. I do not have a CNA license either. There is only one hospital in my area that allows you to be a PCT if you have completed your first semester of BSN. My family and my boyfriend live an hour away from me. It's just a struggle to me to sacrifice the little time I have to spend time with them versus having a job.. My mom says that's a sacrifice you have to make.. And I am like really? Do I have to? I go to school with nobody I know.. Not that it matters, but my boyfriend is my best friend.. And the person that helps me get away from reality. It's very important to me to see him atleast every two weeks. I don't know what I need to do.. Any advice?

[Vipsnw]

I currently have an Elementary Degree and I can attest that now as a pre-nursing student that they are both hard in their own ways.

[elvislover74]

I have just started nursing school. I work full-time in the local Emergency Department as an EMT-IV. I dont expect it to be easy. I expect it to be the hardest thing I've ever done, but it must be done. There will be many nights that I work a 12 hour shift then go sit in class for 8 hours. There will be many days that I'll sit in class after working the night before and have to go home and study before taking a 2 hour nap and heading back to work. And I absolutely disagree with whoever said being a CNA/PCT and working through nursing school doesnt help. I was a CNA 2 years before I got my EMT and my CNA is still up to date. You only learn what you're willing to get out of the experience. The nurses I worked on the floor with new I loved to learn and loved observing procedures. If they had something going on theyd come find me. Im very lucky. And I feel very confident in that I'll be a step ahead of everyone who not experienced pt care while in nursing school

[NurseKitty42]

I am working full time and my first week of classes was this week. I am tired and worn out and still have lab tomorrow but I am going on trial and error this week was rough due to me working 4 to 12 mid and getting up at 6 to drive to class. So I spoke with my manager and we rearranged my schedule to where only once a week get up at 6 to go to school and once on the weekend to go to work. I am glad I asked if we could change it around and my co workers are understanding. So lesson to me always ask it doesn't hurt. I have to work full time no options and I am in the nursing program that I waited it seems like a lifetime to get into I am driven and focused.