Working while in nursing school

springchick1, ADN, RN · Nov 4, 2013

Buy a really good calendar/planner and stay super organized. Write down EVERYTHING you need to do for the day/week/month no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I work full time and am in nursing school. It can be done.

JSoliz · Nov 4, 2013

My biggest fear is becoming overwhelmed!!!

JSoliz · Nov 4, 2013

Buy a really good calendar/planner and stay super organized. Write down EVERYTHING you need to do for the day/week/month no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. I work full time and am in nursing school. It can be done.

Let me ask you this....If you didn't have to work would you? Right now I have the option.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Nov 4, 2013

Let me ask you this....If you didn't have to work would you? Right now I have the option.

I don't know. My time is VERY VERY structured and I like that. I think if I didn't work, I would be more lax with my studies thinking that I have all the time in the world to get things done and then it sneaks up on you. I guess I haven't really ever thought about it because I have to work.

KimmieDurham · Nov 5, 2013

I quit both my jobs for nursing school and it was the best decision I ever made!! There are some people in the program that work but they have no other option and advise against it. It's great not working because I never have to worry about when I am going to have time to study. And some days you just need time to relax and not go crazy with all the school work! If you don't HAVE to work, I wouldn't!

RNstudent13renee · Nov 5, 2013

I'm kind of on the fence about it. I work part time as an NA and sometimes I wish I didn't due to having to cram studying in where I can, but then again I'm also the type to procrastinate, so as aubgurl said I think I would feel like there was enough time to do it later and then screw myself by not studying enough. I always say that if you don't have to work then don't while in nursing school, but I think that a part time job is good for keeping you well balanced, I guess you could say. I have to work for the money like a lot of other students, but if you aren't a procrastinator and don't need the money, I think not working would be great and beneficial to studying.

cholleytcl · Nov 5, 2013

I currently work full time while in nursing school. I am only in my first semester right now. I do think it is doable. If you are working in a hospital setting, I think it will only help in your nursing school adventures... Stick with the working until you have to stop. You'll know when that is.

User720 · Nov 9, 2013

Congratulations! It all comes down to limitations. Know your limit for time, energy, and stress. Manage your time well, prioritize your efforts, and make sure you have a good support system in place. Nursing school is frustrating, and it requires a lot of coping and adjusting. You will take tests where there are 2 right answers, but one answer is most right. You will have patients that will break your heart. Don't become a cyclic student that crams and slacks. Take your class notes and look them over a couple times after class. Look up anything that you don't understand. Take online quizzes about the topic you study to get used to the tests. Nursing is about having good instincts. Train yourself on normal values, so you don't have to look them up. It'll cut way back on how much time you need to research your patients. Also, invest in a solid foundation. Don't rush through the basics, or you'll be trying to relearn them in med-surg. Most importantly, buy an NCLEX book right away. If you can score well on the practice tests, you'll score well your exams. Good luck!

RNOrchid · Nov 9, 2013

The way I judge that is by the amount of hours you personally need to study, prep and finish assignments for school. I work only part time and that's because I have to. I also have a child so that leaves me with less time to study when I am just home. I have class on campus 3 days a week and I stay in school almost all day when I'm on campus studying on my own and with my group. The other days I average about 4 hours of studying daily and I work at night about 4 hours. I also sleep on average 4-6 hours a night. I am very stressed and I'm considering taking out a loan for the beginning of next year since I will start clinicals so I think it will be getting even more time consuming. I feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends and I have to see how not to exhaust myself because I don't want to lose motivation.

Like I said it all depends on your situation because I also have cohorts that have no kids and don't have to work and say they are over whelmed. They ask me and others who have kids and/or work how the heck we do it. I just thank God for keeping me going and giving me the strength for nursing school! So bottom line for me I would advise not to work if you are lucky enough not to have to work. If you have to, it is doable and has been done before :)