Working during nursing school

student_B, ADN, RN · Jul 27, 2018

Prepare yourself for a year-round grueling schedule, to some extent. work and save up as much as possible before school, during summer & winter breaks, and whenever you can. It's not just the clinicals you have to worry about, there's also the suddenly changing class schedule, and inevitably, extra work or studying required for some units. Maximize your income potential, live frugally, and look into all possible forms of tuition assistance. ADN is surely an economical choice; concentrate on passing all your classes and the debt incurred will be minute compared to potential career earnings!

bitter_betsy, BSN · Jul 27, 2018

I am a server and plan to keep my job. I work with a great crew and I have built up relationships with them so we trade shifts when needed. I'll be able to request to have 1 or 2 shifts a week and then pick up if I have time or give away if I don't. Serving jobs are generally really flexible and they usually work within your schedule. When you have a good team you help each other by trading shifts if something comes up. Usually it isn't an issue unless you just don't show up and didn't bother trying to get your shift covered.

Most people don't think much of servers as a career choice - but on Wednesday night in under 5 hours I walked away with over $200 after tip outs. If you are in the right place - you can make good money in a short amount of time. Sadly - it is a age based business and your "youthfulness" is directly proportional to your "hire-ability" and servers typically get zero benefits (except for the flexible schedule).

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2018

I worked as a CNA 24 hours a week during nursing school, plus had a baby during my program. It was helpful working under an RN-supervisor; she was aware of how school works and was willing to work with my schedule.

Prior to having my daughter, I would also load up on extra shifts during breaks.

All schools are different... but at mine, most of them were morning weekdays. Our ED shifts were in the evening, for the obvious reason of more patients presenting at night. And then for our final practicum (2nd half of final semester) we worked 1:1 with an RN-preceptor -- our schedule was their schedule... days/nights/weekends, 8hr/12hr shifts, whatever. My preceptor worked 0600-1430, so I worked 0600-1430.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Jul 27, 2018

The jobs most willing to work with your schedule while you're in nursing school: healthcare jobs. Apply to them, tell them you're a nursing student. If you're state is one of the many that lets you sit for your CNA exam after your first semester, do it. They always need aides and other help, and they want someone who's going to become a nurse and stay working for them as a nurse. They understand the workload of nursing, they understand that there's sudden changes in clinical schedules and things like that, these are the people more likely to work with you. Plus you can still typically be full time only 3 days a week.

It benefits both of you. They have a future nurse, and you have a guaranteed job as a new graduate.

lovelyc, ADN · Jul 30, 2018

im currently in Nursing School I been Working 24 hr a week on Nights as a CNA up until our summer semester which was too fast pace to keep with studying and the 24 every week and i went PRN. It honestly depends on you and your study habits some of my class mates still work full time and have done just fine other part time and some of us PRN. The one thing i will say overall is the one of us the work at our local hospital have found it alot easier to deal with our boss and the constant need to change or make short notice changes than my classmates that do not. Our bosses understand since they are Nurses or medical staff how nursing school work vs. a boss at a Walmart for example and are more will to work with the changes. If you can get on at a hospital that would be great and even better if you Can get in a Float department if they have one that allows you to make your own schedule that has been the biggest life saver for me.Hope you figure it out

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2018

And to answer your question on the clinicals. Most schools try their best to limit them to during the week only, usually with an optional weekend schedule if they can manage to get one. As ridiculous as nursing schools can get, they usually do understand that life doesn't just go on hold when you get into school, and that adults have to work, though they DO expect flexibility from you, not them. Most clinicals are going to be day shift during the week, but assume a 12 hour day. At first, it'll start easy, but then the time goes up as you go.

Unfortunately, the state doesn't see things the same way. To the state, you miss your clinical requirements, you don't pass. If your teacher is sick, you might suddenly be going in on a Saturday. And if you can't, and that takes you below your required hours, state laws are that you fail. You can't miss days, but your teacher can.

But a lot of your better schools will schedule clinical time at the end that can be used as makeup time, so instead of going in on a Saturday, you're just going to have one more week of going in on your usual day. But some schools also like to schedule clinicals right to the end of the semester, so if any day has to be missed, it's going to be made up that week, and they don't care if it causes you to get fired.

Just assume that you have to explain to your boss that you might have a few callouts and might have to rework your schedule suddenly some weeks.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 30, 2018

I am hoping to start nursing school in the fall, and I am concerned about being able to hold a job that will pay bills while in school. I am looking into an associates degree RN program, and I know that clinicals will take up a large portion of my time. (Also, what time frame do these usually start in and are they often on weekends?)
Any suggestions on how to pay bills while in school would be much appreciated.

I earned my ADN at a community college and our first day of orientation they said "we discourage you from working during the program, as most of our students who try to do both end up failing out of the program". My fellow classmates who worked as CNAs during school only did so per diem, on the weekends, which meant they had zero time off. We either had class, clinicals or labs during the week. We didn't have clinicals on the weekends. School was my "full time job" while I was in nursing school.

Your whole life will revolve around school and studying while you're in nursing school, whether you go to community college or a university :)

RainbowSprinkles · Jul 30, 2018

Im currently in an accelerated adn program, 14 months. There are still some folks who work in my program. However, I chose to live off my savings, credit cards, a little bit of scholarships, and I take out federal unsubsidized and subsidized loans. I plan on continuing my education and I want the best grades possible. As for clinicals its normally up in the air, for next semester for my particular school its 9 hours one day a week but the open days are tuesday, friday, Saturday, or Sunday. We wont know until the first day of school which day they picked for us. This is a very subjective situation, I have people in my class with new born babies, full time jobs, and still pulling A's in a accelerated summer session. While others are crumbling, it depends on your time management skills, motivation, critical thinking skills, and foundation. Personally, for me I need those 30 hours or more of studying a week to do well.

BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN · Jul 30, 2018

My original plan as a career changer into nursing was to attend an extended Bachelors program (Western Governors University, specifically) so I could continue to work full time. Due to issues with the program in the State of California, I was forced to find another program, so I ended up getting accepted into an accelerated BSN program at a local state school. I couldn't be happier and I'm glad things worked out the way they did, but it does come at a price. I'm only working part time instead of being able to work full time, and am relying more on maxing out my student loans and savings. I find working part time manageable, full time could be possible, but would be extremely difficult. I would rather focus on schooling and maintain my sanity while putting myself into more debt than try to reduce my debt, focus on full time school, and full time work.

Anyways, my recommendation to you is find a job that is flexible and that you can work part time while in school. Many places allow you to get a CNA license after yoru first semester. Finding a part time or per diem CNA job is a great job while in nursing school for flexibility and also to get your foot in the door. I work as a per diem ER Tech and I hopefully shouldn't have any problem getting hired on my unit as a new grad RN.

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Jul 30, 2018

OP, just remember, single mothers make it through. If they can do it, anyone can work and get through nursing school.

But you have to know how to learn. Working is going to limit your study time. If you don't know how to study, it's going to be hard. You still have some time, start looking up how to study now, and get a little practice in. Start with a test like the VARK to get a better idea of your learning style. Then work on the skills to learn it with limited time. Learn something. Get that practice.

elephantlover, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2018

I am currently a student in an accelerated BSN program. I work as a CNA 8-16 hours a week on a medical floor. I pick up hours as needed at a bar serving where I formerly worked full time.

I would HIGHLY recommend working as a CNA in nursing school, especially in an acute care setting. Why? There are many reasons: networking, hands-on learning, work provides structure to my studying. I adhere to stricter study schedule than many of classmates who do not work. Working forces me to prioritize. Working in a hospital has enhanced my learning in the classroom. I remember information better when I have experienced it.

My recommendation? look for a position with a low hour requirement. You can always pick up hours.

Things to keep in mind: after taking fundamentals clinical most states will let you sit for a nursing aide certification exam. However, if you start a job in an acute care setting the training will likely take at least a month and require more hours than the position you were hired for. In other words, it is difficult for people to complete job training while classes are in session. Easier to accomplish before school starts or on a break. And you have to be willing to make some sacrifices. I work very hard and most of the time my life exclusively work, school, sleep, and exercise. Some people have greater responsibilities than me like parenting! Food for thought.

I would 100% recommend having a CNA job. Hard work, but great experience especially if you try to start thinking like a nurse and soak in as much as you can. Good luck to you!