Working part time while in Nursing school

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Apr 27, 2014

I just started a CNA job a little over a month ago, just finishing my first year of NS. It's been a challenge. Not the time management as much as the exhaustion. But that's just me, and CNA work is NOTHING like clinicals where we learn patient care. It's exhausting.

ambitiousBSN · Apr 27, 2014

I agree with the above comment. I work part time on the weekends and it certainly poses a challenge because I work night shift (11p-7:30a) and I'm unable to do any studying or assignments during my shift, so the weekends are full of sleep and work, and little time to do much of anything else. Most of my "weekend" work is done on Sunday- which is what I'm gearing up to do after I get a nap in!

I suggest trying it out and seeing how you manage. Good luck!

PNW0212 · Apr 27, 2014

How much wiggle room do you have? Are you able to not work while in school? I suggest taking the first semester or quarter off, or just working 1 day a week so that you can get your feel for nursing school and find a routine! Good luck :-)

schnookimz · Apr 27, 2014

I had no problem working full time all the way through nursing school and you can find many other people on here who did the same.

Having a part time job shouldn't be that difficult if you spend your time wisely.

RunBabyRN · Apr 27, 2014

It's worth trying. Save up money just in case that doesn't work for you. I quit my job about a month into my program because my boss refused to cut back my hours, and scheduled me for every single day and hour I was "available" (which I'd given for flexibility, not to get a ton of hours).

annbananz · Apr 28, 2014

I started working as a CNA at my local hospital 2 weeks before nursing school started. I wanted the job because I knew it was probably my only chance to get my foot in the door of the hospital I wanted to work at in a city that has numerous nursing schools and only 2 major hospitals. I was told when I first started working on the unit, that it is the toughest unit to work in out of all the hospitals in the area and that if I could work on this particular unit then I can work anywhere. It definately is a tough unit, I learned a lot...a whole lot... more than I did in clinicals. I struggled with juggling work, school and a family...my life consisted of school, work, family, get some sleep and do it all over again the next day. I was hired on for part time but actually worked full time for the most part. I am the sole provider for my family so I had to work while in nursing school. I beileve anything is possible if you have the drive and determination to do so. It was and still is tough to work full time, raise a family and go to nursing school. People ask me all the time "when do you sleep?" or "how do you do it?" Honestly, I don't know...I just take it one day at a time...and almost 2 years later of full time work, school and mommy-hood, I'm 12 days away from graduating with my BSN. Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it too! :) Best of luck to you!

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2014

It's worth trying. Save up money just in case that doesn't work for you. I quit my job about a month into my program because my boss refused to cut back my hours, and scheduled me for every single day and hour I was "available" (which I'd given for flexibility, not to get a ton of hours).

This happened to me, too. What should have worked out didn't because someone just had to go and claim disability (fraudulently) and screwed the whole thing up so I had to quit. Really bummed me out because it was sweet gig and the pay was still good. It just got to the point where I felt overwhelmed with everything and no amount of time management was going to help (plus, the end of that year was essentially a big practical joke in terms of drama in my life so that really derailed a lot for me).

However, if it seems to be smooth sailing for you, I implore you to remember this. Anytime you can get ahead on something, you must. You will always thank yourself for doing so. The moment you have spare time to do anything, maximize it and you will always keep your head above water.

Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B · Apr 28, 2014

It's worth trying. Save up money just in case that doesn't work for you. I quit my job about a month into my program because my boss refused to cut back my hours, and scheduled me for every single day and hour I was "available" (which I'd given for flexibility, not to get a ton of hours).

Yeah, learn the system. Work the days you want. Then those "extra" shifts you pick up outside your given schedule, will make you look a saint.

When you say you can work, they will work you.

MSofia · Apr 28, 2014

I have the same question too..I'm worried about working in nursing school too for example most Cna jobs are shift jobs 7-3, 3-11, 11-7...which I think May be impossible to schedule around nursing school. Esp with my school having clinical on weekends and weekday as a 8hour shift schedule. So those that did work was your job a shift schedule? Thanks

schnookimz · Apr 28, 2014

Yes it was a shift schedule. I knew my clinical days pretty far in advance so I just made sure to schedule my work days for non clinical days. I also picked up a lot of 4 hour shifts where the schedule was short, worked a lot of weekends and worked a lot of 12-16 hour shifts if I had a day without class or clinical.

RunBabyRN · Apr 28, 2014

Yeah, learn the system. Work the days you want. Then those "extra" shifts you pick up outside your given schedule, will make you look a saint.
When you say you can work, they will work you.

I'd told them how many hours I could work, and they were cramming in my hours (30 or so) while cutting others. It was very unfair. to all involved, and I felt forced out. It sucked, because I really liked my job, and hoped to stick through it through school and beyond, at least part time.