Working while in school ?

Nursing Students General Students

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So I start the nursing program next month and at my school it is mon-fri (8-4), with varying clinical times. I'm trying to figure out how many hours per week I will be able to work while still maintaining a great average. Any suggestions or previous experiences ?

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Impossible to say as it varies with individuals. If you have kids, spouse working "odd" hours, no babysitter, live far from school---all can be an issue. If you have family support and can work w/ends I recommend that. I worked full time but had no choice. It depends on what you have to do in real life.

It also depends on how much you need to study personally. I was able to do very well with not a lot of studying but classmates of mine had to study 4-5 hours a night.

Search is your friend. Very common discussion with lots of input

agree with the previous posters, it definitely varies per individual. I'm in my 4th (and busiest so far) semester of nursing school, and I'm working 1 day a week as a nurse assistant. I praise those who work full-time, but with my crazy schedule, sometimes once a week seems like too much. Feel it out in the beginning, and see what works for you. You can always reduce your hours, or quit if need be. good luck!

This is really subjective and based on you. My nursing program absolutely does not allow you to work more than 10 hours a week, and you definitely cannot work the night before clinical, no exceptions.

Specializes in Public Health.
This is really subjective and based on you. My nursing program absolutely does not allow you to work more than 10 hours a week and you definitely cannot work the night before clinical, no exceptions.[/quote']

I'm curious, how do they know you're working more than that? Are they paying you or are you paying them? Psh

I'm curious, how do they know you're working more than that? Are they paying you or are you paying them? Psh

I think they bank on the fact that it's impossible to work more than 10 hours a week and succeed with classes from 8-5 M-F and 6-hour clinicals on Satuday morning. Supposedly one girl was threatened with termination from the program after being caught working as a bartender on the nights before clinical, but I don't know how much truth is behind that, since it was during the first semester scare tactics spiel.

Thanks to everyone. I will just have to feel it out and see what works for me :)

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