Working Students with Children

r0b0tafflicti0n · Jun 25, 2009

I decided, rather than going to school part time and working full time, I was going to save up my money (I was saving for a down payment on a house, which is being put on hold, and I get a pretty decent income-tax return), and quit my full time job. I am going to work in the casual pool during school. I'm a single mother and, to me, it's worth it to be really broke for 2 years than to be at work and school 24/7 and miss the next several years of my son's life. But that's me!

Kyla.ann · Jun 25, 2009

I decided, rather than going to school part time and working full time, I was going to save up my money (I was saving for a down payment on a house, which is being put on hold, and I get a pretty decent income-tax return), and quit my full time job. I am going to work in the casual pool during school. I'm a single mother and, to me, it's worth it to be really broke for 2 years than to be at work and school 24/7 and miss the next several years of my son's life. But that's me!

This is really what I am leaning toward myself because my children are so young and I really don't want to miss anything (I already miss so much working as it is) We are really working hard to save up some money and pay some things off in time for me to quit, but I am afraid that when the time comes, we might not really be ready for that yet.

Butterfly3001 · Jun 26, 2009

For me personally, I couldn't see myself working fulltime and going to school full time. Nursing school requires ALOT of studying and for me that would be too much. Not to say that you can't work at all, because I do work every weekend (20hrs). So if possibly work parttime or find a hospital who will pay you for going to school. Thats what I'm doing and its great, fulltime pay and I only work 2 days a week. Good luck to you!!

shann106 · Jun 26, 2009

I wish people would quit telling people they can't work. I am a single mother, work full time, have a part time job, and am a full time nursing student. Luckily my daughter is 10yrs (going into 6th grade), so that helps. I do think it would be harder if she was younger.

You can work in nursing school and still have a family. Most of the non-traditional students in my class work. Most of us do 3 12 hour shifts, just seems to work better with the school schedule. You just have to study, before the kids get up, after they go to bed, while they are at dance, girl scouts, etc.

You have to learn to utilize every spare moment. You will have to give up TV, and playing on the internet, but it can be done.

This fall semester my schedule will look like this:

Monday- clincals 6am- 5pm, pick dd up take her to girl scouts (study in the car while she is there)

Tuesday Psych 9am-12pm Med-Surg II 1-5pm, pick dd up, take her to dance (study in the hallway), I will get to campus at 7:30am and study before psych, and while eating lunch betwen psych and med-surg

Wed- work 7am-4pm part time job

Thursday work part time job 7am-11am, drive 1 hour to campus Med-Surg II 1-5pm

Friday, Sat, Sun 12 hour shifts at full time job.

Every night I will study at least for 3 hours (9pm-12am)

It is a tough schedule, but I will do it, and keep the house clean, go to the grocery, bank, do the laundry, help my daughter with her homework, etc.

It is no fun, but it can be done, and done well. I have maintained mostly A's, until this past semester when I got a B (by one point) when I worked 80 hours a week the last 6 weeks of class.

I do it on my own, you have a husband, and probably more supportive extended family than I have. If your husband will help with the kids and the housework it would be totally doable.

greeniebean · Jun 26, 2009

I work Baylor at an LTC. I work 2 12 hour shifts and get paid like I'm full time! Of course I'm not in nursing yet but I'm sure it'll be helpful once I am!

r0b0tafflicti0n · Jun 26, 2009

I wish people would quit telling people they can't work. I am a single mother, work full time, have a part time job, and am a full time nursing student. Luckily my daughter is 10yrs (going into 6th grade), so that helps. I do think it would be harder if she was younger.

No one said you CAN'T do it. I COULD keep my full time job, but after working full-time last year and going to school part-time with an infant with no father worth mentioning (not even a part-time babydaddy), no extended family in the area, I realized that this is NOT the life I want for 3 more years: I want to quit my full-time job and get this s--t done full time NOW.

I'm not willing to work full-time weekends and be away from him all week and all weekend. He's only 21 months. We need to spend time together.

My program is full time during the workweek, but since I have taken some of the classes already I will have a day or 2 off so I will work at the hospital as a tech (casual) during those days. I will pick up an extra evening or weekend shift here and there as well.

shann106 · Jun 27, 2009

No one said you CAN'T do it.

I did not mean on this particular thread, I meant in general, This board has thread after thread asking if working while in nursing school is doable because they have been told over and over it is not possible.

The original poster said :

Everything I have read says you cannot work while in the program but I just don't know if that is going to be feasible for us

With the econonmy student loans are becoming harder and harder to come by and I hate the idea that there are people that want to pursue their dream of becoming a nurse but put it on hold because they need to work and have been told that it is not possible.

MystyqueOne, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2009

For those of you that have small children and work full time while in the nursing program, HOW do you do it?!?! Everything I have read says you cannot work while in the program but I just don't know if that is going to be feasible for us. We have two daughters (5 years and 10 months) to support and if I quit it would cut our income in half!
I know some of you work. So what are your secrets for success?!? Do you still get time with your children or is there barely any left at all? How do you manage your time between work, school, and your kids?

I am in your same exact shoes. I have an almost five year old and an almost four month old. I am currently a part time CNA (hospice care) and am wondering how I'm going to manage full time (accelerated) nursing school (BSN) on top of being a nurse assistant and nursing mother (breastfeeding)!!! So, I'm going to follow this thread and see what others have to say. I absolutely REFUSE to go to formula, in my situation. I have too many food allergy issues amongst the family. So far, looks like I'll be able to manage... that is until clinicals start, then I'll probably be forced to quit work and take out an alternate private student loan to cover what I would've made via working. That's my thoughts. I hate the idea of going more into debt, but if it's going to get me through nursing school, then that's what I'll have to do!!!

In the end, it'll all pay off!!!

goodstudentnowRN · Jun 27, 2009

hmmm...I work full time and attend school. The only thing is that I have my theory classes online. I go to clinical every sunday. It is very hard but it can be done. I cannot wait to finish because my daughter suffers as a result of my busy schedule. Gosh! I have about 17 weeks left in school. This has been a truly long journey...God has brought me this far and he is not about to leave me in limbo....back to studying.