Working weekends and being a senior nursing student...crazy?

[gl0wing]

I am a senior nursing student taking Adult/Med surg 2 (class and clinical), Community (class and clinical) and Evidenced based practice. I am taking 15 credits..Monday and Tuesday I have classes from 8am-445. Wednesday and Thursday I have clinical all day (0615-1600). I am currently working Friday and Saturday nights (at a restaurant) from 445-about 2am. I don't HAVE to work..I have enough money saved up that when I graduate I will not be in debt or have loans to pay off..I have enough money to pay for my car,phone,groceries, etc. until May when I graduate. I just hate not making money! But working so late messes up my sleep schedule since I don't get home until 2 and finally get to bed about 230am. Not working would also be a lot less stressful. I keep going back and forth and I can't make up my mind. I also would not be working next semester since I have practicum and will be working in the hospital 40 hrs each week plus class. To let you know a little more about me, I have a boyfriend (almost 2 years). He understands my crazy schedule but I find myself constantly missing spending time with me. Not working would add in a little extra time to see him on weekends and de stress. So what do you think...work and be stressed but make money? Or less stress but no money? Are a lot of you working while in school? What are your thoughts on it?

[anonymousstudent]

Don't work if you don't have to.

I'm a SAHM to 3 little kiddos. I work from 6:30 am - 8:30 PM M-F. I'm in a hybrid program, so I go for labs in the evening once a week (I find a sitter) and have clinical on the weekend. It's hard. If you don't have to do that I don't see why you would?

[bonn_bai]

I would work even if I didn't have to because jobs are so hard to come by these days. Even that little bit of extra work experience is going to help you in the future. Also, when you are working you are networking with people who could potentially employ you later.

I am single, working full-time while in school and I have a child at home. I would never quit working, not as a single person anyway. I have seen too many people lose jobs and sit at home for months and months looking.

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I am in the same boat as you, and this question is really tough for anyone but you to answer. I had to make the same decision, but instead of quitting I cut back one shift. I used to work 4 times a week and now I work 3. Honestly, I could manage it either way but I like my current arrangement. You working those hours during weekends do not seem bad, 2:30 bed time isn't that late for me. You would just wake up later in the AM. My restaurant job lets me get home around 11 and then I go see my boyfriend, we either stay at his place or go out. Either way we don't go to bed until that time or even later. This economy should make you think twice about quitting a job. I am actually making money during school and have no debt. I couldn't stand just going to school and doing school work all day. There needs to be some variety.

[TRR8021]

I probably wouldn't work if I didn't have to... no, I DEFINITELY wouldn't work if I didn't have to lol. I just applied for a weekend job in addition to my full time job because I need to pay these bills off. I feel a little crazy for even considering it with school, but it's on the weekends 8p-2a. I have no social life as it is so it's not like I'm taking away from that lol.

Maybe you could do like another poster said and just cut out a shift. That way you'll still feel productive and have less stress.