Working While in Nursing School??

CDeniseGo · Feb 9, 2010

Currently, I work in a casino. I deal blackjack from 8p-4a. Although it allows me to have my day free to study and go to school, I am full-time, and always sleepy/cranky! I decided that I'm going to either sleep when I'm dead or whenever I finish school: whichever comes first! Good luck!

RichLovina · Feb 9, 2010

Many who come to Australia, as a student, can work 20 hrs per week whilst studying. Carer work is popular but there are others. Also am doing more research on RNs in Cebu?

CeilingCat, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2010

For my school it would be REALLY hard, unless you worked weekends only. On just a day or two's notice, they'll decide to add a mandatory workshop or something... and most employers don't want to changing schedules around every week.

twntrbo15 · Feb 9, 2010

i bartend on Friday and Saturday nights. Good money for only 2 nights a week

liveloverescue · Feb 9, 2010

I work as an ER tech every Sat and Sunday 12-12. I find time to study during the week but it makes it hard to have a social life.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2010

I work full-time 16-hour weekend double shifts every Saturday and Sunday, from 6am to 10pm, as an LPN/LVN in a nursing home. This schedule enables me to have Monday through Friday off so that I may attend school full-time during the week.

jorjaRN · Feb 10, 2010

I think it probably depends on your program, how set your schedule is/when you have class, etc. I went to school at a large university with a 4-year nursing program. The years that I had just class, I was able to schedule my classes to be on only three days a week. Once clinicals started, they were Wednesday through Friday, so I knew my schedule ahead of time.

I was a baby-sitter/nanny for the whole time, which worked out great because it was after school hours, and before clinicals, I was able to arrange my classes so I could have at least two afternoons a week free. The family I worked for was great, and luckily pretty flexible. It also paid pretty well.

We had a requirement through our program that we obtain a certain number of hours either volunteering or working in an acute care setting. They had a program in partnership with the large hospital where most of our clinicals were that trained students as PCTs that we could take part in if we chose. We then got placed on floors and after an unpaid orientation, had the option to look for hiring on that floor. I did this, and it was great. The position I was hired into was a position specifically for students. We did pretty much what a PCT did, but they were willing to schedule us around any school commitments. They also made it a point to have you shadow a nurse every once in a while if you chose, and tried to expose you to any extra learning experiences possible. Once hired, the pay there was great. I ended up working one day shift a week, and an evening shift on Sundays. I learned SO much in that position.

I would highly recommend looking for something related to healthcare, especially in acute care, because you can make pretty good money and get great experience.

RichLovina · Feb 10, 2010

i'm also looking for nurses in cebu interested in the australian scene and various bridging course options. thanks:):):)

note: please do not post any email addresses on these forums.

BKBS03 · Feb 10, 2010

It definitley isnt easy. I work for a home health agency Monday through Friday 8-4:430 then go straight to school Tuesday through Friday for another 4 1/2 hours and every other weekend. It takes on toll on you, but its do-able! :)

CrazierThanYou · Feb 10, 2010

Currently, I do home health care. I do everything required for my client and then she allows me to study. Works out great BUT when I start my actual nursing classes in August, that will no longer work out since my classes and clinicals will be during the day. I have lined up (I hope!) a job in an assisted living home where I will work from 6 pm Friday night until 8 am Monday morning. I will get lots of hours in over a weekend and I will have plenty of study time.

MissCharlieRN · Feb 10, 2010

Eh, I work 40 hours a week at my job as a shift supervisor at a retail pharmacy. I work 12 hr shifts Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, then work a 6 hour shift on Tuesdays. It's very exhausting. I have 16 clinical hours a week plus a 2 hour lab and a 3 hour lecture. Tons of clinical homework, etc. It's important to budget your time. My clinicals are Wednesdays and Thursdays, so when I get home at 3 on Wednesday I'm doing clinical homework until about 8 or 9. Thursday I finish up any leftover clinical homework. Since I work 7a-7p, when I get home from work I study usually from 8-10, then go to bed. No time to really go out and have fun, but this method has worked pretty well for me since I graduate in May.

I'm kinda wondering how I'll handle my schedule in March when I start my "transitions" course. That'll bump me up to 24 clinical hours a week. yikes.