Working while in nursing school isn’t recommended. Nursing school will take up most of your time, so you should treat it like a full-time job. If you need to work, choose a role that will help prepare you for your career, like a home health aide or CNA.
It’s no secret that nursing school is an investment. This prompts many applicants to consider working while in nursing school. The real question, however, is not “Can you work while in nursing school?” but “Should you work in nursing school?” Even if you could fit in a few hours of work here and there, you’ll need to carefully consider whether doing so would detract from your studies and interfere with your goal of becoming a nurse.
At Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU), our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a fast-paced curriculum that allows you to earn your nursing degree in as few as 15 months. Given the intense commitment required, we advise students to treat nursing school like a full-time job.
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If you’re still considering working while in nursing school, you should first weigh the pros and cons. Then, consider your ideal job and make a plan to balance work, school and life.
Can You Work While in Nursing School?
Although it may technically be possible to work while studying to become a nurse, doing so is not ideal. Here at NDMU, we don’t recommend it. Between skills and simulation labs, clinical placements and your coursework, becoming a nurse is a full-time job. It’s ideal to focus entirely on your studies so that you can graduate well-prepared to take the NCLEX and succeed as a nurse.
Balancing work and school will be tough, so before you decide to work during nursing school, connect with the NDMU Financial Aid Office to explore alternative means of financing your education. If you must work in nursing school, you’ll need to find a flexible job that accommodates your rigorous schedule and figure out how to have a healthy school-work balance while still reserving time for yourself.
Working During Nursing School: Pros and Cons
Is it hard to work while in nursing school? It can be challenging to find the time needed to stay on top of your coursework, study, prep for the NCLEX and still fit in a few shifts here and there. As with everything, however, there are some advantages to consider alongside the drawbacks.
Working during nursing school pros:
- Earning a paycheck
- Gaining work experience
- Building a Network of references
Working during nursing school cons:
- Having little free time
- Managing schedule conflicts
- Having increased stress
How Much Can You Work While in Nursing School?
If you’ve decided to try working throughout your studies, the next issue to consider is how often to work. Is it possible to go to nursing school and work full-time? If your full-time job requires 40 hours per week and nursing school also requires at least 40 hours per week, you’ll have to put in work weeks of 80-plus hours. You would likely have to put in full shifts of work each weekend with no days off, and you would have to use all your excess time for studying.
Think carefully about the sustainability of this schedule over 15 months before moving forward with it. It will be more feasible to work full-time while you’re completing the prerequisites for nursing school and then switch to part-time work during nursing school. Additionally, it’s best to decide in advance where you’ll draw the line in terms of work encroaching on your school responsibilities. For example, if you get poor grades during your first semester, you’ll likely need to cut back on your work hours or stop working entirely to focus fully on school.
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Best Jobs for Nursing Students
Because accelerated nursing school should be your top priority while in the program, you’ll need an employer who understands your commitment to your schooling. Flexible scheduling is critical, so you might consider looking for freelance, student worker or remote jobs. Alternatively, some of the best jobs for nursing students provide health care experience.
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
CNAs work with nurses, which would give you great insight into your future career. They provide basic care to patients, focusing predominantly on the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing and feeding.
Hospital Clerical Workers
Clerical workers, including receptionists, work with patients and hospital personnel. Hospital clerical workers typically help place doctors’ orders in the electronic system, answer phones, answer patients’ questions and perform other secretarial duties.
Home Health Aides
Home health aides assist disabled and/or elderly clients in their homes with daily tasks. They may transport the client to medical appointments, perform housekeeping, help with ADLs, shop for the client’s groceries and more. This can be a rewarding part-time job for nursing students.
Tips for Balancing Work and School
If you’re working while in nursing school, remember to stay organized and develop your time management skills. Keep in mind that not only do you need to keep up with your coursework, attend labs and complete clinicals, but you’ll also need to start studying for the NCLEX licensure exam. The following tips may help:
- Use a day planner or a scheduling app
- Create your schedule for the week in advance
- Don’t try to cram for school tests or the NCLEX; instead, start studying in advance
- Break your study sessions into smaller chunks of time instead of planning marathon study sessions
- Prioritize tasks and reprioritize them as needed
- Practice self-care, including exercising, eating well and using good sleep hygiene
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Financial Tips for Nursing Students
Since it’s best to avoid working while in nursing school, you can try some strategic financial planning before deciding to work, consider the following tips:
- FAFSA: Fill out the FAFSA each year you’re in school to have access to any federal student aid you may qualify for
- Scholarships: Apply to as many scholarships as possible
- Private loans: Shop around for the best rates and terms on private loans to help cover tuition and living expenses
- Living arrangements: Consider getting a roommate or moving in with a family member to reduce your expenses
- Budgeting: Create a monthly budget and stick to it
- Thrifting: Minimize purchases as much as possible, and when you do need to make a purchase, consider buying secondhand
Are You Ready to Jumpstart Your Career in Nursing?
Accelerated nursing school is challenging, and working while in nursing school is even more so. Nonetheless, while generally not recommended, it’s possible if necessary. By focusing on prioritizing nursing school for the 15-month ABSN program, the payoff to your future career as a nurse could be worth it.
At Notre Dame of Maryland University, we provide extensive student support to help you succeed, including Academic Success Coaches, faculty mentoring, tutoring services and individualized learning within small classes. Plus, you can choose from on-campus or online coursework for greater scheduling convenience. Contact an admissions advisor today to find out if our ABSN program could be right for you.