Tips for Working While in Nursing School

Graduating from nursing school can be an important first step toward an impactful career supporting physicians and caring for patients. An education in nursing provides not only clinical skills but also leadership qualities that can translate into workplace success. However, while the experience of nursing school can be immensely rewarding in and of itself, some challenges also exist.

For example, nursing students will need to determine how they’ll pay for tuition, books, and housing, as well as other everyday expenses. For many students, this means working while in nursing school — in some cases full-time. Navigating an academic career along with a regular job can be difficult, but with the right balance, it’s achievable. Consider some of the top tips for holding down a job while pursuing your graduate nursing education .

What Are the Pros of Working While in Nursing School?

Beyond the financial considerations, working while pursuing a nursing education can be highly beneficial.

• Balancing work with academic obligations can help cultivate time management skills, which are essential to success in any career. 
• Working while in nursing school can also provide outlets for stress management, providing students with a chance to focus their attention on something other than coursework.
• Finding work in a clinical or health care setting can be a good way to establish networking connections, which can lead to nurse advancement opportunities .

These are just some of the upsides to working while pursuing a nursing degree. 

Working While in Nursing School: Guidelines and Recommendations

As for specific strategies for maintaining balance, several considerations should be kept in mind. 

1. Keep Priorities in Check

Organization is critical for success in any endeavor, especially when juggling competing obligations. It may be helpful to schedule weekly reviews of major priorities, including examinations or big assignments due in the short term. When evaluating how many shifts to accept in the workplace or which school projects should come first, having an up-to-date list of priorities is crucial. 

2. Establish a Support System

An essential step for nurses everywhere is to ensure a robust support system, including people who can offer encouragement and who they can turn to for practical needs. Parents, siblings, neighbors, and close friends can all play an important role in offering ongoing support.

3. Create Daily Routines

Another important tip is to create and maintain daily routines, a tool that ensures a good rhythm for getting tasks accomplished each day. Many technological solutions can help with daily routines, including calendars, alarms, and reminder apps. Some popular apps are Todoist, Any.do, and Google Keep.

4. Leave Time for Personal Wellness

Working while in nursing school can leave precious little time for hobbies or side activities. Even so, it’s advantageous to create an hour or so each day to go to the gym, meditate, take a long walk, or simply relax with a good book. Without self-care, which includes sleep and regular meals, burnout and physical fatigue are sure to seep in. As part of its well-being initiative, the American Nurses Association (ANA) developed the Vitalize Care app. The app is specifically designed to help nurses manage their time to enhance their mental and emotional well-being.

5. Consider Program Options

Another tip is that not all nursing programs are created equal. Different programs come with different levels of rigor, and some may be easier to balance alongside a full- or part-time job. For example, students may be choosing between an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) vs. a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. They would need to consider the time commitment and requirements for the ABSN and the BSN programs , and then decide which one fits their needs better. Existing nurses may choose to elevate their RN license with a BSN . Also, choosing an online program usually provides more flexibility than a traditional learning environment.

6. Choose the Right Job

Nurses also benefit from choosing low-stress and flexible roles that allow them to hone their clinical skills. Consider roles that are adjacent to the nursing profession (medical interpreter, transcriptionist) or entry-level patient support roles (phlebotomist). 

Maintaining Balance Between School and Work

Working while in nursing school can be challenging. Thankfully, working and learning at the same time comes with many benefits, and with the right mindset, it’s possible to remain organized, focused, and energized.

While weighing your options for an advanced nursing degree, consider the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program from The University of Tulsa . The program offers the opportunity to learn on a flexible schedule, developing both rich clinical competencies as well as a range of leadership abilities.

Explore the program today to learn how it can work for your short-term schedule and long-term goals.

Recommended Readings

Leadership Styles in Nursing

How Leaders Drive Quality Improvement in Nursing

Director of Nursing Education Career Overview

Sources:

American Nurses Association, Well-Being Initiative

American Nurses Association, What Is Nursing School Like? Study Tips to Help You Succeed

Any.do

Google Keep

Indeed, “A Complete Guide to Working While in Nursing School”

Todoist

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses

U.S. News & World Report, “What You Need to Know About Becoming a Nursing Major”

WebMD, “What Is a Registered Nurse?”