When a person chooses to pursue their nursing degree, they have made a very positive career decision that will reap them many rewards in life. Upon becoming a licensed nurse, an individual will have job security, earn a very good salary and feel complete job satisfaction as they help others.
With that said, the journey to earning a nursing degree will take hard work and dedication. Typically, it will take a student two to four years to earn their nursing degree, and some students will drop out of class before they are able to get this far. There are various reasons for this, but many people end up dropping out due to burnout, taking on too much in their life, and neglecting to balance work and study, as well as down time.
Things To Consider
Before enrolling in nursing school, a person should understand that they will have to dedicate a good portion of their life to their studies. This does not mean that they cannot work while they are attending school. It just means that it is almost impossible for a person to work 40 hours per week and excel at their studies at the same time.
Young students, who are recent high school graduates, generally do not have to worry about being employed as often as older students. They do not usually have the financial obligations that older adults have. Older adults may have rent to pay, credit card bills, a light bill and may even have children to support. These are the students who are generally in danger of burnout and who far too often drop out of school. When they don’t have the energy to continue their rough schedule anymore, they will almost always be forced to choose their job over school.
Can I Still Get My Qualification While Working Part-Time?
Of course you can. In fact, many people find it beneficial to work part-time while they attend nursing school. A student will not only help support their financial obligations, but they will also gain job experience that can be very useful in the future. However, part-time means part-time. Students must be careful to avoid burnout and they will need be able to make adequate time for their studies.
Most people who work part-time find it beneficial to get a job in the healthcare field. Working in a clinic or hospital will help a student get used to the environment that they will one day spend a large amount of time at. This is of course assuming that they finish their schooling and earn their nursing degree. They will also get used to using medical terms and procedures. If a student is able to get a job in the nursing field, their school will sometimes give them credits for their on the job experience. If not, getting the work experience is a reward in itself. Another great thing about working in a clinical environment is that a student will be able to see the daily functions that their co-workers do. This can help them determine what positions they are interested in upon earning their nursing degree.
Other Study Options
Many students go to short term classes to become a certified nursing assistant, home health aid or medical assistant. These classes only take months to complete and graduates will earn a certificate of completion. A student will be able to get a great part time job in these healthcare fields and it can prepare them for taking that next step to their degree and also positively build their resume for more advanced future positions.
When a student has finally finished their nursing school and is a proud recipient of their nursing degree, they will be qualified for advanced positions in the nursing field. With the experience that they have gained from working a part-time job, they have both the education and work experience to qualify them for most job opportunities that they apply for. To conclude, working part-time while pursuing a nursing degree is not only possible, but many times advisable, as long as you get the work/study balance right.