Deciding whether or not to attempt to hold down a job during your college years can be a difficult decision. Sure, the extra money is a huge bonus, but is it worth the price of less time to study the things you’ll go over in clinicals? Furthermore, does work boost networking opportunities or subtract from them?
It is important to consider the pros and cons of taking on a job during nursing school before jumping in head first. Otherwise, you may find yourself over-committed and under-motivated.
Con: Demize of a Social Life
Unfortunately, with a job and nursing school to handle, a night out with friends might become more of a once in a blue moon event. Sure, you will probably still meet people in classes or clinicals and maybe make a few work friends, but some studies suggest that random meet ups rather than scheduled time together are the cement used to build friendships. Some of the best friends you’ll ever make are the people you meet in college, not having these friends because of work is a tough pill to swallow.
Pro: Work Experience
However, depending upon where you work, the work experience you gain during college can catapult you into a career. For instance, working as a CNA while earning your BSN can adapt you to hospital life and expose you more situations that prepare you for a career. Likewise, RNs deciding to go back to school to earn a higher degree use their experiences at work to supplement their education.
These experiences can be huge benefits towards building your resume and helping you to feel more comfortable in your first job after graduation.
Con: Limited Study Time
Getting to graduation in good academic standing can be much more difficult if you are working. Nursing school requires a lot of dedication and studying outside of class. This can be made exceptionally difficult if all of your free time is spent at a job. When you’re coming home after a long day of classes and work, finding the motivation to study for your exam the next day can be grueling. Furthermore, the constant stress and lack of free time can become a real drain on both your mental and physical health.
Pro/Con: Networking Opportunities
Finally, finding networking opportunities can be both a pro and con to having a job while in school. If you are working in a position that will promote you with your BSN (for instance, as a health assistant in a local hospital), then you may have numerous networking opportunities in your position every day.
The RNs that you work under may be willing to write letters of recommendation for you, which could help you land an even better position further down the road.
Work can also limit networking opportunities though, especially if you are not working in a healthcare related field. Often times, nursing schools and colleges host events and guest speakers that could become important connections further down the road. Additionally, there may be a number of volunteer opportunities that bring you closer with your community, peers, and professors that you miss as a result of work.
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