Is It Even Possible to Get a Nursing Degree While Working?

For many prospective nurses, the idea of going back to school for a nursing degree may seem impossible if they are already working full-time. Between juggling work schedules, family commitments, and other responsibilities, fitting coursework and clinical rotations into the mix might feel entirely unrealistic. But with careful planning, resourcefulness, and commitment, earning a nursing degree while working is an achievable goal for motivated students.

Assessing Your Situation

First, think carefully about your current work and life circumstances to weigh whether pursuing a nursing program is viable right now. Factors like the flexibility of your work schedule, your availability for clinical training, access to tuition support, family/childcare assistance, and your overall energy levels will impact what is possible.

For example, hospital nursing assistants may have an easier time coordinating clinicals than full-time retail employees working evenings and weekends on their way to becoming full-time nurses. If your manager refuses to accommodate any schedule changes, earning your degree could prove exceptionally difficult in your current role. Carefully assess what scheduling or policy adjustments are negotiable versus non-negotiable and then weigh what trade-offs or temporary sacrifices you’re willing to personally make before jumping into a rigorous nursing academic program on top of full-time employment.

Choosing the Right Nursing Program

With careful research, you can identify nursing schools designed for working professionals rather than traditional students. Ideal programs offer at least some flexibility regarding class schedules, night and/or weekend courses, a modulated pace rather than condensed curriculum, robust online course options for lectures, and clinical training sites located near your home or workplace to ease commuting strains.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs condense the necessary nursing curriculum into 12-18 months, enabling students to enter the nursing field more quickly compared to two-year associate or longer bachelor’s programs. But that faster pace also demands significantly more weekly time dedicated to coursework and clinical rotations. For those working more than 20 hours a week, part-time BSN and ASN programs are often better options, allowing up to four years to graduate. Some nursing schools also offer RN-to-BSN programs tailored specifically for those who are already RNs with associate's degrees but need to earn a bachelor’s degree for advancement opportunities.

When comparing various nursing academic programs in your area, look closely at the required clinical training components and be sure a selection of local healthcare facilities realistically provide clinical placement coordination for enrolled students. While many lecture courses may be completed online for convenience, nearly all nursing clinical rotations must involve in-person skill development at hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, etc. Even the most flexible nursing programs require those crucial hands-on clinical hours be completed during standard daytime work hours in most cases.

Creating a Balanced Schedule

Once enrolled in a suitable nursing academic program, creating and sustaining a balanced schedule is the lynchpin to prevent unnecessary burnout. If pursuing a part-time track, take only the minimum number of courses or credits allowed each term while maintaining financial aid or scholarship funding. Use intentionally spaced-out class/clinical times across days or locations whenever possible so you’re not stuck on campus or at a hospital site going non-stop for eight or more hours straight. Schedule required weekly study sessions, study group meetings, and other academic preparation in advance on your calendar so those nursing student commitments don’t end up in conflict with scheduled work days or other important responsibilities.

When mapping out the details of your ideal weekly schedule, be sure to cluster classes, required study periods, peer collaboration projects, and clinical rotations in similar timeframes, if possible. And whenever feasible, consolidate other life activities or responsibilities into designated blocks on any free days without school obligations.

For example, you could pack all feasible nursing student commitments tightly together into just two or three days per week if your program allows it. Then preserve the other days in your week exclusively for sustaining your regular employment schedule, meeting family needs and personal tasks or precious moments of leisure. This can help prevent constantly shifting between too many competing roles.

Utilizing Available Resources

Connect with all resources available to help balance work and a nursing program. Speak to financial aid representatives about covering some lost-work wages or childcare costs that will enable you to attend school. Veterans and military service members may have specialized funding opportunities, as well.

Many healthcare facilities provide tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing nursing degrees. Even modest assistance with textbook fees makes a difference. Some hospitals hire nursing students to work flexible schedules that meet clinical requirements. See if the nursing school or a student nursing association offers access to peer mentors, tutoring, or childcare assistance.

Self-Care Strategies for Success

While rewarding, juggling multiple priorities takes stamina. Make self-care a priority by building in personal time for adequate sleep, healthy food, stress relief, exercise, and social connection. Saying no to extra obligations outside work/school preserves energy for academics. Be extremely selective when agreeing to extra shifts, overtime, family events, etc. Consider if each additional commitment helps or detracts from making progress on your degree. If it doesn't help, plan on saying "no" as often as possible. Protecting study time improves retention and academic performance.

Earning a nursing degree while working requires significant personal sacrifice and discipline. But implementing the right strategies makes completing a program possible for motivated students, leading to an exciting nursing career caring for others. Reach out to nursing schools near you to learn more about options for working professionals.