Tips on How to Work Full-Time and Study

Deciding to pursue your Associate Degree in Nursing and fulfilling your goal of becoming an RN is a big step but it’s a rewarding one. Earning your online ASN degree with Rue’s nursing programs will not only advance your income but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you took the next step in your career.

Many nursing students, though, are pursuing their Associate of Science in Nursing degree while working full-time. Studying, juggling a 40 hour job and staying on top of family, social and personal commitments can cause an overwhelming amount of stress. 

There are ways to manage school and work without feeling like you’re in over your head. Here are a few tips to consider if you’re working full-time and completing your online ASN degree.

Support form your Boss

Believe it or not, many employers recognize the fact that you’re working full-time while pursuing a degree. In fact, if you’re able to balance work and school, most managers will be supportive of their employees learning new skills. Also, because you’re balancing multiple projects at once, your employer might commend you for your ability to multi-task.

Lay your priorities

Splitting up your responsibilities between work and school can get stressful. It’s important to determine what your priorities are for both and how to balance those priorities. Making daily or weekly to-do lists, jotting down in a calendar when projects are due and setting a reminder alert on your phone are just a few examples of how to plan your time and succeed in your associate degree nursing program. Its reasonable to use coursework writing uk to meet the deadline as well.

Saying "No"

Success in an associate degree nursing program relies on your ability to prioritize. Having so much on your plate can make it hard to take on another new task. Don’t be afraid to say “no” when you’ve hit your limit. When you’re asked if you can take on another task from a friend, family member or co-worker, calmly explain to them that you’d love to help but you’ve not sure if you can take more on your plate right now.  Learning to say no may not be easy if you’ve always said yes. However, with practice, saying no can get easier; it can help you to reduce stress and it can help you stay focused on what your priorities are.

Study effectively

With working full-time and completing your Associate Degree in Nursing, you may find there aren’t enough hours in the day to study. When you have a break during your work day, take that time to review notes, read a few pages in a chapter or prepare for an upcoming exam. These small steps can help you retain more material because you won’t need to cram later. Also, while you’re working, see if what you’re learning in your studies can be applied to your current job. This can help you make connections between what you’re studying and real life situations.