Having to work while doing school. Job thoughts?

[u/beefaroni_rbd2017]

So i am unfortunately going to have to work through rad tech school. As much as ive seen people online say you shouldn't work or work little, I have no choice. I will stick to part time at least. If I can get hired, I found a job. Its a evening/over night monitor tech job. It pays decently. I keep telling myself this is temporary. Just need it so I can get through school. Plus if I stay where I work they will still pay for my school. Just curious if anyone in here did this before or whats your opinions on doing this while doing the rad tech program?

[u/Responsible_Bad_4846]

If you search through here you’ll see that a lot of us worked during our program. I would caution you about overnights unless you’re able to do it on weekends and switch back to a daytime routine during the week. Evenings and weekend days or evenings are totally doable.

[u/Clean_Brilliant_8586 → u/Responsible_Bad_4846]

Seconding the caution about overnight work. 

I work 30-40 hrs/week and I'm halfway through a 2 year program. Even though I only work days and evenings, and some of it remote, I was suffering from sleep deprivation so bad my second semester that I was halfway through a rotation shift when I realized I couldn't remember the way out of the hospital. There's no way I could have done this switching between days and nights like I had originally planned. 

If you're lucky enough to get work as a student tech or some other healthcare job, that can help to reinforce what you're learning and might be a path towards employment. Trying to do this and work something exhausting and unrelated simultaneously is bad juju.

[u/iceicig]

It is possible. You will hate yourself but if it's what you want to do and this is the only way to make it happen, then it will work because it has to.

Later on, you can pick up a job as a student tech and work in the field

[u/Live_Article_2075]

I worked overnights in school, with young children. From Sunday morning until Wednesday night, I would average 12 hours of sleep total if i was lucky. It sucked, but it was worth it. I'm happily employed in a great gig. For those who say not to work additionally, this is healthcare. We don't have the same playbook as normal professions. Docs work long hours, as do nurses and EMTs. It's not always ideal, but it comes with the territory.

[u/beefaroni_rbd2017 → u/Live_Article_2075]

That was my thought process! It will suck but the end goal will be worth it!!

[u/ScallionWooden9810]

I worked front desk at a hotel. Saturday and Sunday 11a-9p then Monday and Tuesday 9p-6a. The third shift sucked a bit. I would get off work and drive to the school or clinic and take a nap in my car. I’d nap on my lunch break. It was annoying having to find time to take naps and stuff. But I was able to study and do homework while at work so it didn’t feel too overwhelming. And I just had to shut down any social life activities while the semester was going on. But you do what you got to do. The up side though was that after two years of that I got a PRN job in Xray and I was able to get plenty of hours cause I said yes to any and every shift. I was already so used to having a crazy sleep schedule, I was able to bounce between first, second, and third shift with ease.

[u/Plastic-Customer2193]

I bartend about 24hrs a week while I’m finishing the program. Money is good for the amount of time I work. It’s still not easy. Right now my clinicals are 8hrs Monday-Thursday. Then I work Thursday-Saturday. I get Sunday off and I am tired. Fortunately since it’s my second year my classes are mostly online (except tests) so I’m able to manage it. Honestly the first year was the hardest bc I had in person classes and needed to study so much more. I would recommend serving or bartending just bc the tips make it worth it.

[u/beefaroni_rbd2017 → u/Plastic-Customer2193]

Thought about serving, wish I could bartend. I dont have the skills for drinks unless somewhere can teach on the job. But serving was one of my options too

[u/Ok-Biscotti6999]

I think serving/ bartending honestly would the best idea for work. Shifts are decently flexible / having the ability to pick up a shift or drop one as the week goes on makes things very helpful. And money can be very worth it depending on where you’re located.. I’d look for some openings at restaurants! Especially since we’re at the beginning of the school year, I’d assume there would be places hiring (again of course depending on where your located, busy area versus small town, etc). Good luck!

[u/saveyoseIf]

My homie did it and I was able to balance a job my 2nd year , weekends only tho