• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Best Master of Science in Nursing Degrees

Find a Master of Science in Nursing Program

  • Home
  • Find A School
  • Careers
  • Salary

Will I Be Able to Work Full Time While Completing an Online MSN Program?

Featured Programs:
Sponsored School(s)
Liberty University Logo
Liberty University
Featured Program: Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator
Request Info
Grand Canyon University Logo
Grand Canyon University
Featured Program: M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Education; M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems; M.S. in Nursing: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Adult Gerontology; M.S. in Nursing with an Emphasis in Public Health
Request Info
Walden University Logo
Walden University
Featured Program: Our online master's degree program in nursing offers academically rigorous and culturally relevant specializations that prepare you to improve the quality of patients’ lives, communities, and healthcare institutions.
Request Info
Arizona State University - Online Logo
Arizona State University - Online
Featured Program: Our Accelerated Master's programs allow you to earn your master's degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree.
Request Info
 

You may have decided that pursuing an MSN may be the step you need in order to advance your nursing career. However, you’re not sure if you can afford to quit working in order to go to school. If you’re wondering whether to work while completing an online MSN, here are some points to consider.

Take Stock of Your Situation

The first thing you need to do is to look at your current lifestyle, as well as to assess your educational and career goals. You can start by formulating your career goals in a sentence or two and then posting it somewhere you will see it regularly, such as a mirror or your computer monitor. This will give you a visual reminder and additional motivation as you pursue your degree. Next, consider your current responsibilities. What are your work hours? Do you have a family to care for at home? Can you get some household help from your family or pay a professional to take on some of your current obligations?

Know Yourself

It’s important to know yourself and your habits when deciding whether to work full time while completing your Master’s in Nursing. Are you self-motivated? Are you a procrastinator? Online learning is a flexible option because it often allows you to complete coursework at a time that is convenient for you, while not requiring additional hours commuting to campus and being away from home. That’s great, but you should know that an online program will require you to be incredibly dedicated and able to commit to completing assignments in a timely manner. Having good study skills and a firm grasp on reading comprehension is necessary for those studying online.

Understand Policies

One factor in how many credits you decide to take may be your school’s financial aid policies. Many schools require at least half-time status in order to receive financial assistance. Half-time status is usually two classes, while full-time may only be one more depending on your school’s policy. In addition, if your employer is sponsoring any of your educational credits, it is important to understand what they require in terms of course load and work hours committed. These policies will likely all play a role in your decision as to whether to work full-time while pursuing your MSN.

Weigh the Options

Once you’ve reviewed your goals and personal situation, done a thorough self-assessment and looked at the policies related to your education, take some time to weigh all of the information and to consider your options. If you absolutely must work full-time for financial reasons or to receive financial assistance from your employer, you’ll want to determine how many credits your school considers a full-time course load and what is part-time. Then be truthful to yourself about whether you have the motivation and the time to successfully complete a full-time schedule and not become overwhelmed. It’s a good idea to speak with your academic adviser in order to develop a course schedule that is balanced and works well with your lifestyle, regardless of your decision. You’ll also want work with your adviser to determine how long it will take to complete your degree program. The more information you have, the better decision you will make for yourself.

Keep these factors in mind when deciding whether to work while completing an online MSN.

Primary Sidebar

Nursing Resources

  • Master’s in Nursing Programs By State
  • MSN Careers
  • MSN Salary

Rankings

  • Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the East
  • Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the West
  • Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the South
  • Top 10 Up and Coming Nursing Schools in the North
  • 30 Most Affordable Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree Programs
  • 50 Best University Nursing Schools
  • 30 Most Affordable Online Nurse Educator Programs
  • 30 RN to BSN Online Degrees Under $15,000
  • Top 10 Best MSN Online Programs
Master of Science in Nursing

Infographics

  • Forensic Nursing: C.S.I. meets E.R. [Infographic]
  • Food vs. Medicine [Infographic]
  • AIDS Today: The Facts, Figures, and Trajectory of a Global Illness [Infographic]
  • Blood. Simple. [Infographic]
  • Laugh It Off: How Laughing is Beneficial to Your Health [Infographic]
  • Sick: Epidemic of Chronic Diseases [Infographic]
  • America’s Health (Dis)advantage [Infographic]

Site Information

  • About Best Master of Science in Nursing Degrees
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Footer

© 2025 bestmasterofscienceinnursing.com · All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use