How to Balance Nursing School and Work
Written by:
Wilson College
• Nov 6, 2025
Across the country, nurses have recognized the value of advanced expertise and are pursuing graduate education in nursing. For example, 136,656 students were enrolled in master’s-level nursing degree programs in 2024, a nearly 5% percent increase in enrollment over 2023, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Earning a graduate degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can lead to career advancement and allow a nurse to provide more complex and specialized care. The availability of online MSN programs has provided students with greater flexibility in completing an MSN degree while continuing to work in full- or part-time jobs. Working while going to nursing school can be challenging, but learning how to balance school and work can make the process easier.
Benefits of Earning an Online MSN
Completing an online MSN program offers students a wide range of benefits.
Flexibility
Earning an online MSN offers students a measure of flexibility they can’t get through traditional in-person classes that are held on strict schedules. For example, completing asynchronous coursework and having the ability to pursue a degree at your own pace are invaluable in allowing you to align your education with your other commitments. Ultimately, this flexibility makes it easier to balance school and work and complete a graduate degree.
Career Advancement
Individuals who complete advanced degrees in nursing become qualified for roles with higher levels of responsibility. For example, they can progress into positions such as nurse managers, chief nursing officers, or nurse educators. They can also work as nurse navigators, clinical instructors, or health coaches. Earning an advanced degree in nursing is a great way to work in more specialized and advanced areas that parallel your passions in nursing.
Increased Salary
Earning an online MSN is also a great way to enhance your earnings. According to Payscale, as of July 2025:
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The median annual salary of individuals who had a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) was approximately $98,000.
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The median annual salary of individuals who had an MSN was approximately $108,000.
Increased Engagement
When compared with traditional on-campus courses and their associated textbooks, an online educational program with interactive features has the potential to make the learning process more engaging and lead to greater student satisfaction. A 2023 study published in the journal Nurse Educator concluded that online nursing education programs that use interactive features can allow nursing students to:
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Engage with information in new ways
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Monitor their progress more easily
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Receive feedback immediately
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Acquire and retain knowledge more readily
Tips for Balancing Work and Nursing School
Earning an online MSN while continuing to work can be easier with nursing school tips that facilitate working while getting a degree. The tips below illustrate approaches that students can try to balance pursuing advanced education with working.
Schedule Your Responsibilities
Everyone’s time is limited, but prioritizing, scheduling, and planning how you’ll meet your responsibilities and obligations can help you make the most of each hour. Writing down your responsibilities and the dates when you will complete them—or using an app to do the same thing—can help you carve out time for studying, working, and spending time with family.
Inform Employers and Others About Commitments
Sharing information with your employer and others in your life can help in creating a schedule that meets everyone’s needs. For example, if you know you will be taking a significant exam in the future, share that information with your employer and family members, so you can adjust your work schedule or family obligations as needed to accommodate everyone.
Remain Organized
Disorganization can waste valuable time, so striving for organization is important. Doing tasks such as regularly updating your to-do list, keeping your school supplies and study aids orderly and in the same location, and routinely charging all your devices every night can help you maintain a sense of organization.
Maintain Your Health
Balancing nursing school with work is easier when you are in good health. Eating well, going for short walks, and getting sufficient sleep can help ensure that you have the energy to tackle all the demands on your time. Exercising and taking short breaks can clear your head and help you refocus on the task at hand.
Identify Study Techniques That Work for You
Being open to new approaches and techniques for studying can help balance going to nursing school with working. Explore using audiobooks or educational apps to aid in your learning process. Additionally, consider using small amounts of time during your day—for example, when waiting on a bus or while on a work break—to watch an educational video or go through a set of flash cards.
Get to Know Your Classmates
Forming virtual connections with fellow students in an online nursing program can lead to opportunities to create online study groups or exchange study tips. Sharing your experiences with other students who are also working while in school can help reduce stress.
Remember Your Goals and Celebrate Your Progress
Individuals attend nursing school with certain goals in mind, and periodically reminding yourself about your goals and the reasons you are pursuing a graduate degree can be beneficial. Recognizing and celebrating incremental progress as you complete exams or classes and progress through your degree program is a great way to stay motivated.
Balance School and Work With an Online MSN
Being a student while working can be challenging, but the rewards of balancing nursing school and work can make the effort worthwhile. Completing a graduate degree in nursing can allow individuals to advance in their careers, pursue the types of work in which they have an interest, and make significant contributions to the nursing profession.
Wilson College Online’s MSN degree program can help nurses achieve their career goals. Requiring no clinical hours, this online program offers tracks in Education, and Leadership and Management and allows students to complete an MSN on their own schedule. Take the first step toward advancing your nursing expertise today.
Recommended Readings
Can Nurses Increase Their Salary With an MSN?
Chief Nursing Officer: Salary, Job Description, and Requirements
Sources:
Indeed, A Guide to MSN Nursing Programs
Indeed, “How to Balance Work While Going to School (Specific Tips)”
MetaSense, Balancing Nursing School With Work and Family: Tips for Success
Nurse Educator, “Benefits of an Online Interactive Educational Program Over Traditional Textbooks”
