Should I quit my MA job to go to nursing school?

[vpace91]

Currently an MA, and I love it, but my dream is to be a nurse. The local community college has an ADN program that is supposedly "nights and weekends", but upon investigation I realized that their idea of "nights" meant "having to be on campus at 2:30 pm". I usually work 8-5:30, so that's an obvious no-go! My office also doesn't do part-time positions- I asked.

The only other option would be to bypass the ADN and go straight into a BSN program (a few of the universities in my area offer ones that start at 5 and my manager is more willing to work with that). But honestly, I'm afraid if I stayed at my job I'd end up exhausted. Everyone says working 40+ hours per week is a bad idea in nursing school if you want to make good grades.

Should I quit? I know a lot of people prefer to work as CNAs, PCTs, or HHAs while in nursing school because those jobs offer experience ​and flexibility. The pay would go down, sure, but I'd also save an arm and a leg on tuition since I'd be going to the community college.

It seems like a no-brainer when I type it out, honestly. But I think that perhaps one of the reasons why this is such a difficult choice for me, is because when I envision myself as a nurse, one of the environments I imagine is a physician office setting. It's always been a good fit for me. I love Family Med and the bonds you form over time with the patients. So part of me doesn't want to throw away valuable ambulatory-setting experience.

Any advice welcome!

[caliotter3]

If you want to hang onto the job for as long as possible while you pursue the BSN, you can try it. If you see it is not working out, you can always resign before things get strained. Full time jobs with school usually work better when they are night shift.

[Newdalo]

I left my job as a MA to go to nursing school. Same deal as you, my office manager tried and tried to create a part time position for me so I wouldn't have to leave but the company wouldn't get on board. I left on good terms so I am eligible for rehire with that company if I were to want to. It was hard to leave but I'm glad that I followed my gut.

[Purple_Clover]

Should I quit?

If you can financially manage it, work as little as possible. If that means changing jobs or not working at all, do it