what would you do...

[BethT]

I am going to have to give you a little background info before I ask this question so you will understand my predicament.

I am from Arkansas. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it there. I started working with a property mgmt. company 6 years ago and I have been moving, managing their places ever since. It was cool because I didn't really know what I wanted to be when I "grew up" and I made good money (65K). HOWEVER, I work 60 hours a week and off 3 days a month. The money is great and everything but the stress is something else. I am on call 24/7/365.

The company I am working for is like a flushing toilet so to speak, they get your feet wet and just when you think you are comfy WHAM! they flush. I mean, they give me a free apt, paid utilities, cell phone, PLUS 65K. I don't mean to flash my business but you just have to understand why this is such a hard decision for me.

Nursing is my calling. I want it more than anything and I am willing to sacrifice to get there.

Here are my options.

There is a CC here in town that offers the ADN program at night, three nights a week and every other weekend. (I would be juggling this sch. with working my horrific job...and I don't know about that) The only prob. is they are having trouble finding instructors and may not have the program this year (starts in JAN). Wait, or not to wait.... ahhhh

OR-

I could move back to Arkansas, my home. I would then start paying rent and allllll that good stuff, but my husband would be able to support us, it would be realllly tight, but we would get by.

I could get my CNA license so I can get my foot in the door, get me a pt job and get my LPN license first (11 mo.) The school I want to get my LPN license thru offers a bridge program right out of the LPN program which is only 2 nights a week and every other weekend so I could work a little while getting my RN.

And- The Lpn-Rn route in total will be the same amount of time it would take me to get an ADN (2yrs) Lpn 1 yr, bridge 1 yr.

This is so hard guys. I don't know what to do.

Anyone ever been here before?

[NurseJeanB]

Hello TFAM,

I was faced with a similar situation, in that I have worked for the same company for almost 21 years and I had a big decision to make. Nursing had always been my dream. Like you, I was also willing to sacrifice to follow my dream. So I did quit after all those years, but I planned it. I started putting away money in a 529 account for myself. I also have a teenage son who I am saving for. It sounds like you are making a good salary and will be able to put money aside. Now I won't have enough money that it will last the whole 3 years, but it sounds like you won't need that much time. Also my husband does work and we had to work out a budget and cut back a lot. (I had to let my gardener go, which none of my neighbors appreciate.) I also had to promise to cook more. In the end, I am happy with my decision. My old workplace recently laid off several people and the people left are so stressed out, that I know I made the right decision. Also I found I really love school. (Although this week is all about cramming for finals. Ask me how I feel about school after next week) It is scary making such life altering decisions, but it is worth it to go after your dreams. Just make sure you plan well. Best of luck to you. Regards, Jean

[BethT]

Thanks so much! I know what I need to do, its just getting down to it and making that decision. I am such a rationalizer! I can name 10 reasons why I should and should not do it, so far just talking to myself about it is not helping!! lol i am a backtalker... hehe

[mrs.captain.kangaroo]

Hi I also gave up a good paying career, planned ahead with putting money aside for school before I started nursing school. My husband does work and I work part-time. Our income is reduced but we are able to get by and we know it is temporary. I have no children at home so I don't have that responsibility. I got my CNA and worked part-time in the home health field, which has flexible hours although low pay in my area.

I have found nursing school to be difficult but if I try and fail, at least I would have tried. Otherwise, I would wonder all my life if I could have been a nurse.

I took the ADN route although sometimes I wish I had taken the LPN so I could be graduating soon since I just don't like going to school, I do like learning but don't like sitting in lecture, etc. Maybe communicate with the schools, see if you can talk to someone there, look at their NCLEX pass rates...

I have known people to work full-time and go to nursing school, your job sounds awfully demanding to do that and I would be leary of doing that. I've seen people who would make very good nurses fail nursing school because they worked too many hours, and these were young full of energy types. It really does require a lot of your time. I would also be leary of a school that is having trouble finding instructors - is their program new and has it been accredited? If they have problems finding instructors, there may be a reason - do they have high turnover, bad mgmt. will you be getting instructors that are new at teaching (being a great nurse does not necessarily make you a good teacher).

Would you have good family support if you moved back to Ark.? Nursing school is stressful and every bit of support helps.

Well I hope I didn't confuse you more!

But whatever you do, give yourself the chance to follow your dream.