Unemployment & Nursing School

U.S.A. Georgia

Published

Hello all!

I'm an LPN in Macon and I'm currently about a week away from being laid off from my current job due to critically low census (psych hospital). Has anyone here gone back to school to become an RN while maintaining unemployment?

I have already started my paperwork for admissions into the Gordon College bridge program, however, my admission/paperwork will most likely not be in for me to be admitted this semester to finish the remainder of my core, and there is a chance that some of my core will not transfer properly because some of my core classes were taken in Virginia. (All of my PN classes were taken at central georgia tech).

I would love any suggestions, I have 2 years of experience in psychiatric nursing, but nothing else, and the job listings here are slim to nonexistent. I know beggars can't be choosers, but I would prefer not to do agency/home health or traveling, as my experience in med/surg is limited to my school clinicals and would prefer a place where I would be able to have some help relearning/refreshing my knowledge. Of course, if at all possible, I would love to be able to maintain unemployment for the majority of my RN school so I can focus on my studies. I just want to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything in my research.

Thanks!!

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Contact the GDOL. I believe that full time school is one thing they allow to exempt you from job search; however, right now the max is 27 weeks which will never last through a full nursing program.

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27 weeks?? I have been on it since March of this year and was told I am covered until March of next year. At that point I can reapply for more benefits. Maybe it varies from state to state.

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Well, all I know is what I was told directly from the Georgia Dept. of Labor in Atlanta. Maybe Macon has its own rules. I wish you luck in moving on, but I wouldn't count on unemployment.

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I applied at the DOL on Druid Hills in Atlanta!! Not sure maybe Macon is different.

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Specializes in Public Health.
Well, all I know is what I was told directly from the Georgia Dept. of Labor in Atlanta. Maybe Macon has its own rules. I wish you luck in moving on, but I wouldn't count on unemployment.

Yes, I thought that the max was around 26 weeks, at which point you had to reapply. I am considering starting a nursing program early next year, at which point my current job will be ending. I was also considering unemployment while I was in school, but I really don't want to depend on that...I keep worrying that the state will severely cut benefits or find some reason to deny my UI claim. :down:

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I think I read on here somewhere that dol favors school while on employment. If anyone knows please advise.

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Unemployment lasts more than 26 weeks. The first period is 26 weeks but then you are automatically reenrolled for another 26 week period. The maximum benefit period is around 90 weeks but if the state decides to cut benefit amounts that number can change. If you are enrolled in school for more than 10 hours per semester than you do not have to complete the weekly job search. However they may require you to have a form completed by your school's registrar every week confirming that you are still enrolled.

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ThAnks for the info Lishabell

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I was on unemployment for a year and half.

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Did it end by your choice our theirs?

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I thought it was by them but my former classmate is still drawing hers...I guess I could have reapplied. :idea

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