Any career changers in here?

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 16, 2017

How much responsibility for home and family do you have, and how much energy?

My sister lived in scrubs 7 days a week between school during the day and weekend and night shifts as a tech at a psych facility. She would work a couple of nights a week, go to school, sleep a few hours, go back to work and repeat. She worked her way through school in here thirties, and paid all her bills.

It sounds like you are looking at 3 things to juggle - day job, weekend CNA job and school.

A per diem CNA job with minimal requirements can be done. It depends on how many hours school takes up, and how much flexibility you have.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2017

I was a career changer, although I do not consider my previous position as a factory worker a true 'career' in the literal sense.

I was a 23-year-old single female with a mortgage and other obligations when I quit my factory job of 3 years to enroll in a 12-month LVN program in late 2004. I attended school full-time Monday through Friday from 8am to 3pm in another county. Unemployment checks paid my bills. Unemployment ran out, so I used my savings.

I earned my LVN license in 2006, ASN degree/RN license in 2010, and BSN in 2015. Though I stair-stepped to attain what I have, it has been worth it.

NaturesMedicine · Jan 16, 2017

I have a toddler at home, but I know I need to make sacrifices to make this work. I've cut out a few hours for family time on the weekend and the rest of my time, outside of my day job, is school and studying. I'm only taking one class at a time now because it's all I can afford. Maybe I can try to get a loan so I can take more classes and help with my living expenses, too?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2017

Maybe I can try to get a loan so I can take more classes and help with my living expenses, too?

I strongly advise anyone against ever obtaining loans for living expenses.

Doing so will create a debt burden that must be repaid with one or more nursing jobs that you might very well dislike.

smartassmommy · Jan 23, 2017

I'm not a "career changer" since I have only held jobs that went nowhere. It's not easy going to school with a family to take care of, but it can be done. Remember that pursuing this personal goal will benefit your family financially and as an example to your kids.

GM2RN · Jan 23, 2017

I strongly advise anyone against ever obtaining loans for living expenses.
Doing so will create a debt burden that must be repaid with one or more nursing jobs that you might very well dislike.

I agree with you for anyone who already has a job and is able to pay bills with that job. I also worked in a factory for 21 years making really good money, so when I lost that job I had no hope of replacing that income with a high school diploma. I had no choice but to take loans to help pay for living expenses while in school. I do dislike having to make those payments, but I CAN afford them and without those loans I would not have been able to train for a new career since my family couldn't support me while going through school. So there are certain situations where taking loans for living expenses is justified.

Sour Lemon · Jan 23, 2017

I also took out loans for basic living expenses. It enabled me to focus on school and only work a few hours a week. Full time school and full time work would have been too much for me, although some people are able to manage it well.

I did cut my living expenses way back, though ...moved to a low-rent neighborhood, got rid of my car in favor of a $30 bus pass, had a pay-as-you-go cellphone, etc. I definitely didn't live the high life on borrowed money, but I feel like I would have never gotten ahead without allowing myself to fall a little bit behind, first.