Anybody Turn Down an Assistantship?

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Well, I just found out today that I was granted a research assistantship (full tuition, $20,000/yr stipend, plus health insurance coverage for me only) in my BSN-PhD program. I would be required to work as a RA for the standard 20 hours a week in the Fall & Spring semesters (which I would be thrilled about).

Here's the rub: my husband is also a full time student (engineering), and has 2 more semesters left. I am carrying our health insurance, because he is self employed until he is done with school. I actually have great benefits, and an easy job working from home as a disease management educator. My boss is wonderful, and is really willing to bend over backwards to tweak my schedule around my classes, as long as I get my 40 hours in.

If I take the assistantship, I will have to pay out of pocket for their insurance, and my income (including student loan money) will drop by about $16,000/year. It's not so bad a bargain for working $20 hours a week, though.

I really, really want to do this, but what I want to do is not agreeing with what I need to do. I'm also afraid that if I turn down the assistantship this year, that it won't be offered to me next year, when my husband will be done with school, will have a much better income, and can carry the insurance.

So, what do you guys think my chances are of getting this opportunity again if I turn it down this time? Have any ideas as to how I could make this work? We don't have part time positions where I work, so that wouldn't be an option. I can't go back to the bedside, due to a tibial nerve problem in my right ankle. I may be able to go back to teaching clinicals part time, though.

I am kicking myself for thinking of turning this down.

[marachne]

Can you say a little more about the GRA? Will you be doing something that will also help you develop as a researcher? I know this isn't answering your struggle about needing to keep the insurance and money coming in, but I just have to say that from my own experience my GRA was an incredible opportunity -- it gave me an opportunity to learn most of the research process by doing, as well as gave me my committee and my final dissertation topic! (Sometimes it may be possible to even get your data this way--do a secondary analysis if it's something your're interested in enough).

I don't know anything about how your school/program works, so I can't tell you what are the possibilities for getting another GRA next year. How did this one come your way? Do you know of other faculty who are putting in grants that it might make sense to write you into? I had someone do that to/for me, with the understanding that I was under no obligation to take the position, which, as much as I would've loved to have been part of the project, I didn't have the time/energy to devote to it.

Oh dear babling. if this helps, great. If you want to talk more off line, PM me.

miriam

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Thanks Miriam- I'll PM you. You're awesome.

[llg, PhD, RN]

What does your academic advisor say? You need to be talking with someone who knows your particular school, the likelihood of getting a similar assistantship next year, etc. It sounds like a grear opportunity -- but one that does not fit your personal life right. To take advantage of the professional opportunity, you and your husband will need to make a sacrifice in your personal/financial life.

So ... be sure to get ALL the information you can get before making this judgment call. Talk with everyone at the school who can add to your knowledge before you decide.

Also, there may be some other options for student funding (e.g. grants and fellowships) that won't require the same personal sacrifice. Again, someone at your school would know about those programs.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Thanks, llg. The program only had 2 fellowships given out this year, and I did apply for one, but didn't get it this year. I didn't think I would: there are people in the program who have paid their dues, and have already done assistantships, so I know I'm on the bottom of the totem pole there. I do want to do a fellowship outside the institution next Summer, though.

I've been looking at grants, but from what I can tell, most of them require a research project, and I was hoping to get some RA experience under my belt before I tried that kind of undertaking. Is it do-able to get enough grant money to pay for individual insurance, etc. in the first year? If that's a possibility, I may actually be able to do this.

I will ask my advisor about my chances of getting the offer again next year. I'm definitely OK with making financial sacrifices, but can't do without insurance. We're all meeting at the assoc. dean's house in a few weeks. I will be able to network with the other students then. I jsut didn't want to take too long to decide, as there may be someone on the back-up list ready to take the RA if I can't.

I am really glad you and Miriam are here. It's so helpful to have you to bounce things off of before I bug my advisor. Thanks to both of you for your input.

[dianacs]

BBFRN, have you reached a decision?

[llg, PhD, RN]

I had lots of friends who worked "regular jobs" through their PhD programs. In fact, getting a good assistantship is the exception, not the norm. It is unlikely to kill your career if you turn it down.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

BBFRN, have you reached a decision?

dianacs,

I may have a solution to the problem, but I won't know anything until mid-August. If this solution doesn't pan out, I will turn it down, though. As my husband puts it, they are getting cheap labor if I take it. Even though research is my goal, I will have to make a decent living this year.

I'm getting some creative ideas from people who have been-there-done-that, so I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. Thanks for asking.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

I had lots of friends who worked "regular jobs" through their PhD programs. In fact, getting a good assistantship is the exception, not the norm. It is unlikely to kill your career if you turn it down.

Thanks llg- that makes sense. My advisor has been suggesting that I don't work a regular job, but I am so glad to hear that there are a good number of people out there that do it. I was afraid that it would be near impossible. Have I mentioned lately how glad I am that you're here? :chuckle

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Well...I turned it down today. They needed my employee info to get my file & payroll started, but I can't commit to it right now. I think I made the right decision- I just hope it doesn't go against me next year, when I don't have to work full time. If it does, I will focus on grants & fellowships. They'll probably be more lucrative, anyway. Thanks for the insight, guys!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Good luck!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Well, I had my orientation today, and after speaking with a couple current students, I'm glad I turned it down this year. It seems they have some kinks to work out, which won't get worked out for a little while. Thank Gawd I didn't quit my job! I think I'll stay right where I am this year. I'm glad I listened to you guys.