Forced to Quit My Job To Follow My Dreams

Nurses General Nursing

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I just need to vent a little,so here goes......I am a single mother of 3,who has always wanted to go into the Nursing field.But for one reason or another,I've never been able to pursue it.After over 10 years of putting my dream on hold,I decided that now is the time.So I began to study and prepare,I passed all the necessary tests and was accepted into school,with a start date of Jan 4,2010:yeah: My plan was to continue to work at my non-nursing related job(part time):typingand go to school evening/weekends. However everything changed just last week,when I got a phone call from my school informing me that they didnt have enough enrollments in the evening/weekend program,so therefore it was being cancelled,they gave me two options:1.Wait until May(and hope there would be enough evening/weekend enrollments) or 2.Switch to morning classes Naturally,I choose to start in the morning classes,I mean,Why wait til May and there was no guarantee? I could just take my employer the new school schedule and then I could work evenings instead,since we stay open til midnight,Right?.....WRONG!! I was told that they couldnt change my schedule and that I am expected to be at work on monday morning at my regularly scheduled time,which is the same time time I should be in my first class!!:angryfire:banghead:

So I would just like to know if any of you have ever been put in this situation? What did you do?How did it turn out for you? also any words of encouragement,would be greatly appreciated and By the way,if i didnt mention it before....I am choosing to follow my dreams and to my former employer this is what I think of your desk job:throcomp:

Specializes in Emergency Room.

as long as you can afford it, i say go for it. always have a plan B and think with a clear head.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

I was in a similar situation many years ago, although as a single mom with only one child. My husband left me in the middle of pre-reqs (that Chem final was a killer, he left the night before and emptied our house while I was taking the exam), no income save a part-time minimum wage job answering phones. I took a job as a home health aide to make ends meet while I finished pre-reqs then applied to the local hospital affiliated with the nursing school when I was due to start in August of '97. I worked as a Patient Care Tech while I was in school, took out a fortune in student loans, filed bankruptcy, and applied for welfare benefits. My daughter went to Head Start for free daycare starting my second semester, which saved a small fortune and I hid my car from the repo man every night. I learned to live and eat very cheaply and went without luxuries for a long time. Even now, all these years later, I have a hard time spending money on myself. If I had sat and thought about how I would make it financially, I never would've gone, but I jumped in and swam the best I could. I learned to study and do homework at odd times and unfortunately used the TV for a babysitter all too often, but now I am in a position that I can support my family and I am thankful that I didn't give up. I continued on for my BSN immediately upon graduation from my ASN program and completed that in less than 2 years. It can be done but it takes a lot out of you.

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I would say go for it. There is no guarantees with nursing schools nowadays. If you can take care of your kids on loans/saving/grants etc then go for it. It is very difficult to work and go to school but sometimes you have to make big sacrafices. I left my great job for school and then found a great weekend CNA job 6 months ago. Go with your heart on this one. Good Luck.

Just FYI, I have found that a lot of employers are trying to find ways to get rid of employees(IMO). Some folks I know have been on the verge of losing their jobs due to schedule changes, pregnancy etc. This may be a hint that it is time to go before they try to get rid of you. JUST MY OPINION. Do what it right for you and your kids.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

also want to add that nursing school is very time consuming and if you have only one income you need to really make sure you can make that sacrifice. i assume your children are older and need little supervision. everyone has different circumstances and i have seen many people in situations similar to yours that had to quit nursng school because they under estimated how diificult juggling a job/kids/school could be. not trynig to discourage you at all, just telling the truth. if you are ready and have your finances/childcare in order then you are half way there. good luck!

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Specializes in med surg.

It will be hard but there are lights at the end of your tunnel. I say GO for it! You can start by living off the extra student loans you should be able to get in addition to the grants that are hopefully paying for your schooling. In the mean time start looking for a job to work evenings and weekends. Being a single mom is tough but education and a good paying job sure would help. I also agree that if you can't figure out a plan waiting till May may not be a bad option eithter. If you did you could look for a job now and have it started before you start in may. After you get things started and quit your old job I would write a letter to the editor of your local news paper and tell them what an aweful employer you used to work for and how they tried to kill your dreams! Good luck in your pursuit of happiness! :yeah:

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Im not trying to rain on your parade but if I was in this situation I would wait until May to make sure your children have what they need (food, clothes, shelter). If you have money saved up then go for it but I would always put my children first. Look at all the hungry people in our world, I wouldn't count on 'God'. Sorry just my 2 cents.

I most definitley would count on God...all the way. Faith and Hope is a precious thing.

God Bless:redbeathe

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