Who is working outside of healthcare while in Nursing School?

Students General Students

Published

You are reading page 2 of Who is working outside of healthcare while in Nursing School?

AUMnurse2b

20 Posts

I am a legal assistant in a law firm and know what all of you mean about hating your job and being unmotivated. I have a scholarship at a nearby hospital and am required to work 16 hours a month there, which is fine. And my employers hired me knowing I was going to nursing school, but I am beginning to hate looking at legalese. If I am successful in my 2nd semester of upper division, then, though the pay cut will be significant, I plan to leave.

jerryh55

109 Posts

I have noticed that most of the replies to this post are from females which leads me to assume there is another wage earner in the house. this gives you a little flexibility as to taking pay cuts to get into a medical type position. I got laid off a few years back after being with a company 17 years. Went from 37,000 p/y to 17,000 on unemployment. It was at this time I decided I needed a new career, and after lots of soul searching, decided to get M\my RN licence. And began pre-req's while unemployed. While unemployed, tried with all the medical related people in town about getting into that field, but no luck. When unemployment ran out, had to find something. And finally wound up working for the Texas Dept. Of Corrections in a maximum security prison. Talk about conflicting professions. Point being that I would take a cut of about 6.00 p/h to get into the mediacal field now, which is just not financially doable. But fortunately as long as I have time to use, the state makes them give me the time off for school. So at this point there is no option of getting into the medical field. But I do have a calender marked thru May 2006, counting the days down until I can get out of this place. But until then, I will just keep providing for those incarcerated in the state of Texas, which is a chore since they have more rights in the prison system than I do. Cant wait until May of 2006 gets here.

Be safe

Jerry

JenNJFLCA

447 Posts

I work for the state and I just completed 3 of 6 semesters in for my BSN. I have benefits, annual leave and sick leave, and my boss is extremely flexible. I could make more money as a nurse tech, but I weighed the pros and cons and my current job is better for my current needs. I would learn a lot as a tech, but right now I need some stablility. To be honest, it's sometimes nice going to work...a place where I feel confident and I actually know what I'm doing. Nursing school has a great ability to shoot what little self esteem I have down to the ground. :)

klone, MSN, RN

14,790 Posts

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I have noticed that most of the replies to this post are from females which leads me to assume there is another wage earner in the house.

I don't think I would necessarily assume that.

Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

2 words: Student loans.

cparrish

13 Posts

I have worked at a medical clinic for 12 years as an office manager and have continued to work as much as I could while in nursing school (28-34 hrs. per week). I am fortunate that they are allowing me to go to school even though they know that I will not be staying when I graduate. I must say that it has helped me tremendously in nursing from being in medical surroundings. I was familiar with a lot of medicines, diseases and treatments and the doctors I work for have been kind enough to let me observe a lot of things, which has really helped me during school. It is however overwhelming to work and go to school....very long days (I go to school at night) and sometimes I do dread having to go to work but I think that would be the case with any job while in nursing because you feel you never have enough time to study. I don't know that I could change jobs though while in nursing school because I have my set routine .

Maggie in NC

1 Article; 392 Posts

Thanks Klone. I read that remark and almost flamed Jerry, since I am a single widowed mother of one with NO job after being laid off. I took a much more drastic drop in salary but, I saw the writing on the wall in telecom. I knew I was going to be unemployed. I refinanced my house, paid ALL utilities for a whole year, got rid of every credit card, and paid my car off, then waited for the axe. It came ALOT sooner than I expected so my bank roll is smaller than I had anticipated but, I am making it-so far. I am trying to make it a whole year without working but, I don't know if I will be able to. We'll see. If I have to get a job, I'll be picky and hold out for one at the hospital so I can stay current with nursing and network.

No offense Jerry, but one fundamental in nursing is never assume.

I don't think I would necessarily assume that.

fry.girl

446 Posts

I have noticed that most of the replies to this post are from females which leads me to assume there is another wage earner in the house. this gives you a little flexibility as to taking pay cuts to get into a medical type position.

The reason I (and others here) are so hesitant to take a pay cut is because WE are the sole providers for our families. Hence I am going to nursing school to better my salary and have some stability and flexibility.

Cheri

Maggie Ryan

27 Posts

I have been doing administrative/accounting work for last 12 years. I just finished my first semster of nursing school and let me tell you...I have lost all interest and motivation in my current job. Just coming to work can be unbearable as I can rarely concentrate on my work anymore..(hence you find me here on ALLNURSES) :chuckle

I have alot of freedom in my current job and so far they have been flexible and supportive of my educational plans (minus any tuition reimbursement :o ). So I am very hesitant to make a change (if it ain't broke don't fix it mentality).

But lately I have been considering switching to a healthcare related job...like unit clerk, monitor tech, or nurse tech. The positions would probably come with a pay cut of $2 or $3 an hour...but may be worth it if the hospital I work for offers tuition reimbursement and I can get some satisfaction out of my work.

So I am just wondering if anyone else has found themself in this situation and can share what they decided and how it turned out?

Thanks

Cheri

Hi Cheri I'm new to AllNurses and I love this site, just read your post and yes I am in the same position with being in a Sales Correspondent for 10yrs at a Top Notch company with good benifits and good pay, the problem is I HATE it :angryfire with a passion but here in Michigan the employment rate is so high anyone would kill to have a job like mine.

I am suppose to start the Nursing Program 1/10/05 after applying for the last 5 yrs and getting seats and turning them down due to scared of quiting my job..I am still not sure if I'm making the right decesion my fiance supports me all the way and will carry the bill load we've been together 7 yrs and that's scary too I've never had to depend on anyone.

So yes I'm so undecided and I only have til 1/6 to register for classes...any insight as to what to do by anyone out there is greatly appreciated :)

Am I crazy :confused:

Still undecided Maggie :chair:

Baldy RN

8 Posts

Specializes in Tele, ER.

Cheri~

I am new to this site & just wanted to chime in. I did work as a nurse aid a tele tech & a clerk all before I became a nurse. I have to say that

1- it did help me find a job quicker

2- it thought me hospital policies & politics

3- is was an easier transition in to becoming a nurse

It seemed to be easier for me to get a handle on my new job than the other nurses I started with. Just a FYI for you.

Have you picked a place you might want to work? If so, maybe you can get jour foot in the door at the end of your schooling.

Baldy RN

manna, BSN, RN

2,038 Posts

I worked an office job while I did all my pre-reqs... there was no way I could accomodate my work/nursing school schedules, though. I left my full-time job this past summer to begin my last 2 years of nursing courses. Best decision I ever made, although I sure miss having an income sometimes! :chuckle

Maggie Ryan

27 Posts

I worked an office job while I did all my pre-reqs... there was no way I could accomodate my work/nursing school schedules, though. I left my full-time job this past summer to begin my last 2 years of nursing courses. Best decision I ever made, although I sure miss having an income sometimes! :chuckle

Manna so glad you are happy with your decision that's exactly where I'll be starting in 1 week and graduating in 2006, how are you handling the no Income :rolleyes: I am so scared of that but you know the old saying "More you make the more you spend" I believe that is so true don't you???

I will be giving up 38,000 yr to go to Nursing school am I NUTS :chuckle

+ Add a Comment