Has anyone quit there decent paying full time job to go to school full time?

Dottie78 · Sep 15, 2008

Hi scrubble, I hear ya! I too am hoping to quit my full-time job to start school soon, and don't want to work full-time while in school. I also had the same concern and posted a thread like this a while back, and some people suggested to apply for a private loan to pay my living expenses. That sounds great, but my hubby is going to pay back a large school loan after he graduates this Dec. so it probably isn't such a great idea for me. I'm not sure what your situation is like, but maybe you can look into it.

I know it's hard, but sacrificing some things may have to happen too, like moving in with a relative, or moving into a smaller place, or getting a less expensive vehicle. Just remember, it's temporary and it will all be worth it in the end! I'm also curious as to what other options are out there. Does anyone else have other ideas?

MemphisTiger · Sep 15, 2008

I'm also considering this- I have a well paying full time job and I close on my house in two weeks, so moving in with a relative is not an option! I'm considering living off loans for a either a year with an ABSN or for 16 months with a DEMSN program. It's scary though! But I don't think I could work full time and concentrate what I need to on nursing school.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2008

During my early 20s, I had been working as a factory worker for three years with an annual income of about $40,000. That might not seem like much money to some people, but it was decent pay for a single female in my situation who lacked formal education beyond high school. By age 22 I had attained a few middle-class comforts such as a 2-story house in the suburbs, a vehicle that was paid for, and a sizable savings account.

I returned to school at age 23 because I knew in my heart that the manufacturing industry (and factory work in general) was a slowly dying breed in the U.S. If I were to lose my job at the factory, I wouldn't be able to find another similar position. I quit the factory job to attend a full-time 12-month LVN program at a trade school. During these months, my bills were paid with unemployment checks. Once the unemployment stopped coming, I tapped into my savings account.

Overall, the swapping of careers was worth it. I'm glad I quit my full-time job.

angelique777 · Sep 15, 2008

Yes I did not quit but was not getting paid. I worked for a hospital and that hospital union allowed me a leave of absence to complete the 2yrs of clinical portion of the nursing program. I got a extremely small stipend.

I had my light disconnected tons of times and several evictions notices which came usually with appropriate timing. You know right when I was due for a nursing exam. I took the risk of taking the leave with out pay because I knew I did not want to have anything interfer with me going to school. I had a previous BA which I did part time while working and I just did not want to do that plus clinicals needed to be in day need full time hours and I need the evening to study and be with my son. Its risky but it paid off career wise. I couldnt imagine still doing my other job for such low pay. This was a good career decision.

I was blessed because a member of my church find out about my situation and paid the rent that was due just before they put the lock on my door. Thats how close I came to loseing my apartment. While I did save money before I took a leave of absence I still did not have enough to cover my cost. The opportunity came to get the leave of absence which kept my health insurance intact and I grabbed it. Therefore I went to school with what ever I saved up until then. I took the risk and by God Grace finished the nursing program with a lot of crying a pain but finished.

The union even told me after accepting me to the program that wait we never told you you where accepted of course they said that after I filed leave absence from work and started school and believe me if I had not had a witness I would not even have been in that program.

However at the end of that whole ordeal by the Grace of God I survived nursing school. May God bless exceedingly and abundantly the sole who took compassion on me and my son at that time and blessed us by paying the outstanding rent money just in time.

I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Angela

miss_c · Sep 15, 2008

I quit my decent full time job to go to school full time. We planned for over a year for this and made preperations for the reduction in income. We made extra payments on our vehicle loans so we were able to pay them off ealy, we also put extra money in the savings account. I am hoping that it all holds out until I graduate from my ADN next December! Good luck to you!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2008

I quit my job after the 1st semester of NS....for 10bucks a hr..salaried, it was a comfortable desk job in a LTC facility....than I had to go work 36 hrs a week as a CNA in the hospital...and school. It was tough...without loans, I wouldn't have made it through...Had to take out about 24000 all told for living expenses/tuition/books/fees....someday I'll pay it back.

It may require some work during school...but if it doesn't take that route, I wish i did.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 16, 2008

I cut back to about 30 hours a week. It would have been too much money lost over the course of the 3 years it took me to go from pre-reqs, LPN to ADN so I decided to just suck it up and work. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Price 2002 · Sep 16, 2008

I'm seriously considering quitting my job and going to school full time. I am not opposed to working part time, but I do not want to work full time anymore while going to school. Has anyone quit their decent paying job to do so? Was it rough? How prepared were you? What kind of assistance did you get? yadda yadda yadda :)
Any info is appreciated!
OOps.. I see I spelled "their" wrong in the title... brain fart!

Hello! Yes I did this. I was working at an STNA (same as CNA) making really good pay $14.50 which is good in my area for a STNA so that I could finish up my last 6 months of nursing school. I managed to work full time the first several months then went PRN then in order to keep up with my family (I am married and have 2 kids) and clinicals and class my husband and I decided that I would stop working. It has not been easy but we have survied. My hubby, who is a firefighter/medic has picked up extra shifts and worked at 2 different departments to make ends meet. We have fixed up the older van that I drive and are trying to make it last until I graduate and get a job...which should not be long now!! Luckily we do not owe anything on his truck. But we not go out like we used to and had to cut back on shopping etc. Good luck to you! It is hard but so worth it!