Is anyone else quitting their job one they enter the nursing program?

RN2B73 · Feb 9, 2008

Ok I did, now U!!!

arual56 · Feb 10, 2008

I am an older single mom with kids who are grown and on their own. Working, even part time while you are in nursing school, is a challenge. Many people are lucky enough to be able to quit thier jobs and just be a student (as if that is not enough to do). I was not one of those. Being single, I had no one to help me pay my bills, but unlike Miarose, I also didn't have someone there that was unsupportive of my decision. I worked full time in the ER (as a PCT during the first two blocks and as an LPN during the last two blocks) during nursing school. It was hard, and it took a great deal of time management and tenacity, especially when I felt like I just couldn't go any further. But I did manage to accomplish all that was expected of me. I never missed a clinical day and thankfully, did not have to call off work. I was very tired most of the time. But I graduated in Dec '07 and took my boards end of Jan '08, and passed!

I post this for those who may be in the same position. It is much harder to work and go to school, but it can be done and you can do it. For anyone who can afford to be solely a student, yeah for you. That is great. But for those of you who must work through this time, don't loose faith. And if you need a shoulder, a kind word, a sympathetic ear, remember that there are many people here who were probably in the same situation. Hang tough. Our prayers are with you.

Brycemom, RN · Feb 12, 2008

Arual56, I have quit my job in order to concentrate on nursing school and for that I feel really blessed. But I just wanted to send you this post to applaude you for your endurance to achieve your goals. :yeah: Eventhough I am not working, your post inspired me to achieve all that I have set out to achieve, no matter what obstacle I face so thank you. :bow:

arual56 · Feb 12, 2008

Thanks. It wasn't easy, but I think I had it a lot easier than those who have kids and a husband at home. I would like to find the person who believes that a mother/father, who doesn't work outside the home, doesn't work. What a load of poop! And for all of those people who have kids and a hubby and work, they are truely the heros of us all. I'm so glad that you are able to take the time off and focus on school. If you need a shoulder, ear, prayer, help, or just a sounding board, let me know. If we can't be here for each other who will be?:nuke:

Rianna1 · Feb 12, 2008

Arual56, Thanks for your post; you are truly an inspiration!! I will be starting an accelerated one year program in April and I know it will be a rough road ahead. I'll be living off student loans, savings and if an emergency arises will have to dip into my 401K(last resort). We have a mortgage, bills and private school and day care for two kids plus car payments and all the other bills. I know where there's a will there's a way. I'm terrified of the costs of the school and the loans to keep us afloat during NS, but I know if we do this, it will benefit our family so much more later on.

kristykat, BSN, RN · Dec 6, 2010

My hunny and I just bought our first house together and with 2 kids to take care of, I don't see quitting my job as being a possibility. Unless I could get some big whopper of a loan to pay for everything, he just can't afford to pay all of our bills by himself.

Well that relationship didn't last...so now I'm back living with my family. Not a bad thing since it's helped tremendously in getting my debt paid off. Best of all: my mom has offered to cover my tuition/book costs!

Dvldlphn32 · Dec 6, 2010

Hello!

I quit my job in Jan 2010 because I was unhappy working in electronics. I finished a Bachelors in a field I did not want to work in, in Feb 2010, took care of my dying Grandma, and have volunteered at the VA Medical Center since that time. I have learned a lot and my husband has been kind enough to allow me the time to figure out what I want to do. I am hopefully starting Nursing school next month and will not work until I graduate. However since I am a Vet I can do work study at the VA Med Center and I think I may take advantage of that or just continue volunteering so that I can have a foot in the door when I finish school.

My situation is a lot easier though because we do not have any kids. Good luck and I am sure you can do anything you put your mind to!

2ndyearstudent, CNA · Dec 6, 2010

I am a married mom of 2 and am trying hard to save away money so that I can quit my job this Fall when I enter the program. I am going to try for student loans to help out.
I was wondering what everyone elses plans are.

Hell, I quit mine to take the prereqs full time!

savnlivzPRN, LVN · Dec 6, 2010

I'm quitting my sales management job in jan to do a phlebotomy and ma program while getting my preregs done too that's going to be a full hectic 6 months!... then I plan to work as an MA for a year and go down to PT or quit again to do NS full time...

grasshopper7780 · Dec 6, 2010

I am about o start my prereqs and I am quitting the day job to go back to bartending so I can make more money and save for my ABSN program. There is no way to work in those programs, they are just too intense. I will hopefully save some money and take loans too. Its an investment in my brain and future.

wildblueeyez · Dec 6, 2010

If I could quite to go to school full time, I think I could get away without working at all.

I wish there was a bridge LPN to RN part time program in my part of Western PA. Seems like the most comment statement around the programs here is "just rearrange your work hours so that you can go to school full time. it's only for 14 months."

soushee · Dec 6, 2010

I quit my job at a vet clinic before my first semester started, but I work about 5-15 hours a week at an auto parts store of all places, LOL. My manager is very lenient about scheduling and giving me time off, so I take lots of time off before tests and for clinicals. Next semester I can only work two days a week due to school, but at least it's something. I have to commute 100miles/day to go to school, so something has to pay for gas since I got zero financial aid from my school since I already have a college degree. To make extra money, I donate plasma occasionally for $20 a pop, but I try to avoid doing that due to the "track marks" it leaves, and impact on my health.

Most of the students in my class still work. Many are CNAs and ER techs, and work 32-36 hours during the weekend to maintain full time (my friend does two 16 hour shifts on Fridays and Saturdays). Many just can't flat out afford to stop working, especially those that are single parents. So those that can't quit their jobs, you're not alone! Many of us simply have no choice, whether it be due to family situations, lack of financial aid/support, etc.