I'm planning on returning to school this fall to complete my prereqs and once I'm done and actually accepted into a nursing program, I'm planning on taking a leave of absence from work for 2 years. I make good money in the job that I am in and I work for a government agency. However, I really desire to be a nurse and in order to do so, I must leave my job. I am married and have a baby and a teenager.
My question is...for anyone that has either quit or left there high paying job for nursing school, how did you do it? Was it difficult to survive? How did you prepare and once you finished nursing school, were you able to find a new job?
I would appreciated everyone's advice or comments.
I thnk our stories are very similar so let me share my plan - maybe it'll make you more comfortable with yours. :) I'm also 33, married to a fabulous husband, and mother to 3 boys.
I'm finishing up prereqs now while working full time. The plan is to leave a well-paying job $50k+ with FREE benefits (yes, no premiums for PPO, dental or vision, + stocks, 401k matching, etc). It's a scary situation but I have the same desire you have --- a self-rewarding career. I had that when I taught preschool but it just doesn't pay enough. I'm hoping Nursing will give us the lifestyle we currently enjoy while also being a fulfilling job emotionally.
I'm currently enrolled in A&P1. Then I need A&PII and MicroBio. Schools here don't start nursing programs in the Spring so I have to wait until Fall 2012. I think I'll use the 4th semester to volunteer in a hospital (after work). This will help me get accepted into a nursing program and give me time on a hospital floor. Hubby and I are using this time to pay down bills - cars, motorcycle, camper, etc while I'm still working so all we're left with is a mortgage and daily living expenses while I'm in school. We'll have both vehicles serviced bumper to bumper to help ensure they last 2 years of NS.
He makes better money than I do and his company offers healthcare (that we'd have to pay for but it's way better than COBRA or being uninsured). Cutting down our expenses will mean hubby's paycheck will cover almost all of our bills, food, etc. I'll apply for every scholarship I can find. I've heard, it's best to apply even if you think you're not qualified because there are some that are just unclaimed --- if no one applies, you may get it. All they can say is no, right? Here (San Diego), you can work as a CNA after you complete 1 semester of NS. I plan to supplement our income and do some serious networking by working part time as a CNA. Scholarships + CNA pay should give us some spending money but if it isn't enough, we're prepared to take out student loans.
If I can work as a CNA in my hospital of choice, then I'll be in a better position to be hired as a new grad (they'll already know and love me by then ). Plus, that'll be 4 years from now.....2 doing prereqs and 2 in NS. The economy should have improved by then. Even the Depression didn't last forever.
I completely understand your concern about "surviving" NS - but with some planning, I definitely think it can be done. I also think the reward is well worth the sacrifice.
Yes, very good retirement plan and great job stability. However, I can also work as a RN for a government entity and receive the same benefits.
I guess you haven't seen last week's headlines regarding serious cutbacks on state and local government jobs: State, Local Governments Could Slash 400,000 Jobs In The Next Year Not to discourage you, but the competition for government nursing jobs will be just as tight as non-government.
I guess you haven't seen last week's headlines regarding serious cutbacks on state and local government jobs: State, Local Governments Could Slash 400,000 Jobs In The Next Year Not to discourage you, but the competition for government nursing jobs will be just as tight as non-government.
Ugh...lost my ability to form paragraphs again. Time to go clear my cache and reboot...
I don't know if someone mentioned it or not, but leaving your job all together may not be best right now. Start taking your prerequisites class(es) on a part-time basis while still working. Then once you get into a nursing program, then quit your job. You never know that you may be the one to get a job when you graduate. It's not on heard of of new grads getting jobs, even now.
I thnk our stories are very similar so let me share my plan - maybe it'll make you more comfortable with yours. :) I'm also 33, married to a fabulous husband, and mother to 3 boys.
I'm finishing up prereqs now while working full time. The plan is to leave a well-paying job $50k+ with FREE benefits (yes, no premiums for PPO, dental or vision, + stocks, 401k matching, etc). It's a scary situation but I have the same desire you have --- a self-rewarding career. I had that when I taught preschool but it just doesn't pay enough. I'm hoping Nursing will give us the lifestyle we currently enjoy while also being a fulfilling job emotionally.
I'm currently enrolled in A&P1. Then I need A&PII and MicroBio. Schools here don't start nursing programs in the Spring so I have to wait until Fall 2012. I think I'll use the 4th semester to volunteer in a hospital (after work). This will help me get accepted into a nursing program and give me time on a hospital floor. Hubby and I are using this time to pay down bills - cars, motorcycle, camper, etc while I'm still working so all we're left with is a mortgage and daily living expenses while I'm in school. We'll have both vehicles serviced bumper to bumper to help ensure they last 2 years of NS.
He makes better money than I do and his company offers healthcare (that we'd have to pay for but it's way better than COBRA or being uninsured). Cutting down our expenses will mean hubby's paycheck will cover almost all of our bills, food, etc. I'll apply for every scholarship I can find. I've heard, it's best to apply even if you think you're not qualified because there are some that are just unclaimed --- if no one applies, you may get it. All they can say is no, right? Here (San Diego), you can work as a CNA after you complete 1 semester of NS. I plan to supplement our income and do some serious networking by working part time as a CNA. Scholarships + CNA pay should give us some spending money but if it isn't enough, we're prepared to take out student loans.
If I can work as a CNA in my hospital of choice, then I'll be in a better position to be hired as a new grad (they'll already know and love me by then ). Plus, that'll be 4 years from now.....2 doing prereqs and 2 in NS. The economy should have improved by then. Even the Depression didn't last forever.
I completely understand your concern about "surviving" NS - but with some planning, I definitely think it can be done. I also think the reward is well worth the sacrifice.
Oh my gosh!!! Reading your post gave me the chills! Your plan sounds so similar to mine, even my anticipated started time-- fall 2012. I didn't even think of becoming a CNA....that is a GREAT idea! I live in Los Angeles County, I'm going to look into that. Thank you soooo much for sharing your plan with me and I wish you so many blessings in your decision and career path! My husband makes as much as I do now. We too will have to pay for his company's benefits. Mine were also free from my job, but like you said, it's much cheaper than paying for COBRA. Maybe we can keep in touch and encourage each other :)
I will enroll in A&P I next month. How difficult is the class and working full time?
I don't know if someone mentioned it or not, but leaving your job all together may not be best right now. Start taking your prerequisites class(es) on a part-time basis while still working. Then once you get into a nursing program, then quit your job. You never know that you may be the one to get a job when you graduate. It's not on heard of of new grads getting jobs, even now.
Thanks for your response. Yes, my plan is to continue to work full time until I finish my prerequisites and get accepted into NS. Once I am accepted, then I'll stop working.
I enrolled --- meaning I signed up on Tuesday and paid for the class. It doesn't start until mid August. But I'm excited about it One step closer to goal, right?
I sent a request to you to add you to my Contacts. It would be fun to keep in touch through our career adventure.
Thanks for your response. Yes, my plan is to continue to work full time until I finish my prerequisites and get accepted into NS. Once I am accepted, then I'll stop working.
I don't know what agency you work for, but in my department here at the postal service I have alot of standby time and can do alot of the studying at work. I assume you do not have that luxury. Good luck
I enrolled --- meaning I signed up on Tuesday and paid for the class. It doesn't start until mid August. But I'm excited about it One step closer to goal, right?
I sent a request to you to add you to my Contacts. It would be fun to keep in touch through our career adventure.
Thanks for the clarification...that's even better! My class starts next month also! I accepted your request. I look forward to keeping in touch through our adventure
Just realize it is going to be tough. I left a 6 figure salary for nursing school (don't ask why.....long story). Since I left voluntarily and made so much money as a single person I was denied financial aid. So I planned ahead and saved up. Sold my house but at a loss (had to take money to closing), and gave away much furniture. Then I moved in with my mom during school and got a job as a nurse tech to pay for my bills. I told my manager I would work every shift I could get. My tuition came from savings. I am actually enjoying living a simpler life with less belongings. The living with my mom was a nightmare though- too hard after living on my own/out of state for 10+ years!
Basically the best thing I can say is money doesn't buy happiness. You gotta do what you gotta do.
I guess that logic wouldn't have occurred to me. I would have worked extra hard that year in order to save more to tide me over while I couldn't work because of my studies.
I worked hard for 2 years before I went down on work. We fixed up our rental, paid off a bills and even went down on the cars, we had 2 new, now we have one newer and one older. At the time I went down on work was when I picked up more pre reqs so I wouldn't have any by the time school started but worked 20 hrs a week. We do have a savings but it is different when you are used to spending more, especially with my shopping habit:eek:.
). Plus, that'll be 4 years from now.....2 doing prereqs and 2 in NS. The economy should have improved by then. Even the Depression didn't last forever.
One step closer to goal, right?
Career2_BSN, BSN
166 Posts
I thnk our stories are very similar so let me share my plan - maybe it'll make you more comfortable with yours. :) I'm also 33, married to a fabulous husband, and mother to 3 boys.
I'm finishing up prereqs now while working full time. The plan is to leave a well-paying job $50k+ with FREE benefits (yes, no premiums for PPO, dental or vision, + stocks, 401k matching, etc). It's a scary situation but I have the same desire you have --- a self-rewarding career. I had that when I taught preschool but it just doesn't pay enough. I'm hoping Nursing will give us the lifestyle we currently enjoy while also being a fulfilling job emotionally.
I'm currently enrolled in A&P1. Then I need A&PII and MicroBio. Schools here don't start nursing programs in the Spring so I have to wait until Fall 2012. I think I'll use the 4th semester to volunteer in a hospital (after work). This will help me get accepted into a nursing program and give me time on a hospital floor. Hubby and I are using this time to pay down bills - cars, motorcycle, camper, etc while I'm still working so all we're left with is a mortgage and daily living expenses while I'm in school. We'll have both vehicles serviced bumper to bumper to help ensure they last 2 years of NS.
He makes better money than I do and his company offers healthcare (that we'd have to pay for but it's way better than COBRA or being uninsured). Cutting down our expenses will mean hubby's paycheck will cover almost all of our bills, food, etc. I'll apply for every scholarship I can find. I've heard, it's best to apply even if you think you're not qualified because there are some that are just unclaimed --- if no one applies, you may get it. All they can say is no, right? Here (San Diego), you can work as a CNA after you complete 1 semester of NS. I plan to supplement our income and do some serious networking by working part time as a CNA. Scholarships + CNA pay should give us some spending money but if it isn't enough, we're prepared to take out student loans.
If I can work as a CNA in my hospital of choice, then I'll be in a better position to be hired as a new grad (they'll already know and love me by then
). Plus, that'll be 4 years from now.....2 doing prereqs and 2 in NS. The economy should have improved by then. Even the Depression didn't last forever.
I completely understand your concern about "surviving" NS - but with some planning, I definitely think it can be done. I also think the reward is well worth the sacrifice.