Need some advice on working vs. not working.

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I just started the LPN program yesterday and needless to say - it is a bit overwhelming. I had planned on working while in the program to help support myself and my son (I'm also a single father), but most people I have talked to advise against it, especially If I want to maintain a 85%+ average like the the instructors recommend. Here is the clincher - I'm currently working as a Pharmacy Technician which took me 6 months to obtain (certification plus job hunting, etc). In my eyes, LPN is a better job all around than Pharm. tech and being an LPN would lead me to much more opporitunity... If I quit my job to focus just on school I WILL have support and approval from some of my family which is good. I also have enough money saved to for me to eek by the school year, and I really don't NEED this pharm. tech job. I just won't have the EXTRA money i'd be making while working in the pharmacy. and I would also have the feeling of giving up, because there are other people who do it all and get through. ANY ADVICE???

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I just started the LPN program yesterday and needless to say - it is a bit overwhelming. I had planned on working while in the program to help support myself and my son (I'm also a single father), but most people I have talked to advise against it, especially If I want to maintain a 85%+ average like the the instructors recommend. Here is the clincher - I'm currently working as a Pharmacy Technician which took me 6 months to obtain (certification plus job hunting, etc). In my eyes, LPN is a better job all around than Pharm. tech and being an LPN would lead me to much more opporitunity... If I quit my job to focus just on school I WILL have support and approval from some of my family which is good. I also have enough money saved to for me to eek by the school year, and I really don't NEED this pharm. tech job. I just won't have the EXTRA money i'd be making while working in the pharmacy. and I would also have the feeling of giving up, because there are other people who do it all and get through. ANY ADVICE???
I would say see how working and going to school works out for you. Im in the same situation im got bumped to pharmacy (not by choice) recently in an hospital. noone really has given me A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT MY SCHEDULE WILL BE. Or I have been given many diff stories or info. There making me go per diem. Im actually just finishing up training. I really need some income though. I really am not sure whats going to happen!
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Specializes in psych,mental health.

it depends on what type of student you are...i started orientation and found out i was overwhelmed!!! so my psrt time i quit and decided to keep my on call job... direct support for mentally disabled.. nit hard work!!! if you have money saved, and a great support... i personally wouldnt work!!! temp set back, for long term rewards snd being able to give it your all!!! if you believe in a higher power, ill tell you to pray about it!!! best of luck

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I am currently in the same situation I have been out of work since march just started school Thursday. I need money for bills and to provide for my kids but after my first day I found out that it might be very hard for me to work and stay current so I have to consider my options but if school is what I want than I have to commit 110% to school. It's a hard decision when financially stressed.

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I am in the same situation. I am a Pharm Tech and told them I would work while in school. I am going to try my best and if I have to I will limit my availability more. They are super nice where I work and I don't think they would say anything. We get a weekly schedule for school and my work schedule comes out a week in advance. So what I am trying to do is plan when I can study and do homework so I can get everything done.

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I just resigned from my job yesterday. I managed to save up enough money for the next year. And I have supportive family members. I start my Lpn program Monday morning. It was hard for me to leave because I too wanted the extra pocket money. My lpn program is 10 months I will be finished next June. I don't want take a chance with doing both work and school then I fail school. That's why I left I'm going to give this program all I've got.

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Does your job provide any kind of medical insurance for yourself and your son? It would be hard to walk away from that if it was me.

Consider working part time. Not for the money but for down the road -sad truth is that it's easier to find a job while you still have one. Even if you only work one day a month, that's still employed.

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Is it possible to work part time as suggested by hgrimmett? It is very true that its easier to get a job if you are currently employed. Also your references remember you better!

Its good that you have savings and a support system though!

Good luck to you

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I'm working just Saturdays as a laundry aide in a LTC facility. Hopefully its my "foot in the door" job post graduation. I need to give school a great deal of effort, and with 5 kids and a husband with a ft job and a national guard job, one day/week is all I can manage.

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Thanks a lot for all your comments. I think what I'll do is try to stick it out. It's only a year and at the end it will feel really good to have some extra money (security on an apartment. or something). If my grades start slipping and it becomes absolutly unbearable then I'll stop, but in the mean time It's probably good for me to see how much I can take. On a side note, though, this site is def. awesome. I'd really like to keep in touch w. everyone throughout the year. ...Talk stress and time management and keep up to date with what's going on with everyone else. Good luck to everyone

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One more thing. Do any of you other pharm. techs out there feel like you got shafted as much as I do about the whole career? I was told 15 bucks per hour right out the door starting, easy access to full time hours, decent benefits, vacation, sick time, etc. I cant BELIEVE what it's really like. First of all the PTCB only tests about HALF the stuff I'm actually doing. I had to basically re-learn everything I studied and memorized regarding the insurance end of the business, There's basically zero hope of moving up to become a lead anytime... and the amount of ungreatful attitudes you deal with in that field is phenominal! I mean It's like all the negative enegry in the universe gets channeled into pharmacies across the US... I dig it and Pharm work is awesome and this is just a vent sessions, but c'mon. There needs to be a little more honesty and some more state by state info available for this kind of work.

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My advice would be to not work at least until you are through Fundamentals. By that time, you'll have a greater grasp on your studying style and will know how much you can handle. Most states will allow you to sit for the CNA exam after Fundamentals, and you might want to work as a CNA on the weekends or PRN at a higher pay rate than a Pharm tech. Only you will know you own comfort level, and med/surg is right around the corner.

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