Need all advise for switching career from business to nursing

iPink, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

I'm a career changer and was laid off from my job in '09. It took me three months later to take this oportunity to go back to school for nursing. I'm now in my 3rd semester out of four in my BSN program. I live on my own, which means rent, groceries, etc. fall on me. I've made it this far through severance and employment checks. I did take out loans but only to pay for my classes. I didn't borrow extra for books or rent. I learned to spend what I need and not on what I want. I cook my meals and don't eat out because it saves money. Also no cable. Anything you can sacrifice to cut down your monthly payments.

You can make it work if you do some sacrificing.

leenak · Nov 7, 2011

I plan to quit my job when I go to nursing school but I am also married. Our income will be cut nearly in half but we'll make it work. To compensate, I've started budgeting so that we live only in my husbands income. This has also allowed me the ability to save up tuition costs. It's a scary thing to quit my job and go to school full-time but I need to follow my dreams.

yooper13 · Nov 7, 2011

I have a bachelor's in business, and was working in the field when I decided to switch and pursue nursing. Same thing--the 8-5 M-F hours were not conducive to nursing school schedule. What I did was continue to work full-time as I took all of my prereq's part time. This allowed me to pay off all of my bills (car, credit cards, etc), as I knew I would have to eventually quit that job and take a major pay cut (reduced hours + lower pay/hour). I am currently in the second semester of 4 of full-time program, and yes, I have rent, food, utilities to pay; but no car payment or any extras (except that I am also the sole provider of a teenager...). You can make it work if you get creative...Good luck to you!

michiboo · Nov 7, 2011

Oh Great! you guys are all awesome! It's a very scary process, I know it can be one and I appreciate all your advise. Thank you so much. I am currently working on paying off all my bills, aside from my living expenses. I am a single woman however I do have family members who will chip in when they can for food, and transportation and small spending money when they can. IT's not much but every little bit helps. Im very thankful for that. Im just thinking out loud an my biggest concern is my mortgage. I'm not planning on starting nursing school until September anyway so I still have some time to be resourceful. I don't mind taking out loans for school i just dont want to make it a habit and take out loans for other major expenses.

Another option: My employer does know that I am going to school. I'm hoping that as the time approaches they will lay me off as a favor so that I can get unemployment, but Im not depending on that. That may help me out a bit.

I am definitely praying on it I just want to be able to make the best decision possible at the right given time.

michiboo · Nov 7, 2011

Just curious if you will be able to talk to your boss to have them lay you off so that you can get the unemployment. Someone in payroll mentioned that to me once as a suggestion and its been in the back of my mind. She said it wouldnt hurt to try.

yooper13 · Nov 7, 2011

Just curious if you will be able to talk to your boss to have them lay you off so that you can get the unemployment. Someone in payroll mentioned that to me once as a suggestion and its been in the back of my mind. She said it wouldnt hurt to try.

I thought of that too, but never asked since they knew I was going to school, and would be quitting anyway. While it's a great idea in theory, it depends on your employer, as they will be paying for a chunk of your unemployment. Are there regular layoffs at your job? If that is the case, I would definitely volunteer, especially as they don't know that you are planning on leaving. As someone said, it doesn't hurt to ask!

leenak · Nov 7, 2011

Just curious if you will be able to talk to your boss to have them lay you off so that you can get the unemployment. Someone in payroll mentioned that to me once as a suggestion and its been in the back of my mind. She said it wouldnt hurt to try.

I actually asked my boss about this because we have been having multiple rounds of layoffs and I wouldn't be surprised if another round occurred around the time I plan to start nursing school. He said he wouldn't be able to do it because he'd have to tell HR that he didn't need me and he couldn't backfill my position.

I have also considered working part time from home while going to school. I'd have to figure out the feasibility of that though.

michiboo · Nov 8, 2011

No regular layoff's right now they are actually hiring. I will keep the unemployment as one option. Im still working on how to approach my boss about this so still have it as an option