PLEASE I need advice :( work vs. school dilemma

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Long story try to keep it short as possible. Graduated with an A.A.S. in Medical Assisting in Dec 2010. I really felt I got cheated for all the $ that college got out of me and I really got no hands on experience etc. Anyways I really thought Id be more established by now :( I finally got a car on the road a few months ago. Im 22 will be 23 in Sept. I have been working at a hospital since May 2011 part time 2 days week. I was a nurse assistant only for few months, bid on unit clerk position for more money and started that on July 31 2011. I got bumped out of that unit clerk position a few months ago and it was either layoff or take a test and pass which I did and take a pharm tech position which I started in early June 2012 (same pay).

So I have been training /working alone a few times what I was trained for on off since Early June. I just spoke to my new boss today and she pretty much said she couldnt work with me on a work schedule that would work with school. :confused: Im on the October days list for school 8-2 Mon-Thurs. I though maybe it would be okay to work every Fri Sat but no! It stinks because I was really hoping I could work a schedule like that and keep gaining more senority while working and going to school. Its hard because quitting really would be a tough thing for me to swallow. Im making $14.29/hr (should have got my raise thats just another issue grr of $14.70hr.) I work 15 hours a week. One of my main reasons of considering going back to school is not getting full time yet! I am barely making it financially now so I dont c how I could quit this job and work another lower paying job while in school. Im living with my dad/his fiance for the past few months otherwise I would of been on the streets because my mother kicked me out for very selfish reasons.

So I just want to be established asap and I keep hitting roadblocks. Go figure yesterday I found out that I actually got one of the grants I applied for too.. now the work issue! My boss said maybe there willl be a per diem opening because they might be losing someone (I would have to find out more about per diem)...but I definitely would have to know if thats even an option to consider. HR at my work is just another joke and the union.

Sorry just so stressed and confused! LOL its hilarious kinda because they are supposed to encourage higher education yet make it impossible for me to do so!

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I would try to get a job waiting tables Fri and Sat. You would make decent money thru school and get the schedule you need. Good luck!

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Thanks but I really dont think that job would be for me at all. I really want to keep my foot in the door where I am now Im praying for something good to happen! Stuff like this always seems to happen to me.

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Well you have 2 months and I think furthering your education will be better in the long run, you may not want to be a waitress BUT, you have to do what you gotta do, sometimes you have to make sacrafices and make decisions that you may not want to make. Go to school, maybe do a waitress job, OR, find a home health aide job for middle or night shift, or a nursing assistant job for the weekends. A lot of things are easier said than done but it can be done and you can do it, when there is a will there is a way, good luck and keep us posted

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I agree with DivaLaJuicy and Mom2Many2012...it may seem so far off the road but destiny is obviously telling you that perhaps this job is not for you. Nothing should discourage you from getting a higher education and getting ahead in life. I say work in your position for as long as you can and stack up your money and when school starts, the per diem position, which is just an option for a flex schedule, is not open, move on. But get your ducks in a row. Find other jobs that will work with your schedule. It may seem like a step down to you, but remember, this is only for a year. When you finish and get to where you really want to be, you'll be back like you never left and trust me you won't regret your decision. But just make sure, if you do, to leave your current job on amicable terms. They may have an nurse job for you once the dust clears!

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Thanks everyone! Im going to try my hardest to make something work. Im just hoping where I am now can work something out with me though. I work for a big healthcare system and I was hoping to keep gaining more senority so when I graduate from LPN if I decide to apply at one of the faacilities I would have a better chance and start off with a higher pay rate. Ill keep praying! I will keep yous posted :)

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No matter when you go back to school there will be road blocks. While you have help with a roof over your head and are still young go back to school and do whatever you have to to get through it. If you wait like I did then you have many more obsticles. If you leave your job on a good grace to return to school then you will be able to go back to them. The seniority at your age will build up again. If you wait 5-10 years down the road then the seniority may be an issue. I waited and the obstacles just kept getting bigger and bigger, I graduate the LPN in 2 weeks and take my NCLEX in Sept. but I am now 52 yrs old. While you are living with family and have help, and can work part time with an agency for a little less on your hour you should jump at the school with everything you have. Waiting will only bring more obstacles and road blocks. Mine were rent, then children, and how can I do children, work, and school. Some people do, but I wasn't able to handle all of it so please go back while your obstacles are small and workable. You can do this!

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I'm sorry I can't give you advice other than to keep working on a solution. I would be very reluctant to leave a position with this hospital system but sooner or later you are going to have to get the schooling done. Hope this all works out.

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So I took it upon myself to talk to the "bigger" boss (bosses boss). The boss that is always around that I talked to originally, said she wouldnt see her boss for two weeks so I just left him a voicemail last night and he called me today. He seemed nice about the issue and said that he could definitely make a per diem position for me. Im hoping when I talk to the boss I first talked to she has more info about it Monday (he was supossed to email her but I know she isnt there today). Im hoping I wouldnt be losing out on much money becasue I cant really afford to. Praying that it all works out!

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See if you can get into the 4-10p class.

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I don't reccommend the evening class as a young woman. If you can take that day time class and finish in a year or under then go for it. You said it yourself, you have no serious bills, a home to go to. Your biggest issue is keeping seniority at your job which wouldn't be a horrible downfall if you had to look elsewhere. Most evening classes are two years long. Stay in the daytime program.

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Im probably going to try to stay on the day list if I can. Im not even sure what spots are left if any for day or evening. Also my thing with the evenings is that Potter is closer to me (and in the evening) but, half way though the program they switch sites to over by the airport. If I was scheduled to work that day and had to make it to class/clinicals I'm afraid I might not make it on time. I dont get out at exactly 3 and where I park its ridicolous Im not even allowed to park in the hospital ramp yet Trocaire college students can. I heard that if your even 5 minutes late it counts as an hour and I dont remember how many hours your allowed but not many. Also I sleep horrible and if I had to be up at 5am to be at work the next day probably wouldnt get much sleep. Im lucky now if I even get a few hours. I have been having trouble with that for a few years now. So Im hoping that the per diem thing can work for me! I will hopefully find out more this week.

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