MNC

It is not uncommon to read of nurses, either new or old, wanting to get out of the rat race of Nursing due to one reason or the other. And unless there is a pressing reason, BEFORE you make that leap, you need to be financially independent. To help prepare you before you make that leap, here are seven actions that you must do. Start SavingNow that you have finally made up your mind to leave the nursing field, you need to ensure that you have that cushion (savings) to pay your bills and not be stressed while you make the next big decision on how to move on to the next chapter of your life. Why? Knowing that you have a financial cushion reduces stress and makes it easier for you to be in that perfect frame of mind to find that right next job that you seek. Set up Automatic Bill PaymentsWhether or not you have a job, the utility, cable, etc companies do not truly care, the bills will still come in. One way to make sure that you avoid missing a payment is to set up automatic bill payment. Make sure there is enough time in between for the bill to be paid so you don't get hit with a late payment. Why? That is one thing off your list to worry about and the bills will always be paid! Pay off Your Smallest BillsNo matter how little it may be. Why? This will give you a sense of accomplishment to know that you successfully paid off a bill. So itemize your debt from smallest to largest and check of as you go down. Consolidate your Debtif you have debt all over the place, it makes sense to consolidate your debts together. Why? Consolidating your debt eliminates you having to pay different interest fees on different debts. This way you only pay the one interest fees but still make a bigger dent in your debt amount. Grocery ShoppingBuy staple items in bulk and stock up- those really last a while and takes another worry off your list. Why? Regardless of whether you are still in nursing of not, you need to know that things on the home front are taken care of and takes one worry off your list. Get a Personal LoanNow this one is going to be dependent on how excellent of a credit score you have- if it is good to excellent, this is for you, otherwise skip this step. Depending on how much of debt you owe, getting a personal loan is one good way to pay off your debt and then take your time in paying off the personal loan. Why? This is good because the personal loan is a fixed monthly amount that you pay in an allotted time, depending on what your term agreement states. When in doubt, be sure to have another person look over the agreement before you sign. Cash at HandAfter you quit working, realize that until you find your next job, there will be no incoming income for you, so everything will need to go down to need vs want. If it a need, get it; if it is a want, skip it! Why? Cash at hand which you can keep anywhere you don't easily reach for it, is a way to give you peace of mind in knowing that you can purchase items you need without needing to reach into your savings. Skip the VacationYou can try something different this time around. A stay-cation and just simply relaxing or finding a new hobby that you have always wanted to do, but never had the time to do it. Why? This is where every penny counts and you need to pour as much as you can into your savings. If nursing is not for you, that is okay- you owe no one any explanation. What you should be glad about is that you discovered that long before you had a chance to look back on your professional life and think what a waste it was when you could have been doing something else that you loved. And if after the sabbatical, you discover nursing is truly what you love doing, then you would be glad you took that break and rediscovered your passion. Thanks for the read!

My Dear Graduate Nurse,Congratulations on your achievement in graduating from nursing school. You earned it! Not long ago, many of us were in your exact position. We simply could not believe it! Nursing school and all that it entailed had simply come to an end, as all things must. We were ecstatic!!! As you are now and should be. So we truly and deeply understand the many emotions coursing through you right now.Remember those days when you thought you could not do it;Remember the never ending tests and exams;Remember those long clinical hours with papers due the next day;Remember the nerve racking exams, when you had sleepless nights wondering if that semester was going to be your last in nursing school,But through it all, you soared, you made it through! You are a nurse now! Take a moment to celebrate this massive achievement, capture this memory so that you can always savor the joy of it all especially during those weak moments. You will need it. This letter is to serve as comfort to you as you navigate our world of nursingThere will be moments of joy;There will be moments of sadness;There will be moments you will question your life's path;There will be moments you will second guess yourself;But remember this- you are NOT alone. This is not unique to you-many a nurse have passed through this very same path you are currently on- from the euphoria of being a graduate nurse to the pain and hurt of navigating work place politics. What IS unique to you is how you react to these situations when they arise- Will you rise above them or will you allow them overwhelm you? Will you choose to push through? Or will you decide this is not for you? As you navigate the very many decisions that you will have to make such as,What specialty to go into?What your preferred shift should be- day or night?Whether or not to pursue a graduate degree?Or worst of all, would you ever find a job? It's okay, we have all been there! Remember ...Remember to take the time for yourself and loved ones; you will need them for strengthRemember how hard you worked for this; do not allow yourself be abusedRemember to believe in yourself even when others seem to doubt youRemember to give everyone the benefit of doubt for they may be fighting a bigger battle than you knowRemember; remember that at the end of it all- the choice on what to do will always remain yours!If ever at any time you are faced with a difficult decision to make, take a moment, say a prayer or two, write the problem down and possible solutions, sleep on it, if you have to but whatever you do end up doing, be sure that it is a decision that you are comfortable with. Regrets are the worst things one could ever have- let others' experience be the tool to guide you, but let the final decisions be yours! The decision will be yours to make and one that you will have no fear of making should that time ever arise. We have every confidence in you! Many nursing schools do a great disservice to students by not teaching/modelling work place conflict resolutions BUT as with all professions, there will be ups and downs,; smooth and rough; straight and curved... Whether you choose to continue on this path of nursing or decide that this is not for you, Just remember this- You will be alright, YOU.WILL.BE.JUST.FINE! (Thanks for the Read!)