quit my job?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I have been an LPN at a subacute rehab for 7 months now. The job is very stressful, and I often stay numerous hours past my shift to complete my work (work is often assigned to me AFTER my shift ends, like discharges or admissions they want me to help with...)

I am also an RN student. I am off school now for the summer, so it is manageable. but the past semester was so difficult on me. I had been working full time, along with full time school. Part time positions are not available at my job. I have been saving money, and have managed to save enough to get me by for the next twelve months (when I finish my RN) without working. however, the prospect of quitting my job is very stressful to me, as I know jobs are tough to come by. I would be able to survive without a job due to me being an obsessive saver and very frugal person, but just the idea is so frightening. I however, do not know if I will be able to survive the RN program with this job, as the time required and the stress levels overwhelm me. What would you do in my shoes? Will quitting this job with less than a year in reflect poorly upon me when applying for RN positions?

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab, Hospice.

You need to put your foot down and say no to assignments. You are there to do a job during a certain time. Are you still on the clock during this time? It's ok to say no. Your job is not your life.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I agree with the PP, say no. Explain to them that you are in school full time as well as working full time. You have done your work & can't pick up any extra work. As long as you have done your work, don't do anyone else's. But if they keep giving you work & you can survive without the job, then quit. What is more important? That job or school? I would quit.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You may wish to explore the legalities of accepting work after your shift has ended. In essence, you aren't supposed to assume more work duties once you are supposed to be getting off. If your shift ends at 11:00pm, it is time to start telling your coworkers "No."

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Would you rather not quit and fail? Or quit, pass, and start a new career? If I were you, I'd quit. No employers would shun you for quitting to focus on school.

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I've been in your situation, though it was prior to going back to school. I quit a demanding job in order to go back to school but secured a much less stressful part time position elsewhere so that I would still be considered 'working' and have an income because for some reason something always breaks and costs a lot of money to repair when there's no where to get the money. Consider home health shifts which are usually very low stress with some down time. Some families are okay with you studying material as long as your work is done and you continue to do your job throughout the day. These are usually agency shifts and many will let you work the days and hours that you chose and get time off for exams and such. Just a suggestion.

You need to think about your priorities and right now it's finishing your education. If you are flustered and overwhelmed now, believe me, once you get into the major course subjects, the stress level goes way up and your study time is going to increase a LOT. Good luck.

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If I were in your situation personally I would quit, don't let anything stand in the way of you becoming an RN in a year! I'm not working during school and also have one year left, best decision I ever made was to fully focus on school. Best of luck 👍🏻

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

You need to put up a Great Wall of China sized boundary between yourself and that job, if you decide to stay. Assigning an admission after your shift is over? Oh. Heck. No. Nursing is 24/7/365. If it's past your shift, it's the incoming nurse's job. End of discussion. Practice in the mirror: "My shift is over. I am not available until my next scheduled shift. G'night!"

Have you looked for a part time position elsewhere? Not all places are like that. I used to work for a SNF where I might need an extra hour to chart on a bad day, but never "hours." RNs and LPNs had the same duties btw, so it wasn't like I had an easier time. They just wouldn't have considered telling someone to stay

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