quit my RN job??

[HurricaneRN]

Hello! Well the title pretty much says it all, what do you all think about quitting an RN job to fully concentrate on FNP schooling? I am halfway through and start clinicals next semester and I have 3 little kids at home (5, 3, 2 months). Right now my life is crazy and I've been working only 2 days a week! I am working in a specialty that I'm pretty sure I DON't want to work at when I graduate (OR) so I'm wondering how it looks on a new grad FNP resume to have a 1 1/2 year gap in employment. I am per diem and I still have to take call, which is why I am considering quitting all together...call blows! My husbands job has benefits and we can survive on his salary for the next couple years but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and quit if it will negatively reflect on me when I start applying. I live in the south east and the market is tight, but not impossible for NP's.

Thanks!

[mtsteelhorse]

If you have the means to survive without working do yourself a favor and quit! You can then focus on life and school. Those kiddos need you and you'll be able to balance things better. If I were hiring and someone like yourself were interviewing I would understand that person wanted to dedicate themselves to their education. When you start clinicals it will be like a job anyhow. The balance in life is so important. Give yourself permission to live that balance. Your kids will only be young for a blink of an eye. Good luck to you! And, if you really want to continue to work find a per diem position where you can call the shots.

[Nolagrace1202]

I have done exactly this. I resigned in September with hopes of getting into np school. I just found out I was accepted & I start in January. I have 2 kiddos at home (3 & 8 months). I never imagined that not working while I was in school would negatively Impact me and frankly, I still don't. I think as long as you do well in school and pass your boards you are just as hora ble as someone who continued to work as an RN. Good luck :)

[OCRN3]

I had 1, 3 year and working full time 3 days a week! It was torture.keeping my floor nurse job helped me network to get a good job so keep that in mind. NP jobs are not all that easy to get nowadays.

[Hi2Jenn]

I quit my job when I started to focus on my schooling. I didn't think it would have any effect on getting a job. I think it is understandable that some people don't work while going through the program. Unfortunately, about the time I started clinicals I had to go back to work full time. I would say if you have the ability then quit. I really don't think it will affect you. As far as networking, I am primarily only running into hospitalists where I work. That doesn't help if you want an office job. You would get better networking by your clinicals and by joining local NP groups.