Quit work for nursing school?

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jan 16, 2012

[color=#2f4f4f]hey there, i have done the same thing you are contemplating doing. i've been jobless for 6 months now, focusing solely on nursing school.

i worked full-time as a sales associate and cashier for quite some time while i was majoring in early childhood. i knew i would be happier going for my nursing degree, so i switch my major to lpn. i worked through most of my pre-reqs without much of a problem, being that most of them were online. then i got to a&p and psych. i knew i needed to attend in a classroom setting for these, so that's just what i did. my workplace would no accommodate the change i needed in my hours, alas i quit after trying to work with them for a month. they begged me to stay and that they'd change my hours...they were just talk. i was not going to let them use me and my grades suffer from it. i often thought about if i would have stayed and how i wouldn't have the stress that comes with no money, but my grades would have plummeted to the ground.

if you're able to quit working and attend nursing school, by all means give it a try! if you're able to work through pre-reqs, save up while you still can. i have the benefit of still living at home and just have to pay car insurance, gas, and any schooling costs. i recently took out a small student loan for my necessities, and while i'll be paying back student loans after i graduate, i will not have the stress of nursing school + work. i often thought about working again, but now that i'm in my program and going 7a-2p everyday, i couldn't imagine juggling a job in between being there and my studies. i highly admire those who pull this off!

good luck in whatever you decide to do! i wish you nothing but the best! :)

leenak · Jan 16, 2012

This is what I plan to do. If I get accepted for the fall term, I plan to go to work part time starting in June and quit fully by the end of August. It is a scary thing but I don't see any way around it.

grownuprosie · Jan 16, 2012

Since the pre-reqs for nursing were probably not the same as your Business asscoiates, i am assuming you will have some to do before applying to nursing school. What i did was worked full time while doing pre-reqs. I put a huge portion of my income into savings. Anything above necessities and tuition went into savings. I am now in the nursing program and have a whole years worth of income saved. I quit my full time job. Because i saved up and live like a starving student, it has not been a problem. I work 4days/month and fulltime during school breaks. this should keep me fed with a roof over my head while in the program without taking out loans. I hope you find something that works for you.

aachavez · Jan 16, 2012

I lost my full time job unexpectedly, and found it to be an opportunity to go do something I really want to. I've only been in a couple weeks, and am still in gen ed classes (A&P, Micro, and Bio). I feel like I could handle a part time job, but I'm really thankful that it's working out that I can really really focus on school, and don't have to work.

kaysmom2 · Jan 17, 2012

It's bad enough I have had trouble finding a conventional job anyway. I have been running a cleaning business and cleaning houses for a little over 2 years now. I plan to keep cleaning on the side. I have flexible hours with my clients. I also do various odds and ends jobs to suppliment my income. In conjunction with my financial aid, this is how I plan to support myself. Not unless I receive a part time cna/pct position or something in a hospital. Other than that working a job that doesn't have anything with my field will not help any. Plus it takes an extreme amount away from school.

If you can find a work at home job, p/t gig, save money, or whatever you can do I would. Some people don't know how to get by this way, but if you do I would utilize it and focus on school.

NellieOlsen · Jan 17, 2012

If I could afford to quit working, I certainly would. As it is, I work full time and have kids, husband, etc. I'm managing and making good grades but so much stress would be relieved if I didn't have to work while in school. But it's not possible so I keep on plugging along. :)

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

I am glad that I am not the only one going through this! Right now I teach and I have another year before I can start nursing school. I think I am going to get my CNA license then work part time as a CNA/PCT while going through nursing school. Since I have a 8 month old and I am married, quitting fully might not be an option for me.

gReeNTwin1, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2012

I can relate to so many of you that my heart literally goes out to you:heartbeat. I was working at a job 2 months shy of 4 years when I decided to go back to school. They didn't want to work around my school schedule, so I ended up quitting. After I quit, I got another job at a gas station that works around my schedule. I was hired on part time there, but they gave me full time hours. After a couple of months of working full time, while trying to balance school full time, and my kids (2 and 5), I asked them could I work only on Saturday and Sunday...they said yes. Well, of course I needed more money....so I got a job with the school as a student assistant, and I work directly under the dean. Well...this situation seems to be much better. I work with the school during the week, no more than 19 hours a week. I work on the weekends at the gas station, 16 hours a week for a total of 35 hours a week. Working with the school is not stressful at all, and I am even able to finish some homework before I get home with the kids... Do what works for you...whatever that is that will allow you to obtain that degree and have that RN, MSN, DNP, or whatever title you so choose behind your name. GOOD LUCK TO YOU! GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!!!!! :hug:

leenak · Jan 17, 2012

I definitely feel for those that are single and especially raising kids. I said I planned to quit work but I didn't provide details. I am married and for the last year, we have been living off my husband's income and putting my income in a savings account. This has raised enough tuition for the school I plan to attend. It has also given me the confidence that we can be a single income household.

If you don't have someone to share the burden, I'd definitely cut back expenses as much as possible and save as much as possible. I know there are some people who just can't quit work for various reasons. My work is flexible so I've thought about staying on for 10-15 hours per week but I'm not so sure.