Quitting my job for school

lovenotwar14 · Mar 6, 2014

I say quit your job. There are people who work and go to nursing school but it's so hard. You have to read and study and practice it leaves little time for anything else. I have two small children in a one income household. You may have to down size and sacrifice but it's only temporary

BeachsideRN, ASN · Mar 6, 2014

I am mulling over the same decision. Living on one income is so hard. I'm thinking I might stay part time at my current job for my first semester (both nursing classes are non clinical - dimensions of nursing and pharmacology), then not work during my first clinical semester and see how it goes. After that I am going to decide whether I will work for the remainder of clinicals. I'm thinking I will likely try to find a prn tech position or something of the sort for extra money.

16mm · Mar 6, 2014

I'm also the mom to two young children and will be quitting my job come fall (just got my acceptance letter:woot:) and I'm trying to save up as much as I can right now to make up for the loss of income. Unlike your situation though I am not the primary breadwinner, but I do contribute.

In addition to our savings I plan to apply to every scholarship known to man and lastly I will take out loans if necessary. It's hard being a mom, a wife, a student, and working. Somethings gotta give. I'm lucky that I even have the option of quitting my job. To those who juggle all those responsibilities my hats off to you!!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 7, 2014

I will hopefully be in the program in the fall and I do not have a job nor do I intend on getting one. But I can afford to not work so I am in a different boat. I would save as much as you can between now and fall and try to live as frugally as possible.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 7, 2014

I have to work full-time during school and it quite honestly blows (insert appropriately distasteful whatever here). However, I really do not have much of a choice in the matter. Fortunately for me, most of my schooling has matched up well with my work schedule. I already have a Bachelor's Degree, so I don't qualify for many loans and grants. I was able to get a tuition waiver though. I was also able to study at work so that has also greatly helped.

Ideally, you shouldn't work during Nursing School. If I didn't have to, I wouldn't. That would make things MUCH easier. If that's not an option or you can reduce hours at work, I would suggest that you try to get work to be flexible with you because of school. That may be in a change of hours worked to accommodate school/clinical/lab times or days off for the same reason, or other creative means. Apply to all the grants (primarily because you don't have to pay them back) and then loans that you can. Just know that student loans aren't dischargeable in a bankruptcy.

Also, do what you can to pare-down any extra expenses. The less you spend, the less you'll need to bring in to meet your needs. That also means that you will be spending a higher percentage on those necessary things.

pixiestudent2 · Mar 7, 2014

I HAVE to work. If you don't have to, then don't.

But I will say I don't think it's wise to quit your good paying job while your husband is being laid off.

RunBabyRN · Mar 7, 2014

If at ALL possible, don't work. It may require sacrifices, but don't sacrifice your schooling and your family any more than you have to. Even not working, I am barely home with my husband and son. Money is EXTREMELY tight, but we make it work. Family and school are my main priorities right now. Pretty much everything else (clean house, social life, even my running) fall by the wayside.

Sammy Jankis · Mar 10, 2014

I HAVE to work. If you don't have to, then don't.
But I will say I don't think it's wise to quit your good paying job while your husband is being laid off.

I'm really conflicted over this. My husband is employed now, and pursuing a new great paying job. I'm concerned because my job is so secure. There's no way I can decline my acceptance into the nursing program (some people stay on the waitlist for3+ years) and I commute 45 minutes to work. Going part time wouldn't be worth the gas.

I think I've pretty much made up my mind to take a risk and resign to pursue my dream. My husband is extremely supportive and says he would even work 2 jobs if needed to make sure we can survive. I'm trying to find part time work closer to home in LTC. Should I do my first semester, then work or is a part time job doable while excelling in the program?

Thank you so much for the feedback thus far, I really appreciate it. Any advice will really help me at this point. I'm just so scared of leaving my comfort zone. School is really important to me. I don't just want to pass, I want to put my all into it and be an amazing nurse.

RunBabyRN · Mar 10, 2014

Sometimes the scariest leaps are the most rewarding! I know that quitting two jobs to enter nursing school was scary for me, but we've made it work. You can't grow unless you stretch your comfort zone!

Reassess whether or not you need to work after your first semester. Each semester has its challenges. First semester, you're getting the hang of everything, getting into clinicals (some programs do, some don't), learning how to tackle the volume of reading and assignments, things like that. The final semester, for me, has been very time-consuming because of those plus preceptorship.

I try to get in what little time I have with my husband and son. With two young kids, you might find it really challenging to work while in nursing school. Your sanity is important, as is your family. The balance can be a real challenge. For now, just focus on school and yourself and your family, and go from there.

Sammy Jankis · Mar 10, 2014

I am starting the nursing program at my school this Fall. I work about 45 minutes from home and have Tuesdays and Thursdays off for classes.
I have a 4.0 GPA currently with working about 50 hours a week and have maintained this for two semesters.
I have two young children and am married. I have been at my job for 4 years and am a manager. My husband is making considerably less than I do but is looking for a better job due to being laid off in January. He wants me to only focus on school.
I talked to my advisor today, her advice was to quit my job and only work part time (less than 15 hours) If absolutely necessary. She said that this will be my new job.
My question is, how do you survive not working? If I can work, how many hours would you recommend?

I'm also the mom to two young children and will be quitting my job come fall (just got my acceptance letter:woot:) and I'm trying to save up as much as I can right now to make up for the loss of income. Unlike your situation though I am not the primary breadwinner, but I do contribute.
In addition to our savings I plan to apply to every scholarship known to man and lastly I will take out loans if necessary. It's hard being a mom, a wife, a student, and working. Somethings gotta give. I'm lucky that I even have the option of quitting my job. To those who juggle all those responsibilities my hats off to you!!

Thank you so much for the kind words! It's so nice to know there are others in a similar situation. Congrats on your acceptance as well!

NeoNatMom · Mar 10, 2014

My husband and I both work but I'm hardly working as much as before school. I am not sure if I can work but I have support to help in that. Do yiu have family who could help? A support system perhaps? Wish you the best!!!