Should I Quit My Job?

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

Before anyone jumps to the assumption that I'm weak to even be considering unemployment in this economy, hear me out and give me advice, if you have any to give in this situation.

I'm a brand new nursing student currently completing my core classes, but soon to be attending a full-time nursing program (non-negotiable) 7-4 for 5 days a week, and I've never worked and went to college/school at the same time before. With that being said...I'm employed at WalMart.

While every store is different, mine tends to be full of slackers who take extra breaks to the max, and quite honestly, do as less as possible, which greatly increases my workload as it is. Some days, particularly weekends, I'm the only cashier scheduled. I work 32-35 hours/weekly.

While I'm being honest, I also hate my job. It enrages me most days. I work out in 100 degree humidity 4 days a week. The way our garden area is set up, we're out in the weather, just sheltered from the rain in a tin building. I've been a cashier for a year, and I got offered a Sales Associate position in the Garden Center, which is where I've been my entire employment, which I kind of loved the idea for, and after 3 weeks of waiting for the transition, I pretty much get it taken away from me and get told, if I do qualify for it, after they "test me out" here and there, that I'll still have to run the register since I'm trained. So what they basically told me there, is they'd like to increase my workload x2, because God forbid they hire anyone new.

Savings. It's a pitiful savings right now, but I'm 20, I still live at home, but pay for my own needs, such as feminine products, gas, cat food, car insurance, small cell bill. That's all I have to provide payments for. Very little compared to a lot of others. I plan on saving and continuing work for the next 4-5 months and save up, then put in my 2-weeks and become a poor college student until the 1-year program is up and I can get employed actually doing something I adore.

I just don't see myself working at wally world, period, while going to college full-time for Nursing. I want to put all my focus on schooling and not be bothered with the stress that comes with these customer service jobs. I rather establish a savings over the coming months, and try to make money on the side throughout school by breaking out my candle making materials and selling what I create.

What do you guys suggest? Would it be stupid of me to quit my job?

I feel I know what I want to do, deep down...but I need a little guidance to assure my decisions are the right ones, from others' perspectives...

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

If you are in a situation where you don't have to work through nursing school, definitely don't work. You'd be better served finding a position in a hospital after first or second semester in any case.

[lillymom]

Honestly if I could live and not go bankrupt while in nursing school then I wouldn't work. Unfortunately that is not an option at all for me so I am forced to work and go to school. I say that it would be fine for you to not work and go to school as long as you can afford all the supplies and things that the school makes you buy. My school strongly discourages their students to work anyway.

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

Not stupid at all. Save your heart out this summer. Don't buy anything that isn't an absolute necessity. Focus on your schooling and doing everything right. The only job I would keep is one at your future (hopefully) employer.

[caliotter3]

If you are going to work, it would be better to get a job as a CNA, or in some other healthcare position. But best not to work at all while in school. If you do work,however, do not tell your nursing instructors. Keep work totally separate from school. Some nursing instructors are known to discriminate against students who hold any kind of job while in school. Not an isolated phenomenon.

[CharlieT]

Save your dimes, talk to mom and dad, plan to quit. Wally is terrible to work for. Look for employment where it will build experience for your future. School is only for a limited time.

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

Thanks you guys. I feel a lot of my uncertainty on the matter stems from what I've gotten in result of telling others my plan. Of course, when all is said and done, it's my life and I have to make the choices that benefit me, not continue to do what others like to say they would do if they were me, because there's one thing to say about that....they aren't me. I appreciate all of your words on the matter and feel it is in my best interest. I know myself well enough to know FT NS and Walmart would turn me into a very stressed stranger to all that know me. I rather avoid that, and find work in a health-related field or environment while still in school, instead of trying to grasp on to a dead-end job that I truly despise while going through Nursing School. I want to focus on my future, 100% and not have anything in the way of holding me back from what I can achieve.

Thanks again you all! :redpinkhe

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

It seems that in your situation, quitting your job and focusing on nursing school is not a bad idea. You don't seem worried about not having income coming in, so why not, as long as your parents will support you. It's funny, your story seems eerily similar to mine -- we are around the same age, working at a job unrelated to healthcare. The difference is that although I do not like my job, I like having income and have put a way quite a bit in savings. I don't think I could ever not work; I would get extremely bored of just nursing school. Work is an outlet for me and I balance work and school hours just fine. I never wanted to be that poor college student if I could help it.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I just picked up a second job in my current professional field last week to work, and yeah I'll return to school full-time in August for the last year of a BSN program. If I remember right we'll get out at 4:00 four days per week. I plan to work my two jobs through the school year as well.

[33762FL]

Potentially failing out of nursing school because working at Wal-Mart leave you too little study time doesn't make sense at all. Talk to your parents, ask if they can help you with gas and cat food for the next few years in the program, and quit the joe-job that probably pays next to nothing anyway. Even if mom & dad want to keep receipts and have you pay them back once you graduate and have a nursing job rather than just pay for those small things for you, that's a far better option than squeezing in time to work at Wal-Mart when you could be studying.

[chelechele]

I have been told on many occasions by many different people (mostly nurses and instructors) that working and going to nursing school is not ideal by any means! It sounds like you already know what you want to do! Good luck to ya!