I have a little dilemma here. I am going to start the ADN program in January. I'm very excited at the same time, I'm super nervous. I think I'm more nervous cuz of financial obligations.
I'm currently working as a CNA for the county of los angeles hospital. I'm going to quit my job, first of all because I cannot do full time work and full time school (especially nursing). I'd rather get good grades than failing. Second, I'm a wife-to-be and a mother of 1 boy (3 year old). My fiance is a civil engineer and makes decent money. We live in a house and mostly my fiance pays for everything...pretty much!
as a CNA, we don't get paid that much. My paycheck goes to my bills and groceries only ( I can't remember the last time I shopped for myself). I asked my husband to support me and he is very supportive. We're going to be on a tight budget in the next 2 years.
So how did you survive nursing school-financial wise? I"m thinking of working part time. But even that, it's very time consuming. I need a lot of time for studying. I need advises!
If you can, keep the job, at least per-diem. It'll keep you as an internal employee for when the new grad RN hunt begins...it won't guarantee you the job, but it'll improve your chances.
I didn't work in nursing school because I was essentially single-parenting a two year old while the better half was stationed overseas. What we did do was budget like crazy. I didn't go out a lot, didn't take any vacations that involved more than driving a few hours, didn't buy myself anything I didn't need, kept my old truck in good shape so we could postpone getting a new one (and guess what, I'm still driving that beast!), and was very creative when it came to cooking. My one treat was a Netflix subscription so little one and I could watch all the programming I wanted for $15/mo.
First of all, don't quit your job. To be blunt, your fiance/husband could disappear tomorrow, leaving you and your kid with nothing. I've seen it happen too many times, including to my own mother (who was married).
Would it be possible to work part-time and go to school full-time, or go to school part time and work full time? Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement?
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I worked part time while I was in school (except for the last semester due to capstone). I borrowed a little extra money to get through the semester. It was worth it.
I agree with the others to keep working if you can.
Thanks for all the advises guys! At my job, they do dont hire part time CNA or per diem. I guess im gonna have to look for a per diem job at another facility. Yeah, im thinking of doing a per diem CNA, I just dont know how heavy it will be when I start the nursing program in January ( such as school work and stuff..)
For those of u who worked part time or working part tome while in the program, how was it? How was ur grades?
I worked every weekend. Between class and clinicals, I was unable to work during the week for the most part, so I worked every Sat and Sun as a med aide in a nursing home. I saved my tax return checks and lived off those and my measly paychecks.
And to answer your last question, I finished up my last semester with all A's and made the Dean's list all while attending school full-time, working part-time and being a mom. It IS doable.
I worked every weekend. Between class and clinicals, I was unable to work during the week for the most part, so I worked every Sat and Sun as a med aide in a nursing home. I saved my tax return checks and lived off those and my measly paychecks.
And to answer your last question, I finished up my last semester with all A's and made the Dean's list all while attending school full-time, working part-time and being a mom. It IS doable.
Wow! You must be really smart to be a straight As and be on the deans list. Im just an average student. I get Bs also.
But yeah, Im thinking of finding a job as a CNA and work every weekends only or per diem. I know it is doable, but I also know my capacity.
Im starting an ADN program next month too! I wont be working either, if you dont need to I wouldnt..we should be focusing on school and specially if you have a little one!My husband will beproviding for us..I guess the only advice I can give is to try to cut any unnecessary costs/luxuries to make up for the income difference. Good luck! :)
PapaBearRN, BSN
203 Posts
I would stick with the CNA position. See if you can work part time? It would be a shoe in when you graduate nursing school.