THe unemployment bomb has dropped on my family....

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Specializes in Hospice.

Well, they always say when things look to good ya better watch it! My boyfriend and I decided to go to Vegas for the holidays and my birthday for two reasons. My ex will have the kids and I start my nursing program in May. We figured it will be the last time I have a life until December 2010. We bought our plane tickets and booked a really cheap room through travelocity for The Paris Hotel and Casino. We were going to do one nice dinner and take a couple hundred each for gambling and probably take in a cheaper show like Penn and Teller.

This morning I felt him standing over me as I was sleeping and he gently woke me up to tell me that he had been FIRED. It stinks. HIs job gave the bull crud reason of a "bad performance review". He has NEVER had a bad review and has gotten every raise at every step along the way. He works for a software company that is out of Chicago. We have noticed little things here and there that were odd. They resituated people, let some go just weird little things. This company provides software (at a riduculous price) to car dealerships. It is one of three that most dealerships use. Anyway I think they might be going down pretty soon due to the state the car companies are in and thos economy. It just makes me so dang mad because they knew we were going on vacay, it's right at Christmas and they gave a sorry excuse rather than being honest. Now he has to contend with that stigma while looking for a new job.

I have no dopubt that my very smart and very sweet bf can find something else. I just feel so bad because here I was acting like a spoiled little brat (Im really not I wear all thrift store clothes for petes sake!) while he worries about our rent and bills. I only buy food and pay "my" bills. I mean he did this so I could focus on school and kids but I ust feel like I could have done so much more.

Immediately this morning at 8am he started job searching and so did I. Though he thinks I shouldn't. But, I think I have until May to start Nursing classes, so I will! My schedule for spring semester is M,W,FR. So that leaves me with T and TH and Sat. I drive kids to halfway to their dads every other Weekend. He is in Springfield (savannah), Ga and we are in Orlando. Now that ben isn't going out of town all the time I could potentially even work some nights, I figure that waitressing jobs are fairly easy to find, even Golden Corral would be fairly easy to get.

BUT As I was searching I found an ad in a paper for a CNA Training program a stones throw form my house that is only $300. It is fairly short. So then I looked for CNA jobs around here (Central Florida) and there really were not that many advertised. I looked at monster.com, and Craigslist.

So I am wondering you guys what do you think is better? I really want to help with money but I also think If I could get the CNA cert then I am getting my feet good and wet for May! Also for you folks in central florida (CNA's) do you think I could find a decent job to work the days that I can? I do not have anything against LTC. Actually that is the ONLY experience I have because in Middle School I volunteered at a Nursing home. I have always adored older people, not to mention I am going to nursing school for something and it isn't the money! Although that makes it better.

As for Vegas we cant get our money back, so we are going anyway, but with a heavy heart. We are hoping it will make us feel a little better. We are just gonna skip the expensive dinner and the mediocre show and be in Vegas with each other for the holidays Plus it has been snowing there and the forecast says we will be there when it does again! Yippee. Nothing like snow to make you forget your unemployed status!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to Everyone! And remember in the state things are these days don't take anything for granted!:redbeathe

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Go to Vegas and enjoy.

Tell your bf to file for unemployment tomorrow. Unless they can document cause for firing him it's a layoff and he is entitled to collect.

A lot of nursing homes will train you for free, in exchange for a commitment to stay with them for awhile. Try that, and be honest that you can work per diem only after school starts.

And good luck. I've been fired right before the holidays more than once and it bites.

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Specializes in Hospice.

HI Sue, thanks for the kind words! Ben did immediately file for unemployment this morning at my request! He seems to think it will go through. But it is only $275 a week, but that will almost take care of our rent. So it is a good thing!

Can you explain per diem to me, though? I would only have 4 months, because I honestly don't know if I could handle work and NS, at least the school says it is a bad bad idea! I do think it could help though!

One other ??? to you guys. I have this "school" which is only one or two women or I could order the videos that some have put out demonstrating the skills you need to learn. That is about $150 I think. Has anyone got their CNA cert this way. I was online and took the written test I found through a discussion here. I got them all right it was just common sense I thought. But, the school sets I would need help on. I guess with that you ask the state to let you sit for the cert with out going to a school.

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Well, nursing school and children and working would be hideous, actually, and if your bf thinks that you guys can make it without your working I would honestly go that route.

"Per diem" just means that the facility calls you when they need you, not regularly scheduled. No bennies, higher pay.

As to the specifics of getting licensed as an aide, I never was one and don't really know how it works. Why not post a thread specific to that in that forum?

And relax and enjoy the holidays. Que sera, sera, and worry justs eats one up.

:)

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Specializes in Hospice.

Sue you are so correct about the worrying! Not to mention the guilt from even going on the trip. That is actually one of my biggest faults, I am a worrier. It is something I am working on! Thanks again for your help.

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No problem, honey. And why guilt for something you can't get refunded? Something bad happened so now you have to curl up and mope?

Nah.

:)

I'm signing off for awhile. Go ask about CNA training in the CNS forum.

It'll all work out.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

My brother lost his job yesterday. 22 years with the same company.

Right before Christmas...isn't that nice?

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Specializes in Hospice.

I am so sorry to hear that........

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I say do more research on the CNA. This sucks but it is wise to have a backup plan just in case your bf doesn't get a job right away. You would want to help with little things like your gas money, food, lunch/pocket money for the kids, electric etc.

I would enquire about CNA training through a local vo tech center. They are reasonable and if you make an appt. to see the counselor, they can answer questions re placement rate, hourly pay etc.

I am very independent and I know one of my fears is of being 'poor' and dependent on someone. Going to nursing school with children and working part time is very possible and has been done. Also, you have every other weekend free. Pursue the CNA cert research.

How old are your children? Good luck with both of your job searches.

p.s. Make sure that you have filed your FAFSA financial aid form. Look into taking out a small stafford loan to cover your incidentals etc.

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My son, his friend and his father (all sharing an apartment) lost their jobs 2 weeks ago. I was told last week that I won't be able to count on being employed past the end of January and I am forced on a furlough from friday through 1 Jan.

Yes, it bites. Things happen for a reason. (my belief anyway!) I am in IT as well and I work for a major Toyota distributorship. Things are bad all around in the auto industry.

I have my pre-reqs done. My sons are going to attend the local CC with me (each studying a different coursework). Son #1's pell grant will cover everything and the DOL pays for all of Son #2's. Student loans for the 3 of us will pay the bills in the interim.

My pre-reqs are done. I turn in my app soon and should be accepted (the power of positive thinking!) for summer. In the interim, for this semester, I will be taking 2 courses that are pre-reqs for the MSN (since I already have a bachelors degree).

Good luck. Have faith. Things have a way of working out!

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Specializes in Hospice.

Thanks momof5 for sharing. I am sorry to hear about your employment and fams. But you are right things do happen for a reason. you are starting Nursing school really soon and you will be able to focus on that, so that is nice. I am also using my student loans to live off of. But now with boyfriend unemployed at least til thebeginning of the year I am thinking getting something til NS would be a good idea.

I am still taking classes towards my BSN. It keeps me focused towards my end goal. Have a great holiday!:D

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Specializes in nursing student.

i know how you feel. Have fun in vegas.... i have family that lives there.

My husband has been laid off since nov 10.... sucks but at least we figured out that when I get in the nursing program if i have to work PT as a cp or us i can and we can still live.... it'd be tight but it would be worth it in the end. right now i work as kindof an administrative secretary on an icu unit.

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