Thinking about going from a stable job to a PRN agency job.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Currently I work in the School nurse's office as a school health assistant. The hours 8-4 are mon-fri with weekends and holidays off. However, during there is hardly any flexibilty. Sometimes I'm able to study quietly at my desk, other days I'm busy with paperwork and doing my job. The good thing is that this job is stable and I know what to expect on my check every two weeks. The bad thing is that I constantly feel drained working and attending theory all in one day.

Next semester there is a possibility that I'll have theory and clinicals at night. Now I have clinicals e/o weekend with theory only twice a week. I'm a B student now, but I don't know how much longer it'll last as the courses will get harder. I actually called out this week ( boss had to cover for me) just so that I can study all day to catch up. If I leave my stable job I'd be giving up health benefits.... but if I stay I'm afraid I wont succeed. I thinking about working as a private duty CNA doing 12 hr shifts three days a week when I'm off from school. I plan on graduating in 09 with my LPN.

My question is: should I hang in there at my "stable job, with the fear of failing out of NS" or should I Quit my stable job, and work for an agency, but have the fear of being busted broke while finishing up nursing school ? What would you do ? How many of you worked during the days and went to school by night ? I know its possible, but I also know myself and I'm not sure if I can keep up my A-B grades once I start the next semester... which is L and D along with Med surg. :zzzzz

[Jules A, MSN]

Health benefits are huge, imo, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to forgo them. At my school we also had to have health insurance so you may want to check that out before quitting. Personally since you have such a short time left in NS I'd stick with your current job but would really buckle down because calling out from work to study isn't cool. Wishing you the best.

[caliotter3]

You are too close to the end and your health benefits are not to be taken lightly. If you have been successful with this so far, you can do it until the end. Look for wasted time during your day and find a way to make that time useful. Add half an hour or one hour to the time you spend studying. If you are too tired at night, do like I did, get up early. I did my best studying in the wee hours of the am. Learned that trick in high school. Try putting stuff on flashcards that you can keep on the corner of your desk at work. If you have ten minutes, you can learn 3 or 4 flashcards. You can do this. Just decide you aren't going to let it get the best of you. Another thing to consider: you get a few minutes here and there to study at your present job. Shift work as a CNA will most likely not allow you time to sit down and study. For some reason, home care clients like to keep their caregivers busy. Good luck with finishing this and keeping your job.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the all the advice. You all are very right... I need my stability in work, and I need the health benefits and my all the other benefits. I should be grateful, because some people wish they can have my job. I know courses will get harder, but I'll just have to buckle down more and use the time I have well. I have been doing well so far, and by the grace of God I make pretty good grades. I get better grades than people who don't work at all or work very little. Maybe I'm just worn out from this semester... I'm sure after break I'll be rested, and fully charged to begin another vigorous semester.I want to be able to tell someone I did it the hard way, and it can be done ( although I don't wish that on anyone). Thanks again.