Very confused at this point!

[wisconsin89]

Hello, this could get lengthy. I apologize in advance!

I am 27 years old. I have been with my boyfriend for almost 6 years and he has a 7 year old son. I received me CNA in November of 2015. I did awesome, I only missed getting a perfect score for the entire class by 4 points! I worked at a CBRF for 8.5 years. I was making 11.72 an hr. and it just wasn't making ends meet. I looked in the paper for something else and there was an opening for a correctional officer. Starting pay was 19.37 and hr. so I applied. Needless to say I got the job. I have been there for about a month and a half and I absolutely hate it! My schedule is all over the place and the people are so negative. They are saying I will have to wait probably at least 10 years to get on days, and I don't have any kids yet, so I don't want to be working pm's and noc shifts forever. And its not even a set schedule. It could be 3-11 11-7 or 6pm to 2am, it just depends. I work 6 on 2 off 6 on 3 off. I just recently found a nursing school that I can acquire my ADN part time. Now I feel that I have made a huge mistake in taking my new job. It is not flexible at all, and I'm afraid if I go part time to go to school they will let me go because its not job related. I am also very worried that I wont be able to afford to go to school. I am so confused at this point I am driving myself crazy. I'm also afraid that if I do go, I wont make it. I was not the best high school student there ever was. I did enough to get by. I could go back to my old job, work part time and also attend school part time. My old job was very flexible!! PLEASE, any input would help me tremendously!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

And does this boyfriend of yours work?

[enuf_already]

OP, now you know why the corrections job pays $19.37 an hour. Terrible hours, rotating shifts, inconsistent days off, working weekends and holidays with unpleasant people. Hey, this sounds like nursing!!

I suggest you make a list of pros and cons (pun intended) of staying at your current job for a year and saving money vs switching jobs and going back to school. Also check out starting salary range in your area for new ADN nurses and job availability. It may not be what you think it is.

If you are worried about taking college classes, start with one easier pre-requisite class and do it online. You can continue working and see if this is really something you want to do.

Ultimately, if you want to go back to school, you will find a way to make it happen. It won't be easy, but what you are doing now isn't either.

I wish you well in making your decision

[wisconsin89]

Did you actually read her post. She clearly states that she doesn't have any children. She never said everyone with a degree had their parents pay for it. She said she envys people who did.

Thank you, I was hoping someone would take it the was it was intended!

[IGOTMYBSN28]

Do not assume everyone with a BSN had "their parents pay for it". I was thrown out of my house at 16 and was on my own. I lived on couches to finish HS and joined the military and used the GI bill for school. I made choices...I didn't have children. You did. Children cost money.

Instead of telling us all what you don't have how about focus on getting done what you need to. If you hate your life and job then you either change it or you don't. Maybe your boyfriend needs to step up and do more for the good of the group? Maybe you need to save everything you can for a year and use that to live on. Create a budget and figure out a way. Prioritize and execute.

People actually liked this post?!?!?! Good grief!

Wisconsin - I know you hate your job, but getting paid near $20 hr is awesome, especially since you don't even have a degree (and you're just a CNA?). Anyway - try to keep this job if at all possible. And see if they'll work with your schedule. If they don't, then you'll have to quit .

As far as paying for school - there are TONS of options. Scholarships, Pell Grants, Loans (don't abuse it) etc... and please make sure to go to a school that is accredited. Let us know what you decide.

[Mancini419]

Yes, things can be VERY DIFFICULT! I totally understand, even though you said you do not have any kids, I just had my first baby 3 months ago. I also just graduated high school! I work part time at a family restaurant where my pay is $5 an hour plus tips. Right now during the summer, we are what we call "out of season" so i on average make only $40 a day and that's for 7 hours! Come season time though (October) I'll be making better money to support my family. Try applying for FASFA! There are also scholarships and grants out there as well as work study & low interest student loans! use COUPONS when you go shopping! BOGOs at food stores...try cheaper places to shop such as Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Save-a-lot.... apply for food stamps! Apply for section 8 housing! There is SO MUCH availiable! I know local churches always do food banks for FREE food too! Anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

[AvaRose]

The OP wouldn't qualify for assistance with a job like that and if they quit just to get assistance they would be turned down for not having a job. If you say you are going to school instead of working full time or looking for full time work then they will not give you any type of assistance.

[Oleacronon, BSN, RN]

$5/hr maybe you should try fast food restaurants, they pay way better.