What to do with my gap months

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Hey everyone,

This is going to be a long story, so please bear with me.

So I recently got accepted into a nursing program whic starts in June. I graduated with my first BS in December 2016 so I'm not a student at the moment. I can't wait to start the program and it is great to have some time off before I start the program but I also feel hollow and anxious thinking about what I'll do with these few gap months prior to June before I move down to a different city to begin the program.

I have a CNA license so I thought I could maybe work as a CNA until I start the program but the facility I wish to work at was not really interested in hiring me because I would only be working for a good solid 2 months after a long hiring process. I'm also going out of country for 2 weeks in February so I feel like right now is not the right time to be looking for a part time job.

I'm not really an outgoing person so I don't go out to hang out with friends (I don't have friends in town in the first place because they all went back to their hometowns and went to graduate school somewhere else). So since my graduation, working out and reading books have been all I do in a day. I feel like a loser not being socially active and engaged and this feeling is eating at me and causing me to dig a hole and feel bad about myself.

I know I need to be thankful for what I have and making into the program but having to wait another few months without doing anything meaningful is really torturous to me. I guess I'm just not sure what I should be doing right now and for the next few months. It just feels so awkward, meaningless, and guilty to be doing nothing after all those years of studying and just having something to do everyday. Are there any part time jobs that will hire me just for 2-3 months? Should I do some pre-study before I start the program? I just need something meaningful that I can commit myself into.

Any suggestion or advice would be much appreciated... Thanks in advance!!

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I would try to find someplace to work per diem. You can definitely keep up a per diem job while in nursing school and it looks great on a resume.

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Read, read, read!

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Second book, per diem job, and exercise...Also some vacation time relax the brain!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I would say buy the nursing books ahead of time and get a head start on the material. I'm not sure what kind of program you are in. Online accelerated BSN? ADN? On campus BSN? Depending on the program, it may be a good idea to work at a hospital, then drop down to part time once you start school. You could be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Not to mention being able to get hired at the hospital you'd already be working at. Or you could just relax and take a break. Get a little job and wait for the program to start. I'd save up so you can pay cash for as much as possible.

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But don't you have to go through the same hiring process to be a per diem CNA? My problem is that I'm moving to a different city for my nursing program probably in May so I only have so much time to work after I come back from my trip in February and that's why the hiring manager was not so willing to hire me as a CNA in the first place. But I'll definitely look up some per diem positions in the city I'll be moving to. Thanks for your suggestion!

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Read, read, read!

Yes, that's what I'm trying to do because I know nursing school won't spare some time for me to read!

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I would try to find someplace to work per diem. You can definitely keep up a per diem job while in nursing school and it looks great on a resume.

But don't you have to go through the same hiring process to be a per diem CNA? My problem is that I'm moving to a different city for my nursing program probably in May so I only have so much time to work after I come back from my trip in February and that's why the hiring manager was not so willing to hire me as a CNA in the first place. But I'll definitely look up some per diem positions in the city I'll be moving to. Thanks for your suggestion!

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I would say buy the nursing books ahead of time and get a head start on the material. I'm not sure what kind of program you are in. Online accelerated BSN? ADN? On campus BSN? Depending on the program, it may be a good idea to work at a hospital, then drop down to part time once you start school. You could be eligible for tuition reimbursement. Not to mention being able to get hired at the hospital you'd already be working at. Or you could just relax and take a break. Get a little job and wait for the program to start. I'd save up so you can pay cash for as much as possible.

I'm moving to a different city for my program in a few months so getting hired at a hospital in my current city doesn't really make sense. I guess maybe I should consider moving down even earlier to get settled in and get a part time job at a local hospital before the program starts. I'll try to enjoy a little break from school as much as I can but it just feels so depressing... Thanks for your suggestion though!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Trust me when I say this. Anytime you have to relocate and have a chance to do it earlier go for it. Get a temp job somewhere just for money. If it's an area you are unfamiliar with you may want to get a head start on moving. Never move at the last minute if you don't have to. Trust me. Been there done that learned my lesson.

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I don't know what your financial situation is, but I would consider travelling!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Take this time and RELAX! Trust me, nursing school will have you wishing you would have taken the time to settle down and enjoy your freedom. I felt the same way before I started my program and I wish I would have taken the time to travel, go to the spa, read for pleasure (instead of text books), etc. I know you're anxious and chomping at the bit to start. It's only a few months. Enjoy your free time now while you have it :D

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