Work Fulltime + education benefits or take scholarship and not work?

[Tony1790, BSN, MSN, NP]

Hi all, I need to make a decision.

Currently I'm in a LPN-BSN program, I work 40-50 hours a week at the VA, take home pay about $3400 month. In addition I take home about $2000 a month for college with my GI bill.

I have the opportunity to get school paid for (with nothing left over) and my salary paid (minus differentials) and I don't have to work.

Not having to work is great, but the problem is financial. I'd be losing about $500-$600 a month take home from not having differential pay, and the GI bill I get ($2000), it covers both my tuition and my son's tuition + books for both of us.

So do I take the ability to not have to work during nursing school and loose $1600 month take home or do I keep plugging away like I am, working fulltime and going to school fulltime? The only other thing to consider, is by not taking the money, then I'm not obligated to work for the VA when I'm done.

Thanks

Tony in TN

[dream_nurse]

I think that if I was you I would still work. I like having the option to bank extra money but if it becomes too stressful you may have to cut your hours. It also depends on if you like the VA. It does you no good to accept the scholarship if you do not want to stick around because then you will end up having to pay a portion(if not all) of the money back. Congrats on going back to school. Good luck with your decision.

[theantichick]

I am working and going to school (ASN program) and it's pretty horrific. I understand why nurses tell prospective students all the time not to work. That's not the reality for a lot of us though, I don't even have an option to cut to PT (I work in IT currently) and I made a C this mini-semester in theory, and I'm NOT happy with myself... If I weren't so overwhelmed and exhausted all the time and could study more, I know I'd do better.

So my advice to anyone is work as few hours as you absolutely have to in order to make ends meet while going to school.

[carz]

How much does the program cost to become a BSN prepared nurse in the states? Here in Canada it is about 30,000 with no funding from our employers!

[snow_bear]

You don't say if you need your healthcare benefits. Do you have a spouse that can provide insurance for you and your son if you quit working? If not, then there is really no choice. You have to keep your job.

If you have other means of health insurance, then by all means, give up working for a few years and concentrate on school. Look into loans for your son - you can always help him more when you are finished and earning an even better salary.

[MoniqueS]

If you can concentrate on school, you'll definately do well. This is a big plus and would be worth the loss of $. Being in nursing school is hard work and should be focused on. You have to do what feels right to you but be sure to think of your long term goal. :)