Work and school

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I must say that I am stumped. I don't know where this post belongs but since I'm in this forum I am going to post here...

I am sort of depressed (not terribly depressed just yet). Here's the thing:

Currently I work a Monday - Friday 830-5pm job. I really like but at some point I am going to have to give it up to be a nurse. I am hoping to start the nursing program in the Fall 2010 but for the school I am gunning for the program schedules Mon-Fri 800-330 (roughly). I was thinking of just getting a parttime job and saving up as much money as possible so I wouldn't have to work as much in my first semester in Nursing school and then hopefully get a job as a CNA. However, there is a (teeny weeny) problem with that....

I was also just trying to get a new job that has flexible hours and could work around my school hours. I would prefer overnight hours but no one seems to do that anymore these days...idk. I found a job with semi-flexible hours but it may not work around Nursing school and something is going to have to give....

I am 21 years old and it was just brought to my attention that although I've been working for almost 5 years and have consistent employment (never even a day gap in between jobs) I've had way too many. I constantly move from job to job. I've had 8 jobs total and none lasted more than the record 1 year and 9 months. Now if I quit work to go to school that would be my first gap in employment AND who's going to hire with a gap and a shady history? My application won't even be considered. There is no way to get a parttime job or even a new one or quit and come back without that hanging over my head. Should I try for the EXTREMELY competitve weekend/evening program (I'm talking hundreds apply but only 40 are excepted ONCE a year) or should I keep trying to get a new job. What are some odd jobs I could that are overnight??? Hmmm....I am stumped:confused:

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I had a variety of jobs like you, and i don't think anyone would hold anything against you because you are going to school. Have you thought about restaurant work or bartending? Or even a local grocery store, i used to work in a grocery store (late nights) and they have late night shifts and overnight stocking and cleaning crew positions. I feel your pain, and your going to do great. Good LUCk!

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Thanks for the response. I suppose I could try waiting tables, bartending, grocery stores, etc but I have to make a certain amount or I wouldn't be able to afford my bills. I live on my own and *sigh* idk...but that doesn't sound too bad. I am going to check around. Thanks again.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Hi Hon! Just a few words of advice. 1st, I don't think the changing of jobs is going to affect you too badly. You are still very young. It shows that you can talk your way into a job and that shows "drive" and that you can speak well. It's just important to have a plausible explanation as to why you switched jobs each time and why you won't leave a new employer.

Also, and I say this with compassion, you can probably par down your living expenses quite a bit and manage to live off a lot less than you think that you need. I'm saying this to you because I know so many young people (I was one of them) who think their need for money is greater than it is and this perceived need prevents them from completing college.

I'm 30, now and wish I'd totally cut back on living expenses and finished college when I was younger. But I'm also happy about the path God has me on.

I hope it all works out for you!

ps If you decide you need income while you're in school, have you considered working for yourself? I've run my own businesses for the last 11 years and will be running 2 businesses when I begin nursing prereqs. In my experience, I've made more working for myself than many employers would pay me without many years of experience and a degree.

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I've considered owning my own business but I've only got the skill of writing but not so much to where I could make a living. I have a set budget. I can't really control how much my gas and electric or rent will cost but I try not to drive great distance so I can stay within reason for gas and I've cut back on food and cut out all junk food and things I know I will never cook (this has saved me maybe $50 a month and an additional 50lbs :) ) but i am thinking about getting a roommate or something. I know I don't need to make $12 or $13 to survive but I really can't go down to like $8 or $9 an hour. I suppose that I will just pray about and whatever happens happens. Thanks for your response.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Hi! If you're a good writer, you can write articles online for about.com or ehow. The pay is between $500 and $1,500 per month. If you're a good writer, you're probably a good reader, too. You could write webcopy freelance, too. Just a few ideas. Make sure you consider your "take home" pay and not just your hourly rate. When my DH used to make $12.74/hr, he brought home $1,742 / month. I know I could make that in a "side hustle" business. There may be more opportunities for you out there if you know what your "minimum" pay has to be.

I just want to encourage you not to let anything get in the way of your goal of going to school.

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At one point I considered writing for about.com but I want to say that you have to know something well to write about it. At least, that's what I thought. I don't know a lot about any one thing except writing and reading. I know a little about everything and it's things that everyone already knows. Lol..it's hard to explain but I will surely check out webcopy. I thought about that once as well but never really went too in depth about it. My minimun would have to be at least 10.15 or 11.60 an hour because of where I live and how much my rent is. Their qualifications are that I make either 70 or 80% of the rent in one week before taxes. When I applied I barely made that. But I do make more now so that's why I say I can take a pay cut but not by much since I have to stay at or above that. Does that makes sense?

Also what do you mean "side hustle"? What did you do when you worked for yourself?

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I second expanding your writing into copywriting on the web. Finding good copy is difficult, and sooo important to web designers. Check out web design message boards because your best bet would be to start doing business with the little/medium guys (IMHO as a "little guy"). They don't want to THINK about copy and will pay decently for contract work. Keep in mind they may prefer a flat rate per page/project. Get yourself a website! (with excellent copy) :)

How about being a concierge at a hotel or ritzy condo? They want someone available for residents 24/7, and the great thing about a late shift is you should have time to study. I worked a 4pm-10pm shift for a year and besides being a decent paying job (I think I made around $11 with almost no job history), there were always easy side jobs like cat-sitting for the lady on the 10th floor while she summered in Europe....

Bartending is a good one, but I'd hate to be on my feet for that long after a day at class/clinicals. But we have to do what we have to do! Apply everywhere - you'll find something. Certainly don't worry about your job history. And don't apologize for it when you interview!

Good luck! I'll be interested to find out what you end up doing.

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Thanks CassieFL! You are so funny..."cat-sitting for the lady on the 10th floor". Good one! I suppose I haven't really thought about "odd jobs". I mean, I don't mind walking dogs, babysitting at night, or anything for a little extra money to pay bills. I suppose this is all a part of the college experience. I don't have mommy and daddy to pay for college and let me stay at home for free...in fact I live on my own (as I may have stated before) so I have a bit more freedom as to what type of jobs I can pick up and at whatever hours. I will surely consider everything!!! I'm pretty open about the jobs I can pick up (except I won't do anything involving clubs or street corners if you know what I mean, lol). But yeah...thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

What do I mean by side hustle? (-: That's just "slang" for anything you can do to produce income. For example, doing hair, delievering newspapers, ebay/amzon sales, recycling, selling m*ry k*y, av*n, c**kie l** or candles. Usually side hustles are things that people don't consider "careers" but they meet the "hustlers" needs. I'm being a little silly here, but I am absolutely passionate in my belief that some people would be better off working for themselves than for an employer.

You said you have to make x amount per hour, but if you decide to run a business, I encourage you to look at your time in terms of the value your service offers, rather than per hour. Many online positions pay per completed project and as you get more efficient, you'll find yourself making more per hour than that. But you might not be able to find work if that's how you sell yourself.

G/L

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What do I mean by side hustle? (-: That's just "slang" for anything you can do to produce income. For example, doing hair, delievering newspapers, ebay/amzon sales, recycling, selling m*ry k*y, av*n, c**kie l** or candles. Usually side hustles are things that people don't consider "careers" but they meet the "hustlers" needs. I'm being a little silly here, but I am absolutely passionate in my belief that some people would be better off working for themselves than for an employer.

You said you have to make x amount per hour, but if you decide to run a business, I encourage you to look at your time in terms of the value your service offers, rather than per hour. Many online positions pay per completed project and as you get more efficient, you'll find yourself making more per hour than that. But you might not be able to find work if that's how you sell yourself.

G/L

I wouldn't "sell" per hour. Per project is best because let's say for instance I did write as a side job and the project was a 500 word article on something I know a lot about. If I charge $10 an hour I may only get paid $5. But if I were to charge $50 per project (I'm saying for instance) than it would be $50 no matter how long it took me to complete it. But it always scares me to stop working and do something that isn't a guaranteed paycheck (what if someone doesn't pay on time or even at all, etc.). I mean, idk...i will consider it part time I suppose but I guess that's about it. Thanks

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Specializes in CNA.

Try www.workathomeagent.com and work for Direct Response,Virgin Mobile, etc.

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