working while in school?(long post)

anyalobiro · Oct 23, 2005

You can be nice and all that but this is your future we are talking about!If you want really to be a nurse you have to set your priorities right, you can still be a student and find work around yur schedule.This dental office that you are talking about will not close just bcoz you leave,you found it there and you will leave it there.Also if you really want to do nursing you will eventually have to leave anyway so on being nice to this pple is it better to leave now bfore they get used to you or after?Its good you have known what you want to do early in your life, go for it!

Catsmeow · Oct 23, 2005

Hi. I'm tossing back and forth the decision to apply to nursing school soon b/c I just started a new job last month and I like the people I work for.(I'm a receptionist in a dental office.) I don't get paid much.($6.) Hr. I would really love to be a nurse but would feel so bad if I got into nursing school and had to quit so soon after starting to work for these people. Before I got hired, I had planned on going to school if I didn't get a decent job. My hours arent' flexible 7:30 to 5:00. and the program I'd like to get into doesn't offer a night or week-end ADN program. Should I follow my dream of becoming an RN or stick with my low-paying dead-end job out of loyalty? These are nice people, but I need a career where I can make money b/c I want to get married and have a family some day. Also they offer no benefits b/c he's private practice. Some advice please!!!

Didn't know if maybe you already had them finished or not, or if your program is set up differently, but there's usually pre-reqs to consider before you get into the ADN nursing program. Can you keep the job and start taking the pre-reqs via evening/web/telecourse classes for a while? Since science courses are generally pre-reqs for each other (in some ADN programs) it takes a series of 4 semesters of college to get through them all. At my school for instance, Semester 1 - Chemistry or Biology 1, Semester 2 - A&P 1, Semester 3 - A&P 2, Semester 4 - Microbiology. (So in my case I'm taking the A&Ps during the summer semesters to cut it down to one year instead of two.)

So while you may only need say... 10 courses (as my school requires) as pre-reqs for the nursing program, they are spaced out over a long period of time because they must be taken in that order, and you wouldn't be taking many credits per semester. They also often require an english course, Intro to Psych, Nutrition, etc. before you apply to the ADN program.

But really, if you can do it, work til the next semester or class is 'bout to start, then quit that job and go to school. :) The job you are doing is easily filled, hence the very low pay. They will find a new receptionist with no trouble as the only qualification is generally a HS diploma. Don't feel any sort of guilt about it at all. If you are capable and have the opportunity for further education you owe it to yourself to go. I interviewed and was offered a job in a really nice Dr's office last year some time doing insurance claims. When they told me it was $7.25 an hour I told them I was terribly sorry but I wouldn't be able to justify working at ALL at that wage as it barely would pay my expenses for returning to work. (daycare, car and wardrobe expenses, etc.) $6 an hour is well under poverty level per year! :uhoh21: Do not feel guilty darlin'.

Warmest wishes, and I highly admire your work ethic.

Sunshine Sweetheart · Oct 23, 2005

I agree, nursing school will not wait for you and the dental office will be just fine. Once you are in school you can get a job at a local hospital as SNA(Student Nurse Assistant). One hospital in my area pays their SNAs 13.50/hr. Not bad. Going to school will open the door to more oppurtunities and better paying jobs. Good Luck

Fun2, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

Personally, if the dentist (or any employer) looks down on anyone advancing themselves, I wouldn't want to work for them anyway!

Do what you feel you need to do. Work now for the money, and if you get in, you will have plenty of time for them to find a replacement between getting accepted and actually starting.

GOOD LUCK! :)