Would you give up a great federal job to pursue a nursing degree

Lightning90 · Jan 6, 2017

If nursing is what you really want to do, then go for it.

FutureNurseInfo · Jan 6, 2017

Did you research starting nurses' salaries in your area/other states? Is it at least same as what you earn now at your job? You said you loved your job! have you considered if you would hate nursing? You never know. Why don't you shadow a nurse, or volunteer at nursing homes and/or hospitals. Try it before you dive in. I mean, if you really hated your current job, then going for nursing would be well justified. Just my two cents.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 6, 2017

Nope. It would be foolish to give up a job I love to embark on something that may or may not turn out well. I'd work on reducing my debts.. maybe get a part time job for a while.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

How much do you make? Cannot respond without that info.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

Federal jobs often come with some pretty decent benefits (insurance plans, pension, holiday and sick time) you won't find in nursing jobs. Also bear in mind that M-F nursing jobs are coveted. What is the job market for nurses in your area? You may find that you have to work 12 hour shifts, possibly night shift, definitely weekends, and major holidays every other year. Since you say you have a child, these are huge factors in your work/life balance. Do you have child care for those long shifts and weekends? Can you afford to pay for it if you don't? Are you okay with possibly missing sporting events or recitals because you have to work? What about being at work on Christmas? All things to consider in addition to how much money you'll be bringing home. Will you be able to pay off your loans in addition to saving for your child's education?

Do you have a current college degree? If so, what is it? What kind of program are you considering? ADN? BSN? Accelerated BSN? The cost and intensity of each of those programs varies. Why do you want to be a nurse? Is it only for the financial benefits? Are there ways to increase your earning potential within your current field that don't involve taking out loans?

NurseEmmy · Jan 7, 2017

I'd stay in the job you love. Nursing is not for everyone and takes A LOT of sacrifice.

gere7404, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

See if you can find another federal entity to work for. I'm working as a GS-6 overnight at the VA which gives me a great place to study and helps pay the bill a bit.

Divalish918 · Jan 7, 2017

I make about 25k less than what nurses make for my current employer. I work closely with nurses for quite sometime so I have an idea about nursing. I do love my job but I want to advance for the pay as well as the prestige

Divalish918 · Jan 7, 2017

Federal jobs often come with some pretty decent benefits (insurance plans, pension, holiday and sick time) you won't find in nursing jobs. Also bear in mind that M-F nursing jobs are coveted. What is the job market for nurses in your area? You may find that you have to work 12 hour shifts, possibly night shift, definitely weekends, and major holidays every other year. Since you say you have a child, these are huge factors in your work/life balance. Do you have child care for those long shifts and weekends? Can you afford to pay for it if you don't? Are you okay with possibly missing sporting events or recitals because you have to work? What about being at work on Christmas? All things to consider in addition to how much money you'll be bringing home. Will you be able to pay off your loans in addition to saving for your child's education?
Do you have a current college degree? If so, what is it? What kind of program are you considering? ADN? BSN? Accelerated BSN? The cost and intensity of each of those programs varies. Why do you want to be a nurse? Is it only for the financial benefits? Are there ways to increase your earning potential within your current field that don't involve taking out loans?

I have a bachelors degree in healthcare administration. I was a nursing major 10 years ago but marriage and a child got in the way and I flunked out, so I decided to use my credits toward something different. Now that I am divorced, the feeling of wanting to be a nurse never left me. Its just that I have it soooo good right now. I work M-F, no holidays and I know especially in the beginning I wont be that lucky to find a nursing job that offers those type of hours. I worked as a nursing assistant s while back and I got burned out very quickly, I only lasted 2 years.

I have no additional money saved so I'm living check to check, paying minimum on loans and barely saving for my child because I cant afford to. My child's behavior is so much better since I started working day shift and I am able to focus on him more, as he was slacking in school. I was going to go whichever route I can take, my grades are sub par , but I have done better in school this time around, as I had to repeat all of my pre req's because they were outdated.

Irish_Mist, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2017

I currently work in the federal sector for a year now. I understand nursing school is difficult especially working full time. I am stuck on what to do , because honestly, I love my job! I just don't find it to be financially satisfying and of course I've always wanted to be a nurse, just had many factors get in the way. I just a bit afraid because I feel comfortable where I am employed, but I have a child to support, a place to maintain, as well as many debts. So quitting my job and living of loans or whatever means to get by is a bit scary to me. I could delay nursing school and do an evening program, and get reimbursed by my employer, but I would have to wait a year or more to start a program vs. starting this year. Please advise on what you think is the best course of action. Has anyone ever been in this situation? Please share. Thanks in advance!

Honestly, if you love your job, stay with it. You don't know if you will love nursing plus you have many obligations. It does not sound fiscally responsible or wise to quit a stable job and live off of loans to incur more debt for a career that may not be for you.

Now, if you REALLY REALLY want to be a nurse, pay off your debts, save up some money to live off of and make sure it is enough to last you a while, and then pursue nursing school. You have a job that pays the bills, provides fantastic benefits and it is one you love. Not many people can say that. Nursing is very stressful and many nurses work holidays, nights, weekends, birthdays, etc. Nursing care is needed 24/7. Weigh these matters before going to nursing school because most nurses do not have a Monday-Friday, 9-5 schedule with paid holidays off.

Julius Seizure · Jan 8, 2017

I work M-F, no holidays and I know especially in the beginning I wont be that lucky to find a nursing job that offers those type of hours. I worked as a nursing assistant s while back and I got burned out very quickly, I only lasted 2 years.
I have no additional money saved so I'm living check to check, paying minimum on loans and barely saving for my child because I cant afford to. My child's behavior is so much better since I started working day shift and I am able to focus on him more, as he was slacking in school.

I'm not feeling like its a good idea for you right now.

1. You are living paycheck to paycheck and barely keeping up with payments on the loans that you already have. I assume that your plan if you were to go to nursing school is to take out more loans to pay for school AND for living expenses? You are going to be up to your eyeballs in debt....and nursing might pay better, but not good enough for all that.

2. You say that its been beneficial to your child for you to be working day shift hours. If you go to nursing school, you are likely throwing all that stability out the window for at least a while. Maybe this isn't the right time.

3. You worked as a nursing assistant for 2 years and were burned out? What burned you out about it, and do you think it would be different as a nurse? Between the hours and shift work, and the environment, many (not all) of the stressors are the same.

I currently work in the federal sector for a year now. I understand nursing school is difficult especially working full time. I am stuck on what to do , because honestly, I love my job! I just don't find it to be financially satisfying and of course I've always wanted to be a nurse, just had many factors get in the way. I just a bit afraid because I feel comfortable where I am employed, but I have a child to support, a place to maintain, as well as many debts. So quitting my job and living of loans or whatever means to get by is a bit scary to me. I could delay nursing school and do an evening program, and get reimbursed by my employer, but I would have to wait a year or more to start a program vs. starting this year. Please advise on what you think is the best course of action. Has anyone ever been in this situation? Please share. Thanks in advance!

If you really want to pursue nursing, I would HIGHLY encourage you to wait. Being reimbursed by your employer and able to work while you go through school is a much better scenario financially. You say it yourself, you have financial obligations and already have debt. Don't add to it needlessly.