Would you not work your last year of school if you were able?

Well if it were me and I had the money saved. I would either challenge the CNA exam or work as a student nurse per diem maybe once or twice a week to get some extra clinical experience. And then spend the extra time studying...

Good luck

I wouldn't work now if I didn't have to.... It sounds like you're stressed with work; you have the money, it might do you some good to focus on school.

Like msdeannah suggested, working in the field might be a good compromise. I worked part time during NS as a CNA then LPN and the experience I got was well worth the time it took. When I did night shifts, I often (but not always) had some down time to study--enough to get by, anyway. It also gave me a foot in the door when it came time to look for an RN job--not a bad plan with the current economy.

I am in about the same boat. I have been told that the second semester is extremly hard, the program I am in has no qualms about dropping you either. So even though it is going to be extremly hard on my family and I, we have saved up enough money for me to take the semester off. I have been in my position for 10 yrs. never missed work and when I told my DON all she had to say was. I can't promise your job will be here when you decide to come back. I love what I do and this made me extremley sad, but with this job market I can understand. I just hope that I will be able to find a job as a nurse tech after the semester is over.

Through out NS I have steadily decreased my hours at work. I work as a nursing assistant, one to two days a week, so I will hopefully have a foot in the door when I complete NS in December. I give major kudo's to my classmates who work full time and have a family because there is no way I could do it. My husband and myself live very leanly, with the hope that it will be worth it soon.

If I were you I would just work as a PatientCareTechnicion/CNA/Nursing Student PRN or Per Diem anywhere. Yes leave that full time job you've been at for 19 years. But, that's just me!

Thanks everyone. I dont feel so "on the ledge" anymore. I have to keep remembering why I went back to school to become a nurse in the first place. I miss caring for people. 5 days a week in a cubicle is just not for me and I want to walk out of every test knowing I did well having had the time to study and not just wonder how I did. I will hve my sit down with administration tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Luck. That's bound to be a big load off your shoulders :).

devil's advocate here: you have done the BIG piece of work already in getting past your first 2 semesters-- it is such a learning curve-the clinicals,pathophys,paperwork and nursing process! peds/oB was enjoyable even- compared to the amt of info to process with med surg I-- pat yourself on the back-hit that 20 year mark and celebrate by getting that RN behind your name!! You'll do great either way!

Last semester i worked 40 hours a week as an IPS designee at a nursing home. Plus 32 hours of school a week. It was rough! This upcoming semester.. which starts my last year will be much different. I dropped down to 24 hours a week.. and I cant wait! But if i would have the means I would do this nursing school thing without working.. or at least only work like a shift a week to stay with my company. =) hope all works out.

I would say if you are ABSOLUTELY sure you have enough money for the rest of school and then how long it will take to land a job once you obtain your license then go for it!