MD Class of 2017: When to quit your day job?

[ChartaBona]

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Hi all,

I work as an almost burnt out CNA and was recently accepted to medical school. The truth is I just don't feel like working anymore, and I don't need the extra money either. I have already saved up more than enough cash to last me until August. From there on out, I'll be living off financial aid. I know how to live within my means and will receive slight aid from my parents, so I do not foresee any financial problems during medical school.

I'm 24, and my (probably flawed) logic is that I should enjoy my last bit of youth, as opposed to spending almost half a year to earn what an attending makes in < 2 weeks. And as for debt, is there really difference between owing $300k and $305k? I don't plan on quitting this second, but leaving in March or April seems reasonable to me.

What's your opinion on the matter, and when do you guys plan on leaving your jobs?

Also, do you think a gap of 4-5 months will raise a red flag to competitive residency programs 4 years from now? Ever since my grandfather had Moh's micrographic surgery, I've become quite interested in dermatology, and I don't want to sink my chances with any specialties before medical school even starts. I'll wait for Step 1 to crush those dreams

Thanks all.

 

[The Beyonder]

Hi all,

I work as an almost burnt out CNA and was recently accepted to medical school. The truth is I just don't feel like working anymore, and I don't need the extra money either. I have already saved up more than enough cash to last me until August. From there on out, I'll be living off financial aid. I know how to live within my means and will receive slight aid from my parents, so I do not foresee any financial problems during medical school.

I'm 24, and my (probably flawed) logic is that I should enjoy my last bit of youth, as opposed to spending almost half a year to earn what an attending makes in < 2 weeks. And as for debt, is there really difference between owing $300k and $305k? I don't plan on quitting this second, but leaving in March or April seems reasonable to me.

What's your opinion on the matter, and when do you guys plan on leaving your jobs?

Also, do you think a gap of 4-5 months will raise a red flag to competitive residency programs 4 years from now? Ever since my grandfather had Moh's micrographic surgery, I've become quite interested in dermatology, and I don't want to sink my chances with any specialties before medical school even starts. I'll wait for Step 1 to crush those dreams

Thanks all.

I have a similar decision to make. I can't wait to give my two weeks.

 

[tn4596]

Maybe convert to part time? I would not want to have a tons of free time without any or limited amount of money to spend enjoying it.

 

[CsHead]

Maybe convert to part time? I would not want to have a tons of free time without any or limited amount of money to spend enjoying it.

qft.


At least today I can walk to IHOP to get free pancakes in between all the working out.

 

[EndersRebutal]

My plan is to keep working until I'm about a month away from starting class. Sadly I am poor and need to work as much as possible till then. Though to be honest even if I had the money saved up I would probably keep working. I work as an EMS Dispatcher which can be a lot of fun sometimes.

 

[Dannyw]

I'll probably quit 2-3 weeks before class starts.

 

[theseeker4]

Hi all,

I work as an almost burnt out CNA and was recently accepted to medical school. The truth is I just don't feel like working anymore, and I don't need the extra money either. I have already saved up more than enough cash to last me until August. From there on out, I'll be living off financial aid. I know how to live within my means and will receive slight aid from my parents, so I do not foresee any financial problems during medical school.

I'm 24, and my (probably flawed) logic is that I should enjoy my last bit of youth, as opposed to spending almost half a year to earn what an attending makes in < 2 weeks. And as for debt, is there really difference between owing $300k and $305k? I don't plan on quitting this second, but leaving in March or April seems reasonable to me.

What's your opinion on the matter, and when do you guys plan on leaving your jobs?

Also, do you think a gap of 4-5 months will raise a red flag to competitive residency programs 4 years from now? Ever since my grandfather had Moh's micrographic surgery, I've become quite interested in dermatology, and I don't want to sink my chances with any specialties before medical school even starts. I'll wait for Step 1 to crush those dreams

Thanks all.

Residencies won't care about a gap before med school starts, they will care about what you do during med school. There is no reason taking time off before med school will prevent you from being competitive for any specialty. The only real thing you need to worry about now is not doing anything to get in trouble and have your acceptance revoked. If you can manage to avoid that, enjoy your time off.👍

 

[FakeEmpire]

I love my job so I will probably take about a month to get settled.

Just think of the alternative, if you will be living without income I assume you will be trying to live frugile. This means not being able to grab lunch with friends everyday, or go out late spending money on food or drinks. That is the problem I find whenever I have extra time on my hands, I want to do something "fun" and it usually costs money. Even going to the movies now costs so much! You will probably be just hanging out for a few months, watching TV maybe? If that is actually what you want to do, then have at it! You will work hard enough in Med school, but personally I would go crazy.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Quit right away, preferably in a dramatic fashion.

 

[Frazier]

When to quit?

When you have enough money saved up to get you to the loan-payday.

 

[kami333]

Quit on Fri, start medical school on Mon.

 

[MedPR]

I'll probably quit 2-3 weeks before class starts.

Same, but only because I need to pay bills ;(

When to quit?

When you have enough money saved up to get you to the loan-payday.

👍

 

[BabyDoc86]

Wondering the same myself. For now, looks like I'll be moving across two states, with orientation starting the first full week of August. I think I might be able to make a move-in date of 8/1 work, and I want to use up all of my vacation/sick days beforehand, so maybe the last week of July? Not looking forward to the chaos of moving.

 

[ChartaBona]

Maybe convert to part time? I would not want to have a tons of free time without any or limited amount of money to spend enjoying it.

In anticipation of secondaries and interviews, I dropped down to 32 hours/wk in July. I wouldn't be able to keep a permanent assignment on my unit if I go below that. The one day I ever floated, another unit tried to give me the workload equivalent of 1-1/2 CNA's, and they weren't even short staffed.

 

[William Hart]

Debating this myself.

Probably quit 5 weeks before school. Travel for 4 weeks and then have a week to get everything together and moved.

Depends on which school I go to though. I'm considering keeping my job part time as I only have to work 12 hrs a month to stay on and can easily pick up a 12 or 24 hr shift on weekends once or twice a month.If I live within 3 hrs of home that is doable.

 

[CRCprofessional]

quit right away, preferably in a dramatic fashion.

+1

 

[aarond]

A month, unless I get far more money saved up than expected, then maybe two months prior.

I want to be able to relax for a little bit before I forgot what it means to do so.

 

[ChartaBona]

When to quit?

When you have enough money saved up to get you to the loan-payday.

But that's today

Also, I generally don't like to go out to eat/ see movies very often. Cooking a meal and renting a Blu-ray @ Red Box is a much cheaper and more romantic alternative for my girlfriend and me.

 

[Irish Football]

Quit. You don't need more flair.

 

[ChartaBona]

When to quit?

When you have enough money saved up to get you to the loan-payday.

Quit. You don't need more flair.

One of my all-time favorite movies. It was actually on the other night while I was at work.

I think my biggest issue with quitting will be dealing with my parents giving me attitude etc. They think if you're not working, you're just lazy. My older sister worked part-time while getting her degree in education, so they figured I should have been working since turning 16. The fact that I graduated a semester early and at the top of my class means very little to them. They still don't believe me when I say it's not advisable to work during medical school 😕

 

[Tots]

I am considering quitting one of my jobs(the FT one) at the beginning of next year. The problem is I made commitments I don't want to break...so I very well might be working until next June. 🙁

 

[Narmerguy]

When to quit?

When you have enough money saved up to get you to the loan-payday.

👍

I am considering quitting one of my jobs(the FT one) at the beginning of next year. The problem is I made commitments I don't want to break...so I very well might be working until next June. 🙁

Why you working multiple jobs bro?

 

[farnell]

Quit on Fri, start medical school on Mon.

Not sure if you're kidding or not, but this is likely what I'll do...every last bit of cash goes a long way...

 

[Irish Football]

Why you working multiple jobs bro?

Because he's Tots.

 

[CsHead]

One of my all-time favorite movies. It was actually on the other night while I was at work.

I think my biggest issue with quitting will be dealing with my parents giving me attitude etc. They think if you're not working, you're just lazy. My older sister worked part-time while getting her degree in education, so they figured I should have been working since turning 16. The fact that I graduated a semester early and at the top of my class means very little to them. They still don't believe me when I say it's not advisable to work during medical school 😕

You're an adult.

 

[487806]

Quit right away, preferably in a dramatic fashion.

I was actually thinking along the similar lines. Perhaps OP could quit in a few weeks. OP, it seems like you're dissatisfied with your job. You got into med school, so there's no reason to keep working.

 

[Irish Football]

Not sure if you're kidding or not, but this is likely what I'll do...every last bit of cash goes a long way...

I love it when people from the SDN ads end up in people's avatars.

 

[kami333]

Not sure if you're kidding or not, but this is likely what I'll do...every last bit of cash goes a long way...

Very serious. I'm planning to move closer to the school 2-3 weeks prior but I think I can handle a 1hr commute for a bit (current commute is 5min).

I'll quit with the maximum PTO saved (300hours) plus I won't need to buy health insurance for the summer portion ($200 savings). If I could push back the school's start date by 3 weeks I'd have another 20% in my retirement account from the extra vesting credit + employer match but I don't think I'll be able to swing that.

Now whether I'm going to be useful at work or not, that's an entirely different story🙂

 

[benzonase]

Quitting right around may. cant wait ;p

 

[Tots]

👍



Why you working multiple jobs bro?

😕 good question idk.....Took the full-time one rather hastily after my gap year plans fell trough. Its not bad but I just feel like my brain is turning to mush shuffling papers around all day. The other one I really enjoy, is only a couple hours a week and pays well.

 

[CsHead]

😕 good question idk.....Took the full-time one rather hastily after my gap year plans fell trough. Its not bad but I just feel like my brain is turning to mush shuffling papers around all day. The other one I really enjoy, is only a couple hours a week and pays well.

Valet? Bouncer? Barkeep?


Bah nm.. looked at ur mdapp.. how not exciting if that's what it is.

 

[Praefectus]

😕 good question idk.....Took the full-time one rather hastily after my gap year plans fell trough. Its not bad but I just feel like my brain is turning to mush shuffling papers around all day. The other one I really enjoy, is only a couple hours a week and pays well.

You took a gap year? I honestly think you could've gotten into med school as an infant.

 

[Tots]

You took a gap year? I honestly think you could've gotten into med school as an infant.

You should tell that to all the colleges that brutally rejected me just a few years ago...

 

[pre med 2014]

Three words.

SUMMER OF GEORGE

 

[Abi123]

Residencies won't care about a gap before med school starts, they will care about what you do during med school. There is no reason taking time off before med school will prevent you from being competitive for any specialty. The only real thing you need to worry about now is not doing anything to get in trouble and have your acceptance revoked. If you can manage to avoid that, enjoy your time off.👍

Does that really happen?

 

[lobo.solo]

I would quit now too. If you don't desperately need money. I would rest and take it easy for the following months prior to med school.

 

[Josh7]

I would keep working. You never know when a few extra pesos may come in handy.

 

[lobo.solo]

You should tell that to all the colleges that brutally rejected me just a few years ago...

Oh wow!!! I didn't know. Congrats on overcoming that. Nevertheless your app is quite excellent!!

 

[ChartaBona]

Does that really happen?

Remember, remember, the 21st of November.

Also: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=680032

I would quit now too. If you don't desperately need money. I would rest and take it easy for the following months prior to med school.

Whenever I do quit, I'm planning on becoming a gym rat and getting some semblance of a six-pack by the summer (srs). I was hitting the gym consistently from April to August of this year, then I hit a wall where the fatigue from working as a CNA prevented any strength gains at the gym. I can either lift patients up and put them down, or lift things up and put them down, not both.

Also, when Heart of the Swarm comes out, I'll be playing Starcraft II nonstop. That's how I spent the gap between graduating college and finding a job.

 

[Abi123]

Remember, remember, the 21st of November.

Also: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=680032

Do not see anything definitive on that thread about extracurricular activities. The acceptance letters I have read mention the completion of the degree (w/ or w/o a grade req), health information up to date, and criminal background check.

 

[ChartaBona]

Well, I did it. I quit my job. Feels good man 😀. I've saved up more than enough to last my cheap self until med school payday. And with the scholarship I'll be receiving, I won't be owing $300k @ graduation. Anyone else quit or put in their notice yet?

 

[sinombre]

Well, I did it. I quit my job. Feels good man 😀. I've saved up more than enough to last my cheap self until med school payday. And with the scholarship I'll be receiving, I won't be owing $300k @ graduation. Anyone else quit or put in their notice yet?

Nice! I can't quit for another 9 weeks 👎

Maybe I'll be ballsy and make it 8.

please no that's what she said jokes.

 

[jemstone]

You should've followed in the footsteps of Tots and quit a month ago. Just messing, Tots.

I can't quit until the beginning of July. I'm with you, sinombre. 🙁

 

[Tots]

Well, I did it. I quit my job. Feels good man 😀. I've saved up more than enough to last my cheap self until med school payday. And with the scholarship I'll be receiving, I won't be owing $300k @ graduation. Anyone else quit or put in their notice yet?

+1. Quit a few weeks ago. An opportunity came up to leave without too many waves and on good terms so I took it and ran.

 

[premed071291]

I'll be quitting at the end of June. Then flying from the east coast to Seattle to drive down the pacific highway.

 

[ilikevegetables]

Quitting mid-May. T-10th shift right now... last day can't come too soon! 😀

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

I was thinking about quitting at the end of April and having a "summer of george" type summer myself...

Then I realized I will do nothing and end up staring at a wall all summer. I enjoy my job so I might as well do that. I'll probably leave it in July.

 

[nBeeDee]

Congrats, enjoy the time off!

I'll be leaving my job at the end of June, already settled it out with my boss and am on good terms, so thats cool. The day I leave also marks the last paycheck I'll see in 4 years, scary thought haha. July is reserved for doing whatever the eff I want plus a weekend for moving.

 

[BABSstudent]

Two of my jobs end this week. Then it will just be part time work until June and then I am gone.

 

[eggs13]

Done May 31st. Class starts July 10.