How did you financially make it through Nursing School? (Looking for some advice)

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2008

Hello from Missouri!

I'm in the same boat, had to cut back from nine shifts/pay period to eight...that ends up being several hundred dollars a month less pay coming in. (I work twelves.) I've got a hubby (whose job is dependent on the housing market, and we all know how great that is rignt now) and kids. We have tried to entirely cut out fast food, extra driving, new clothes for this school year, etc. Luckily my work pre-pays tuition, but books are only reimbursed...that extra $250 almost killed us.

Way back when I used to get food from Angel Food Ministries, I think I'm going to go back to using them again...it's a program where you get a box of food (it's supposed to feed a family of four for a week, but realistically it's about four days worth of food) for $30. The menu is limited and pre-set, but it's worth it. No income requirements or anything either; it's distributed through local churches. I know several nurses where I work utilize this. Anyway, do a search for them, there's a way to find local churches that participate, it'll help cut down on your grocery bills.

JessLP · Oct 3, 2008

Wow. That would be awesome! I spend so much on groceries for my boyfriend and I and we're not eating steak and shrimp. We're eating cheap and we still go through hundreds of dollars a month even though we buy generic stuff and shop the sales.

I'm going to google them! Thanks for the info!

JessLP · Oct 3, 2008

Sadly I don't think that they're out here in Phoenix. There's nothing within 50 miles of my zipcode.

TRINI82 · Oct 3, 2008

Finance is also a thought that comes across my mind everyday. I am a single mom, and just finishing up my pre-reqs. I currently work for a call center at a bank, and there are all kinds of shifts, and it pays well. Right now I work 4 days a week, with 10 hrs per shift. I'm just not sure if I will be able to handle working full-time and going to school full-time, and then being a full-time mom. I'm from NY so I don't have much people out here that I know, but moving back is becoming an option. I have decided that with the waiting lists out here, that moving back to NY may be easier anyway. Also, my sister that does live out here also gets food from a food bank and it is located in Phoenix. It is called St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. They also have a website. Good luck:)

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2008

I canceled my cell phone. I canceled my cable TV. I don't buy things like paper toweling. I shop in bulk at Costco. It all adds up.

I'm going to graduate with about 40k in student loan debt. But it's worth it.

JessLP · Oct 4, 2008

have you found that youre saving money by buying in bulk? I have always wondered if i would save enough money to warrant paying the membership fee

groovy jeff, RN · Oct 4, 2008

Here's my list:

Become as debt free as possible; quit using your credit card.
Scale back your cell phone plan
Scale back on the things you can do without
No fast food; pack your lunch
Quit smoking
No Starbucks

I sold my house and got rid of my debt to make NS possible. I resisted buying a new car; my old Jeep has more than 300,000 miles on it.

I have had to take out several student loans to pay for school and will owe a ton of $$$ when I graduate; however, I will be doing what I have always wanted to do and will have the means to pay it back.

I see you on these threads alot and it is easy to see your desire to become a nurse. Just keep moving in that direction and do everything you can to achieve the goal. Before long you will be there! Good luck!

JessLP · Oct 6, 2008

thank you for all of your advice, everyone. im still nervous but i feel confident that i can make it work since you all have.

DisturbedEnergy · Nov 6, 2008

I am in the final block of nursing school... fortunately I'm in the Banner Nurse Fellows program so my tuition is covered but I have worked full time the entire time and I'm in an accelerated program. It's not easy but sometimes you make things happen because you HAVE to. I went from working 40 hours to 32 (which is still full time in the Banner Health system). The 20% overnight shift differential helps (and night shifts are often quieter allowing for a bit of study time). One of my coworkers has also maintained a full time position while going through a traditional program so it IS possible even though they tell you not to work. I don't have kids so that helps. No cable. My social life has all but disappeared with school and work so I save money there too. Not a lot of time to go out and play. You could also consider moving into a smaller place. I know no one wants to downgrade but it's only temporary. If you have to work, you'll need to learn great time management skills early on. No idea what your current work situation is but if you're in the health field, you can usually pick up extra time while you're on break. We have an entire month off school for Christmas and it's usually pretty easy to pick up shifts during that time. It might mean missing the greatest New Year's Eve party ever but it'll be worth it. If you don't work in the health care field, hopefully you have a job that has flexible scheduling options. You might consider registry positions since they typically pay more and offer a greater degree of flexibility. The downside to registry is that they don't usually offer benefits.

Anyway, just some of my random thoughts - it is possible but you may not have a social life.

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 6, 2008

Well, for picking up shifts as needed I have a suggestion. I work as an aide at a school and when I am gone it HURTS! They are short staffed on regular aides and subs to cover them. Subs aren't just for teachers. Most sub aide jobs involve working with special ed, which actually is good experience for NS. Once you are cleared to work/hired, you get a call in the morning with job offers for the day/week. I love the kids I work with and special ed isn't as scary as most people think it is.

What you need:

CPR/1st aid card

Clean record

Patience! (It can take about 2 months for them to complete a background check.)

When I start NS I plan to revert to subbing when I can't work full time for schooling. That is if I can't get hired on in a hospital somewhere. :twocents:

DisturbedEnergy · Nov 6, 2008

Well, for picking up shifts as needed I have a suggestion. I work as an aide at a school and when I am gone it HURTS! They are short staffed on regular aides and subs to cover them. Subs aren't just for teachers. Most sub aide jobs involve working with special ed, which actually is good experience for NS. Once you are cleared to work/hired, you get a call in the morning with job offers for the day/week. I love the kids I work with and special ed isn't as scary as most people think it is.
What you need:
CPR/1st aid card
Clean record
Patience! (It can take about 2 months for them to complete a background check.)
When I start NS I plan to revert to subbing when I can't work full time for schooling. That is if I can't get hired on in a hospital somewhere.

I have subbed before and think it's a pretty good option. The only downside... your traditional school year is the same as most other school years so it would be harder to take advantage of school breaks.

Sassie.... I can't respond to your message until I have posted at least 15 times. Sorry I work in the psych field. I've had a couple different positions through nursing school and the facility has been wonderful at accomodating when clinicals change and make things impossible. Mental health can be difficult to get into - most places require a bachelor's in a related field or an associates with two years of work experience. We have students working weekends in non-medical jobs, quite a few CNA's, an ER tech or two, a couple unit secretaries. I've met patient transporters in nursing school. Several are living off student loans. I'd guess that about 20-30% of the students in my cohort are working full time but a larger percentage work pool or registry and pick up a lot of hours when we're not in school. Hope that answers your questions!