Not sure how I'm going to survive

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I've been away from the board for quite awhile. I'm working night shift and it has been very difficult to get adjusted.

To everyone that is running up high student loans/credit cards/etc....here is something to consider.

I knew that I wasn't going to get rich nursing, but I didn't expect to barely be able to pay my bills and have NO money..yes, no money, for savings. At this rate, I'll be eating cat food in retirement.

These 12-hour shifts that nurses are on are designed to shaft you out of the other 4 hours per week that you could otherwise be working. When you have children that don't get to see you on the 3 days per week you are working, it's hard to stomach taking a 2nd job to see them even less but it's what I started doing today because I discovered that by the time I get my next paycheck, I'll have only $175 in order to pay for the groceries and gas to last for two weeks after bills are paid.

I don't enjoy going to work because I feel like I am there only to exist and there is no benefit to being there. I am too inexperienced to apply for much else and for the last couple of months I have had to literally plan my meals tryign to figure up how many cups of pasta, sugar, eggs, etc...I'll need so I don't buy one thing more.

I went yesterday to donate plasma for the first time in my life because I am worried I won't make it.

I need two new tires for my car and I have no idea of how I am going to pay for them.

I have a car I have had for 7 years and I pray every day when I get in to start it that it lasts because I don't know when I"ll be able to afford one. I couldn't even afford a $100 monthly payment right now.

I am so sad all of the time and I don't get any joy out of anything anymore and for the first time in a long time I have had to tell my children that they cannot have certain things and the next time they need clothes, Goodwill is probably all I'll be able to afford. I got called on low-census for the second time in two months...which reduces me down to only 2 days of vacation left...as I had to take time off for my own healthcare issues as well as one of my children. Who cares about a vacation...I couldn't even afford to take them to the Playland at McDonald's.

It's sad...it's a really sad situation..and I don't know how to get out of it.

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Specializes in rehab.

Baby Lady,

My heart goes out to you.

If you don't mind me asking...how did you get into this situation in the first place? Sometimes when we back track to the begining, we are able to begin to "solve " the problem...:redbeathe

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Have u done a budget? Do u only work 3 12s? Can u not add 1 more day?

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Specializes in MS, ED.

Babylady,

I am so sorry to read this and wanted to send ((((hugs))))) your way.

When I ended my last LTR, I lost everything....as in, out of work, burned through savings fighting him in court, in poor health, sold house at a loss, had to surrender the car I could no longer pay for, ruined my credit over joint bills he bailed out on. I previously made a comfortable six figure salary; to fall so far, so fast was devastating, (and humiliating.) In my extended family, I was the highest earner; it goes without saying that there wasn't anyone I could look to for help.

It was a very long three year climb back to scraping by steadily while I work and go to school. I've gone without a lot, and sure - there's been plenty of times when folks have made me embarrassed for what I don't have, (I know I'm one of the few who walks a few miles to nursing school. *sigh.) It takes me about two and a half hours (between three trains) to get to work. My tiny apartment still looks like I just moved in. Whatever.

You've put in the work. No one can take that away from you. You just have to figure out how to push, push push - get through this hard time until something gives. Is there anything around the house that you don't need that can be sold off? Coupons to clip? A stop at the food pantry for some extra to tide you over until the next paycheck? Some folks at church that you can confide in and maybe get a hand with clothes for the kids or some extra groceries to fill in? A few private duty shifts or home care for extra bucks? Consolidate loans to lower interest rate? Trade child care with family/friends? Establish a payment plan for things you need, (1/2 down, installments after)? Is bankruptcy a possibility?

I know you're proud, and I'm sure you are like me, (that you don't want to lean on others for help), but you can only pinch so much until there just isn't a pound of flesh left. Hang in there, and make a list of allies and resources. You won't know how much help is out there until you try to reach out.

(((((hugs)))))) in the meantime,

Southern

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Specializes in trauma, critical care.

I wasn't going to comment because your post seemed so personal, but, after walking away, I kept thinking about your predicament. Your situation reminded me of a discussion I had with a nurse a few years ago.

This nurse was living and working in rural Alabama. I was at her facility for a very brief stent. One day our discussion turned to wages and life as a nurse. She knew that I traveled frequently and had lived and worked in many different places; she was curious about how other nurses made a life on the little she felt we were payed.

When I found out how much she made, I was shocked! It was atrocious. She was making less than $20.00 per hour. She felt trapped because there were no other jobs where she lived; so, she hated the job she had more and more each day. But, in the end, she just accepted the pittance her facility offered her and swallowed her resentment.

Let me tell you, nurses make a liveable wage. Period. There are pockets (especially in the rural south) where local nurses are being taken advantage of by there local healthcare facilities. These places know that the nurses there have few options and they gouge them.

If this is your situation, look for another job and quit (even if you have to relocate). If this is not your situation, you do not value the services you provide enough. You need to view yourself as the commodity you are and look for a job that pays your bills.

On the other hand, there is the possibility that your debt is so enormous that it is impossible to pay your bills. I cannot speak to this situation except to say that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel -- you may need to ask your friends, family, or other support system for help to find it.

Good Luck:redbeathe

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Specializes in LTC.

Do you pay your tithes ?

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

Thank you for the kind replies.

When I relocated, I rented a house in an area where the rental rates were more expensive that I expected....I rented this house thinking I was going to be working 40 hours per week...well, I didn't realize until my first day on the job that you are only scheduled for 3, 12's. That is hundreds of lost money every month.

I have credit cards that I have to pay off...the interest is low...only 9% because I have excellent credit...I have about $7K in these that I racked up during school...thinking that I could kick some extra to them when I started working, but not working 40 hours per week nixed that.

I make $21 per hour on the night shift. I cannot work overtime without permission....and it's never given.

Yes, I live in a rural area...but with no way to save I have no way to move. As a new graduate, with only 6 months of experience, I am simply, not marketable.

I have no family in the area to help me with my children and have only lived in this city for a few months.

I am going to try to pick up a second job somewhere, but there are little to few jobs of any sort. I am even debating cleaning houses....which I have never done in my life other than my own.

I can't file for bankruptcy because even if I do....and my credit is ruined, if anything happens to my car I won't be able to buy another one or even get a another credit card for several years in case an emergency arises...I have about $3K left of available credit on one credit card that I am saving for emergencies.

I go to work and hear about all these nurses going shopping for this and that and taking vacations and other nice things....it makes me feel like I 100% wasted my time in college if this is the "reward" at the end.

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I thought nurses made lots of money... I don't understand

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Do you pay your tithes ?

Are you saying if I send money to Pat Robertson he'll cure me of all my problems?

I guess that is what happened to Haiti.

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Your pain is palpable. I wish there was something more to offer than just words but FWIW I am truly sorry you have to go through this struggle.

Some thoughts, of which you may have already considered... You mentioned your kids, wondering if you are their primary insurance carrier? This suggestion may be odd, because there is risk involved, but have you considered a contingent position? The risk with contingency is that you may be called off or floated to another unit (depends on your unit/hospital policy). If making your main position contingent is not possible, have you looked into the second position being arranged as contingent? The payoff of contingency is that you will make more per hour. Again, this is to compensate for zero benefits.

Can you sell anything? Books, not just textbooks either, round up all the books from the family and try selling them on ebay or amazon. What about kiddie items, etc? Does your hospital have an internal listing site for selling to people that are in your system--that might save on shipping costs if you have some bigger baby items you can part with now (or something else worth selling). Not huge money makers I know, but it might get you a few dollars.

Lastly, have you looked into deferring your student loans due to financial hardship? I can't recall all the criteria to fit in that category, but its probably listed somewhere on the website of the financial institution that you got your loan from. Usually financial hardship deferment is only allowed for a certain period of time over the life of the loan, so if you do qualify for hardship status be sure to remove yourself from that status as soon as reasonably possible.

All the best for a fast recovery :heartbeat.

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Specializes in rehab.
I thought nurses made lots of money... I don't understand

There seems to be something I'm missing...:confused:

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

consider yourself lucky....I get call at least one shift a week, I went from 72 to 48 hrs each paycheck. Now I found out that my 2nd job is cutting flexi shift hours(prn hours) by hiring more FT nurses. Good for those, but I just can't cut that.....lots of places/books have good ideas/advice.

I would suggest dave ramsey...take a afternoon at barnes and noble, read it, take notes, and just make up your mind to DO it!

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