Advice and encouragement, PLEASE?!?!?

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Hello to all! I need some help please. I quit my great-paying but highly political job back in September to better concentrate on my 7 hour course load and to find a healthcare-related job. Even though I had been applying since August at several hospitals, doctor's offices, etc in the Dallas metroplex, I never dreamed it would take sooooooo long to get acknowledged & hired! I have drained my checking & savings accounts and I now have $18 and some odd cents until I receive my first paycheck. This is the problem - I have NO IDEA when I will get my first paycheck! The manager I interviewed with has been acting a bit bizarre, as if he has a memory problem or something. HR told me when to attend orientation and all of that good stuff, but when I question about getting scheduled to work, HR said to speak with the manager. When I speak with the manager, all he can tell me is when I am scheduled to go to orientation. When I ask about when I can actually work he tells me that he needs to get back with me later. This has been going on over 2 weeks! On top of everything else, I'm supposed to be working the late night shift, so I've used the past 2 weeks to being awake all night and sleeping during the day. I have a strange school schedule that starts next week (I gave a copy of this schedule to the manager when he interviewed me so he would know going into this what we were working with...). I will be going to school Tues & Thurs from 8 AM - 1 PM and then Wed from 4 PM - 9 PM. This morning the manager told me that I need to go to their nursing assistant training class next week (Mon - Fri) from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. I told him that I was confused, that this conflicts with my school schedule that we had already discussed. So now I don't know what to do about any of this! School is obviously my priority. I would look for another job but it's taken me this long to get this far already. I need $$$ soon. When I quit my job & found out that it was taking longer to get a job than I expected, I realized that it probably would drain me financially and that my credit would probably suffer. I'm a month late on most of my bills (I make my car payment a priority), and the creditors are calling. I keep telling them that I have a job but I haven't started it yet, that I will make up my payments with my first 2 or 3 checks to get back on track, but at this point I can't even tell them when I'm going to get a check! I've already checked into financial aid, but I made too much last year to receive a penny. I had checked previously into school loans but again, couldn't receive one because of previous credit problems due to some surgeries I had that derailed me financially, and same goes for a personal loan. My parents are both retired and only receive social security for their means of income, so they cannot contribute anything except they feed me now that I'm low on money. The only thing I can think of at this point is that maybe this manager isn't good on the phone, so should I risk looking like an idiot, go up to the hospital and request to speak with him in person, or what? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Thank you so much for your time - I know this is lengthy, but I do appreciate it!

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I'm a little confused. Are you saying that the orientation and training at this healthcare facility is starting on the same week your classes start?

I would go ahead and show up for orientation and training at the facility on Monday morning as scheduled. Halfway through the day I would bring up with whoever is responsible for the scheduling (because you'll find out more when you get there for the actual classes) that you had an agreement that the facility was going to work around your school schedule. I would keep sitting in and attending the orientation and trying not to show on the outside how upset you are. On Monday at the end of the day, remind them that you won't be on Tuesday because of school. If nothing is said, show up on Wednesday and make it clear that you have to leave early to attend school. If you are dealing with a large facility you will most likely be working with nurse educators who are accustomed to altering their schedules.

Call your city hall and tell them your situation with your bills, particularly your utilities. Many city halls have emergency funds they use to help out citizens in their community who are having immediate problems paying bills. So, do many church groups. You have to ask, however. Your school or one of the school counselors might also be able to direct you in the way of some emergency financial help.

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
I've already checked into financial aid, but I made too much last year to receive a penny. I had checked previously into school loans but again, couldn't receive one because of previous credit problems due to some surgeries I had that derailed me financially, and same goes for a personal loan.

This is a sad state of affairs. What do you mean you made too much last year? According to who?

You need to tell your manager that it's time to fish or cut bait -- you can't live on nothing. It's possible that the manager has so much to do that s/he doesn't realize how many times he's put you off. You can tell him or her in a polite, friendly way. If he doesn't respond, you haven't got a job -- and at that point, you need to tell HR why you're not working.

I'm not sure where you got the advice about financial aid, but I'm in the same boat you are: I quit a good job in September to go to school full-time. My income, however, has no impact on my ability to get a loan. It takes my university about two weeks to process one.

Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

I was in the same boat 3 months ago...got a private loan as I was appealing school putting me on warning status, then drained the bank accounts while going to school....now I work nights and am stuck a bit, but recovering nicely..thank god for caffine and direct deposit, I never wake up in time to go to the bank...

Keep the faith, and don't let anyone push you around.

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
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I'm not sure where you got the advice about financial aid, but I'm in the same boat you are: I quit a good job in September to go to school full-time. My income, however, has no impact on my ability to get a loan. It takes my university about two weeks to process one.

That's what I thought. I don't see how what you made *last year* has any impact on the current year. If you aren't employed, you don't have an income.

That's what I thought. I don't see how what you made *last year* has any impact on the current year. If you aren't employed, you don't have an income.

you are confusing two issues

1) she can't get a LOAN because her credit is bad

2) she can't get FINANCIAL AID because it is based on last year's income tax returns

believe me, what she made last year has a GREAT DEAL of impact

Can you sell some things on ebay or a local place for some money? maybe a pawn shop, i know you dont get much from them, but its something. ebay usually auctions are 7 days. hope this helps! good luck!

I don't have the best credit in the world, but I got approved for a private loan from Sallie Mae w/o a co-signer......try it, got my money in a within a week!!!

According to Sallie Mae, unsubsidized Stafford loans are not need-based, nor is there a check on your credit if you apply, so past financial problems should not hurt your ability to get a loan. Good luck.

Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

Fin Aid through the school does look at the money you made last year. You can file a waiver, but not all schools will care about it.

Try for a private loan. You'd be surprised, especially if your credit problems are related to medical bills. The only kink is that you quit your job first -- it really helps to have a job when you apply.

As for finding a job in DFW -- I'm with you. There are all these openings, and the hospitals just aren't returning phone calls. I wish you the best!

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