Best Way to Supplement Income While in School

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am going to a one year lpn program in July and will be trying to work two days a week at my current job and every weekend. I don't know how this is going to go because I'm not going to have any days off at all but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

But how did everyone else get by when they were in nursing school? I have thoughts about loans and just working part time, but I have to work and still support myself. I am a single mother with a two year old and have a car payment and insurance and a few other bills that I definitely have to meet every month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am starting a 2 year BSN program in July, and I am in a similar situation. I hope to work 2-3 days a week, and I have class Mon-Fri. This will be very stressful I'm sure, but it will be worth it in the end! Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

i bartend on weekends, fri and sat, and i average 400-800 a week.

bartending pays well, so does cocktail waitressing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Move home with mom and dad -possible free daycare with grandma?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My prayers are with you!

I was a single mom of 5 until I married on 8 Sep 08. I was working FT while taking pre-reqs and they were paid for with student loans. I was laid off this past Jan, so it has been reeeeaaaallllllyyyyy tight!

I was accepted to NS to begin TODAY! :yeah: Here is what I did.... I went everywhere for financial help and called everyone I could that could help (regarding aid and scholarships).... I informed them that I was laid off and so my FAFSA was an inaccurate picture of what I could contribute. During orientation I spoke to someone in FA about worksource (a FL program) which told me I had to use my spouses GI benefits first....and the military said that is the new GI bill that doesn't start until August and I didn't know what to try next. She pointed me to militaryonesource and the Spouse Advancement Initiative which went nationwide just this month.

A week before school started, I was notified that they (militaryonesource) would pay all my tuition! A day or so later, the college called. I was given a $1000 scholarship from BCBS! Then worksource called and said they would cover everything else! WOW!

To top it all off....my employer has called to say they want me back. I don't have a start date yet.

I plan on working FT while doing the eve/we program at my CC.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Single mom's are a tough and resourceful lot. ASK! You never know what you can get!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked as a per diem nursing assistant at the local hospital. I did 24 hours a week when I could. They were flexible with my schedule. Once as the nurses knew I was a student, they gave me many opportunities to learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I'm quitting my job in about 3 weeks, but I have been putting aside cash to hold me until school is over. I also took out student loans. I plan on getting my LPN too and will be done in July 09. My goal is to work as a LPN, save and then go back for my BSN.

My mother was a single mom of twins while completing her nursing degree. Its hard but doable. She worked PRN, got on section 8, food stamps and etc.

There is help out there for single moms who are in school.

My prayers are sent to all of the single moms out there. Its hard doing nursing school with kids and double hard when you are alone raising kids while going to school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Oncology.

Research studies pay well. Some of the Phase 1 inpt studies can pay in the thousands.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work as a PRN CNA, and I mostly do nights. I get to study between midnight and 5 am, while everyone is sleeping. It works out great and pays reasonably well. I fill in the gaps with student loans

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

In today's market (few new grad jobs), getting a position with a hospital as an aide/care partner, or unit secretary that will allow you to work 1-3 days a week and give you some flexibility with scheduling around test time. Plus many hospitals have a tuition incentives after 60-90 days to help and the big clincher is that because they now have an investment in your education and know you as an employee they are more willing to hire you as a new grad nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Late stage Alzhiemer's in LTC setting..

I've been a topless dancer for the last 7 years, also a single mom of a 10 year old and I am 3/4 way done with my LPN. I work one night a week and bring in $400-500 a week. It's totally per diem, I have even managed to do most of my prereqs for my RN, and I get mostly A's. I only do bachelor parties and I only go topless (the companies I work for are great and know that I have my boundaries, so they won't send me to a party where the guys are expecting "more" than a show) I can still pay my bills, get my son to football, baseball, and get the housework done. My boyfriend HATES it, but I haven't found any other reasonable alternative for my situation until I get my LPN license. Bartending is also a great way to earn money, but you have to find a place that's hiring and to get just weekends when the most money is to be made takes time, something most of us don't have too much of. Being a full time student and a single mom is a lot of work but it will be worth it in the end to have a great job that you love!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im actaull in the same situtaion as well. I am going to begin the pre reqs for the lpn program at my local cc this July. I'm actually in a 4 week cna class right now. I'll be done by the end of may. So what I plan to do is work with an agency and try to get night work so I can study when It gets quiet and have the day to go to class. I also still have my teaching certificate so i will tutor in the evnings and weekends as well. I can at least get 20 an hour tutoring. It will be hard but worth it in the end. But being a prn CNA would be your best bet. Hope this helps good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment