Homeless

[artistnurse]

I know there have been tons of posts on this subject, so what's one more...I've asked everyone who would know, I suppose so I don't expect a solution..Therefore, this will just be an exhale.

I have actually thought about living out of my car during nursing school, lol!!!

I do believe I will be approved for a Stafford loan which won't even touch living expenses. The financial aid counselor has basically told me that's all they can do, which is really disappointing since she's been telling me not to worry, they understand the financial issues with nursing students. Had I known that's all they could do ahead of time, I could have been preparing better financially for this. I've been keeping in contact with them from early on, because I want to try to be prepared for almost every obstacle. I've applied for scholarships, which are not guaranteed. I do not have a cosigner, and no one to move in with.

I start at the end of this month, which is really stressing me out. I just think it's sad that the financial aid office cannot help any more than what they've told me.

[Jules A, MSN]

I would find a couple of roommates and work rather than living in my car. Good luck to you.

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

I agree with Jules, with the price of gas these days you really might as well chip in with rent. I would even consider selling the car and using public transportation. When you graduate, pass the NCLEX celebrate with a shiney new car !

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

A lot of people were in the same boat as you during nursing school, and some didn't get ANY financial aid.

1. Get as many roommates that can stand to live together and split the rent.

2. Sell the car, get rid of your car insurance, and take the bus.

3. Make a list of necessities, and a list of luxuries. Buy your necessities with coupons, and splurge on a luxury now and then.

4. Forget eating out. Plan inexpensive meals. (read: ramen)

5. Get at least a part time job. You can make the time to work.

Good Luck!

[*LadyJane*]

Look at the live-in help wanted ads. I was in the exact situation as you some years ago. I applied for a job as a live in cook for an elderly gentleman and got it. All I had to do was make his fresh carrot/apple/celery juice and then clean the juicer each morning and start his oatmeal, then whenI got home from school make a simple dinner 4-5x per week. Other than that, I just did the dishes for him and myself after dinner each night, and kept a large mixed salad inthe fridge, as well as make a couple pots of easy homemade soup each week.

It was an EASY job, as I would do this for myself anyway. He did the grocery shopping, I created the menus (within his easy guidelines) and I just swept the kitchen floor daily. He had a maid who came every 2 weeks and so I never had to clean anything, except for keep the kitchen tidy. The maid even cleaned MY room and did MY laundry!:redbeathe

He liked having a cook who was gone every day (except weekends), I liked having an easy job. He personally was an old engineer and rather crotchety and nit picky, but I had a nice suite of my own, all the time I wanted to study, never had to buy my own food, and he liked that I had a year of nursing school.... and I did wind up taking him to the hospital once while I lived there. He ended up appreciating me very much, and was very sad to see me go.

Check out a live in cook type scenario, or even put in an ad. Lots of folks would love to have someone cook for them, as they don't have the energy or whatever to do it. BTW, this situation was in a VERY nice home in Brentwood, CA. I hope you can get something like this. It was perfect.

[Jules A, MSN]

Look at the live-in help wanted ads. I was in the exact situation as you some years ago. I applied for a job as a live in cook for an elderly gentleman and got it. All I had to do was make his fresh carrot/apple/celery juice and then clean the juicer each morning and start his oatmeal, then whenI got home from school make a simple dinner 4-5x per week. Other than that, I just did the dishes for him and myself after dinner each night, and kept a large mixed salad inthe fridge, as well as make a couple pots of easy homemade soup each week.

It was an EASY job, as I would do this for myself anyway. He did the grocery shopping, I created the menus (within his easy guidelines) and I just swept the kitchen floor daily. He had a maid who came every 2 weeks and so I never had to clean anything, except for keep the kitchen tidy. The maid even cleaned MY room and did MY laundry!:redbeathe

He liked having a cook who was gone every day (except weekends), I liked having an easy job. He personally was an old engineer and rather crotchety and nit picky, but I had a nice suite of my own, all the time I wanted to study, never had to buy my own food, and he liked that I had a year of nursing school.... and I did wind up taking him to the hospital once while I lived there. He ended up appreciating me very much, and was very sad to see me go.

Check out a live in cook type scenario, or even put in an ad. Lots of folks would love to have someone cook for them, as they don't have the energy or whatever to do it. BTW, this situation was in a VERY nice home in Brentwood, CA. I hope you can get something like this. It was perfect.

LadyJane, you are a genius! I'm not even in school fulltime anymore but now I wish I was, what a great set-up.

[Fermin Hernandez, ADN, ASN, RN]

In my small town, a car is a must for out of town clinicals - or carpooling. Don't forget about the gas and good luck!

Just remember to not let your socioeconomic status define you. I once lived out of a tent for a month. The key to climbing out is to plan your route out and then enact on the plan. Lady Jane has an awesome idea.

[Agrippa]

also try looking at http://www.care.com. Some people who need nannies/caretakers for their children will offer live in options. Im sure that your aspirations as a nurse would also be a huge plus. Good luck. I can relate to what you're going through. A lot of people in my family including myself, are going through some financial difficulties. I had to sell my car and now drive a beater with over 150k miles to save money. I hope this thing lasts!

[kcochrane]

Another idea is look for a job where someone works nights and needs someone to stay at their house at night to watch the kids. The RN I work with hired college students to watch her kids at night when she worked. You work for room and board only.

[missjennmb]

my school doesnt "allow" us to take out loans, so I'm in a bit of a bind as well, but I do have my housing covered. I'm sorry that you're going through such a tough time, but just keep your eye on the prize at the other end of the road. Maybe you could rent a room next to the campus somewhere? Atleast that would save you gas even if you still needed a car for clinicals (here our clinicals are all over the map because we're in a small town so no car would not work)

[dpain]

Have you ever applied for JTPA (workforce) in your area. In most cases they will help pay your tuition, testing (nclex),and offer gas vouchers

[SNIXRN]

you could try to be a live-in nanny.