Soooo... Are you at a disadvantage at NS? I think I am.

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in Case Manager.

I'll be starting the nursing program for my school next week. I have all my supplies, books, and things that I need... but I'm at a considerable disadvantage seeing as I don't have a car or a job right now.

I hear about people that work 40 hours a week or more, but I just don't see how you can do that unless you're "working" at a job that allows you to sit down, read, or use the internet freely. I know most certainly that I couldn't work a retail job 40 hours, heck, not even 30 hours and still pass school.

Having a reliable way to school and the clinical sites is going to be a MAJOR problem for me. I don't know if my classmates would be willing to give me rides to and from the clinical sites and I fear that once I run out of money for public transportation, I'm going to fail due to attendance.

I guess this is more of a rant than anything and I had to get it out before it sat on my mind too long.

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Yeah you will definitely need a dependable ride. You don't want to have to depend on someone to give you a ride to school 4 days out of the week because they will start acting funny trust me. What about your parents or boyfriend? Also some people say that not working while going to nursing school is a good idea. Well, that's their opinion. As for me I live on my own and have to pay all of my own bills so I have no choice but to work full time. But, it all depends on what you are able to do and what you feel comfortable doing. Your education is an investment so don't let anyone discourage you.

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Wow, my heart goes out to you. How far away from school is your home? Maybe you can carpool with some other students who are going to school that day. You may just have to be there all day type stuff. Also, you may be able to find a job on campus since you'll be there.

All you can do is what you can do. Put yourself out there and I'm sure some of the students can help you to clinicals. Above all though, know that YOU CAN DO IT! You've already come this far right? :up:

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Specializes in ER.

You may have a slight advantage by NOT working as much. Make the best of the situation. Study hard with your free time. Work part time if you can. Buy a CHEAP car....older Hondas, Subarus, Toyotas and Nissans make reliable cars....even if they have 150K miles. Find something for $1000 if you can swing it. If not, get a PT job and save.

Make it happen if this is what you want to do! If you've made it this far, you are determined and hard working! Keep your head up and go for it!

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At my school at least we all meet on campus and go to clinicals together so we dont clutter up the already jammed paring lot with a million cars. You may be able to just ride with your clinical group. Try to get a part time job to help out with bills. While the stress of working may get to you at least it wont keep you up at night like worrying about bills would.

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Didn't you take into consideration the cost of transportation when you figured out your budget for school? You have to attend class and clinicals, so if that means picking up a part time job to help pay for transportation, then that's what you have to do. Or take out a personal loan or additional student loans to help pay if you're afraid getting a job may hinder your study time to the point of failing. Public transportation costs money, but so does getting a ride with classmates (offering to chip in gas money will keep those kind classmates happily driving you to class). Public transportation would be a lot more reliable, though!

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Specializes in Case Manager.

Yeah thanks for the replies guys...

And BTW, I am a single MALE lol... I also am financially independent for the most part and pay all my own expenses. My parents don't provide much financial support.

As far as the location, the school is about a 5-10 drive by car/bus and about an hour to walk there. The hospital I'll be doing clinicals at THIS semester is literally right across the parking lot from school... but as far as the rehab centers, psych wards, etc... they can be up to an hour away in a car so...

I mean, it's been like this since I've been going to school so I'm used to not having all the materials or means as other students, but I still outperform all my classmates that have a lot more support than I do...

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Sorry man, I think a lot of us here (myself included) assume everyone one posting is a chick until informed otherwise.

For the clinicals that are like an hour away I'm 99% sure your preceptor will ask you to drive together, otherwise 1/2 through the semester the whole class with be complaining about how much gas etc they are using. Hopefully someone will carpool with you!

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And BTW, I am a single MALE lol... quote]

O I meant girlfriend then rofl. And that also means you're not going to nursing school you're going to mursing school. I crack myself up lol

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Specializes in Case Manager.

I think being a male will give me a slight advantage as far as social networking in the class goes.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I think most students are at a disadvantage in some way. Some have kids and families they need to take care of, some need to work to pay the bills, some have learning disabilities, some are english-second-language..

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Get a bike AND helmet. You can get a super cheap deal on CL.

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