Career Change Sounds Great But What About Paying For It?

runsalot · May 26, 2013

Hello

I was a it analyst for years before I took the plunge. But it works out. I live frugally. I paid off bills before starting school full time and I work part time now. Love it.

So glad I took the plunge.

sunbaby0811 · May 26, 2013

You're writing my life story. I have been doing pre-requisite classes for 2 years and all the while saving like my life depended on it. I have enough saved to pay cash for tuition plus fill the gaps for what my DH's paycheck won't cover if I (god willing) get accepted into the program for this fall. I do plan to work as a tech but not right away... Anyway, life is too short to be miserable. If you have the heart and head for it - go for it!! That's what I'm doing at least :) best of luck to you!!

MommaBear08 · May 26, 2013

Life is to short take the plunge! you might as well enjoy what you do for a living right!!

readyforachangenow · May 26, 2013

I am in the same boat! It's scary to think about but I keep telling myself it will be worth it.

WideOpenHeart · May 26, 2013

I am a web developer. I was financially devastated (not important why) in my last year of preparing financially for nursing school. (i.e. this is a long-term goal I've worked toward financially since 2009, only to be wiped out on the home stretch)

To get my RN ANYWAY, I have had to move in with family (in my forties, no less), and I will continue working part-time through an LPN program which is known for being a "killer," since in my state LPNs' scope of practice is only limited by the facility within which they work. In short, they try to prepare you for everything you're likely to encounter on the floor, just as if you were getting your RN.

Then, after I graduate, I will complete some major science pre-requisites (some of which are repeats of expired credits) while getting one year of LPN experience under my belt.

At that point, I will be qualified to bridge to my BSN-RN in a program designed for working LPNs. (It requires one year of working experience prior to beginning classes.)

It is going to take me 3 years, at least (the first two of which I will be poor, poor, poor, and the last two of which I may be working for less than any job has ever paid me since I got my first degree many moons ago).

Doing my RN this way, rather than completing pre-reqs and going straight through an ABSN program is the only way I can afford to do this. Thanks be to G-d, my tribe has a scholarship program that will pay for most of the tuition and books for both programs. It just isn't designed to work with nontraditional programs (like an accelerated program).

I will probably live with this family member as an empty-nest adult who has had my own home since I was 20, until all of this is complete, so that my dear little doggie will not be lonely while I am gone for long periods of time, and so I can continue to dig out of the financial mess a "perfect storm" created for me this past year.

All this is to say, I have opportunities, for which I am very grateful (SO grateful), such as scholarship opportunities through my tribe and a family member who has invited me into her home.

At the same time, I'm giving up my last few years before menopause to a life that will include no dating (I'm a widow), no home of my own (which is a big deal to someone at my place in life), some pride, and a lot of earning power, to make this dream come true.

I would say that my story is not unique; read a lot on this site before you decide to commit. No matter your situation, becoming an RN WILL cost you a lot - of money, time, etc.

But if it is truly your vocation, I really think you will find a way to make it happen.

lauraline · May 26, 2013

I am making a big career change as well. I used to make decent pay, enough to afford my own car, home, and wedding here in CA. But my job was not what I wanted my future to be.

I went back to school full-time and I try to work part-time but the income is measly and barely covers anything. Luckily my husband works full-time, and we don't have children yet. However, we definitely feel the pinch financially. As a result, we haven't been able to afford basic home repairs. Our bathroom still looks like a disgusting wreck from the 70s. I am pretty sure we have mosquito breeding grounds in the yard due to a water drainage issue. And we put off buying some furniture, so our $5 ikea coffee table is our dining table. I know these are probably just aesthetic things, but it sure drives me nuts and I can't wait to finally have a real job again!

The worst part is, my not having a job at the moment is putting stress on my whole family. My husband is always looking for overtime, and he's so exhausted all the time. My parents are super worried that something will happen that they will need to bail me out financially, so as a result they decided to put off their own retirement and needs. Makes me feel guilty sometimes.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 26, 2013

My situation is similar, but a little different. I had a 17 year career and was laid off last May. I had always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but never had the chance. Getting laid off was the impetus I needed to finally pursue my dream. I'm paying for nursing school out of my savings. Unfortunately, I'm in that fine line where I don't qualify for financial aid, but my husband doesn't make enough on his salary to be able to afford school out-of-pocket.

We had a long talk and here's our plan. I'm using my savings to pay for the first year of nursing school. After the 1st year, I can sit for the NCLEX-PN and work as an LPN part time while I finish my last year of nursing school. I'm going to complete an ADN-to-BSN program that's designed for nurses to work full time. Since I'm already working on courses towards the BSN in the summers, I'll only need 8 classes to finish the BSN once I'm done with the ADN.

It's a LOT of work up front, but I think it'll be worth it in the long run. I'm no spring chicken (43), so I need to be able to get back in to the work force to make up for all the time off I've had. I hate depleting so much of my savings, but I just don't want to get into tons of student loans that will take forever to pay back!

Best of luck to you! It's scary changing careers, but I'm so happy doing something I love

MrsStudentNurse · May 27, 2013

There are part time/evening nursing programs. Also not sure your income but fafsa may help some? Community colleges are pretty cheap. Maybe go that route at least for pre reqs and obtain some sort of scholarship for university.

dt70 · May 27, 2013

I left IT after 15 years. My company closed, actually. I decided not to pursue another job in IT.

If you don't have above a 2 year degree, and was unemployed last year, try for a pell grant.

Stafford should be 9,500 but requires you take atleast 6 credits a semester.

I reccomend a comunity college and graduate with ADN, nursing. Don't transfer to four year.

Work your but off after associate degree finding a job, then do rn-bsn online.

Use book rental service for anatomy, chemistry, psychology, etc. Wait till the nursing classes to purchase books for your shelf.

Whatawaste · May 27, 2013

Working while doing prerequisites and going to nursing school isn't impossible. As others have said, just go to a community college and take evening classes. If you quit the IT job, you can probably find a part time gig, something flexible to keep some money flowing so that you don't go completely broke.