Desperate !!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

If there is anyone with any advice PLEASE advise me. I am currently in my last semester of school with a solid B. My last available to withdraw from school is October 13. If I withdraw now there is no assuarance that I may be able to return to my program if I withdraw since I withdrew once before during my 2nd semester. With that being said this is my situation. Im just about too ashamed to tell anyone. I am over the limit for financial aid. It has been a struggle for me to keep my grades up so during the third semester I quit my job, I absolutely had to make a choice and I probably made the wrong choice by choosing school. Well long story short my bills are paid up until the end of this month, at which point I will be homeless. My situation is so bad that one of my class mates has been giving me gas money just so I can make it to class and clinicals. Ive lost 20 lbs since the beginning of the semester because I basically eat crackers and potatoes and take vitamins. I have gone to apply for any type of aid but because I dont have kids i basically cant get anything. I spent every dime to my name to pat the last semesters tuition and books. I attempted to apply for a loan but because I dont have a job the bank wont give me one. My family is not such that I can go stay with someone. Can anyone just give me some sound advice. I thought about withdrawing and just going back to work and reapply in a year or so when my situation is better or doing something else all together that would allow me to work and go to school. My absolute passion is nursing. I think that just trying to make it until December in this situation will be to my demise ! Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you all for taking the time to read this long vent.

Specializes in peds, OB/L&D, ER and peds ER.

Hi There---this idea may be of help; see what you can find at these websites: http://www.mygovernmentgrants.com, http://www.nextstudent.com, http://www.findtuition.com, http://www.freegovmoney.net, http://www.usagovernmentgrants.org. There IS free money out there and you can go after it. The social worker at any hospital can assist you with applying for welfare if you decide to go that way. Laurie Blum's website is quite useful, too. She's written books on free monies for just about anything you could imagine---even rent, utilities etc. Don't give up if you really love this profession. No matter how the world goes, politics etc., we will always need you if you're a nurse. You can't beat marketability like that w/ a stick! Talk to any college grad who can't get hired because he/she doesn't know how to DO anything society needs. And as Joseph Campbell wrote "Follow your bliss!"

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Please speak to your Academic Advisors before you act!! You are in your last semester, and from what you are saying, your grades are good. They may have options that you may not have considered. I do understand your plight, and if worse comes to worse, you do have to eat and you do need shelter (remember Maslow) before self actualization. But, see what may happen at your school. I'd at least want to see what choices are available before I throw in the towel...but I would not think badly of you if you had to for the moment.

as the saying goes- "if there's a will, there's a way"... financial problems is not a hindrance to success. don't lost hope. keep looking up, God is always there! as he promised, before we will ask from him,he knows our needs! what a promise!just take one step at a time and you will be there!keep it up!

Specializes in PMHNP.

Just out of curiosity.....do those companies that offer package deals to get government assistance really work? Anyone out there have any sucess with them?

Specializes in PMHNP.
Hi There---this idea may be of help; see what you can find at these websites: http://www.mygovernmentgrants.com, http://www.nextstudent.com, http://www.findtuition.com, http://www.freegovmoney.net, http://www.usagovernmentgrants.org. There IS free money out there and you can go after it. The social worker at any hospital can assist you with applying for welfare if you decide to go that way. Laurie Blum's website is quite useful, too. She's written books on free monies for just about anything you could imagine---even rent, utilities etc. Don't give up if you really love this profession. No matter how the world goes, politics etc., we will always need you if you're a nurse. You can't beat marketability like that w/ a stick! Talk to any college grad who can't get hired because he/she doesn't know how to DO anything society needs. And as Joseph Campbell wrote "Follow your bliss!"

Just out of curiousity.....do those companies that offer package deals to get you government assistance actually work? Anyone out there have any success with them?

Specializes in PMHNP.

Whoops! Sorry for the double post! I tried to edit, but......you know how it goes. :crash_com

I don't know where you live, but where I work we have live-in's and all they need to give back for their room and board is 15 hours per week to help the deaf and blind students get ready for school.

Perhaps there is a residential school program near you that would help you with a place to stay and more than crackers to eat.

I'd stay with school if at all possible.

Best of luck to you.

If you have a strong B average, then your program is going to do whatever it can to keep you. Go to student aid, go to your Dean of Students, go to the nursing instructor that you like the best, go to the program director of the nursing program. I'd sleep in the library before I'd withdraw with only one semester to go! Get welfare: you don't have a job, so you will qualify. Get a job at McDonalds. Is there a YWCA around? Show them the information & they may allow you to stay & do work around there. Homeless shelters can help you too. You can always work at the college too: there's usually a position in the cafeteria that needs to be filled & lots of times they let you eat for free. Look on the bulletin board & see if someone is looking for a roommate. Maybe a nursing school student will let you move in with them. How about your friends in nursing school? You'll make it: it's only 12 weeks to the finish line!!!

Specializes in 6 mos. of LVN, 10 Yrs caring for Mom.

Hey Desperate!

I'm deserate too. Really, I just posted as such. I'm single, older, no kids or anything. But I do have those financial woes. I am seriously considering a roommate. Has anybody ever tried that? Like I said, "I'm getting really worried. Gotta come up with something.

Litenurse

Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

Have you talked to your local United Way? They may be able to give you some direction/advice about housing and food, or point you in the direction of a local church or group that may be able to provide assistance.

Also, have you talked with your Clinical Instructors and/or your College Advisor? If you are doing well in school they know what your study and work ethics are, better than anyone. Perhaps they can be of assistance? As bad as things may seem, you likely aren't the first student that they have seen in financial straits.

God bless your classmate for loaning you money. You should try to eat at least one substantial meal a day, if at all possible. Most brands of Ramen noodles have about 10 grams of protein in them, and some places you can get them for about 9-14 cents a pack.

Take care!

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