F/T nursing school/program & NO work

Nurses General Nursing

Published

i have no idea how to title this thread, so if any of you have better suggestions, please let me know.

q:

for those of you who attended nursing school full-time, and did not work, how were you able to survive or make it financially as far as your income went? how long was your program & how did you possibly pay your bills?

i'm not worried about tuition...i'm terrified about having an income while going to nursing school full-time. i know that you *can* possibly work, but i don't want to just "barely get by" and be so stressed out that i am burnt and not really absorbing nursing as a whole.

i hear people saying that they have gotten loans etc. however, my credit is awful due to a terrible ex-boyfriend. ugh. i would need a supplemental income of $1,000 (absolute maximum) per month..for up to 30 months (to finish adn). so basically, i would need $30,000. i would barely scratch by..but it would definitely be possible.

i'm wondering if i apply for financial aid, and my program tuition is paid for, if i would be able to take out a seperate loan to cover the cost of living. i am soooooooo stressed out about this. if i were majoring in something else, i might not be..but this is nursing...it's no joke. :uhoh21:

Hi,

Try looking online for nursing scholarships. I know they can be pain in the butt to apply, but try ones that are interesteing and see where that goes. It is very rare that someone will not have to take out loans during nursing school. I only took out a small portion to pay my biggest bill...my car for the 4mths per semester. Family and friends play a huge role in financial assistance at this point. If you have someone that really trusts you, and you sign all sorts of promissory notes, try and see if someone can co-sign being your "credit is awful." Also, the Stafford Loans can give some money depending on if you are a dependent or not, amount of credits you already have and a need-base. I tutor little kids after classes for 8hrs/wk and about $180/wk and I also work at the hospital for 8hrs/wk (time sparing). They offer a nursing student position to shadow a nurse and thank God it pays. So i end up bringing home about $900/ mth (minimum) and all of it based on my availablity. You just have to research your options with the least amount of stress.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay so I understand that you don't want to have to work while going to school, but I have found that at least working a part-time job helps me to be more productive with the time I have available. I am able to sit down and focus on what needs to be done and to get ahead on assignments if possible. I have to say I was the worlds worst procrastinator until I felt the pressure of having an exam or project due and having to go to work. Too much stress can be overwhelming however this seemed to be enough to keep me motivated to stay ahead and to get things done as soon as possible. This is not to say that it will work for all people, but it has worked for me.

Good Luck and I hope this helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

My younger sisters were able to get student loans right out of high school over the past 2-3 years. They had very little (if any) credit. However, due to the financial crisis, my parents had to co-sign their loans for the spring semester.

I have a feeling that if your credit is "awful," you're going to have to find someone to co-sign your loans for you. Just make sure to fill out a FAFSA. Also, try to apply for scholarships directly through your school. It's easier to get those scholarships than to get national ones.

I know a lot of people who either bartended or were servers at restaurants during nursing school. I also know a lot who were able to work as a unit secretary while in their program.

I've somehow managed the best of both worlds. I'll be starting my program in August. My boss is allowing me to work part-time (basically whenever I can) and I get to keep my full-time pay (and insurance benefits!)

It will all work out. You definitely need to meet with someone in the financial aid office at your school. That would be the first place I would go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
cocobella~

i am a nursing student in my second year, and i bartend.

i make 300-500 a week bartending 2 nights a week, 7.5 hours each shift.

perhaps working in a bar a few hours on the weekend could help you?

perhaps a bar in general can help me :lghmky: ;) :D

that honestly sounds awesome. do you still feel as though you have more than enough time

to complete your studies? i just don't want to be soooooo worn out that i can't even concentrate

or adhere to my studies. i'm one of those lil' daisies that needs a solid 7 hours sleep everyday.

i mean, i can definitely make it without...it's just not pretty. :dzed:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
hello! i worked at a hospital as a nurse apprentice (nap) while i was going to school. as a nap, i worked per diem, so as long as i put myself on the schedule at least 3xs per month, then that was good. it was cool cause i picked my own shifts and worked around exams and stuff. plus, it gave me experience that some other new grads did not have so it helped me land a job. good luck!

that would be awesome.....if it is available here in nyc. i'm going to have to check it out.

did a lot of other nursing students take a nap position as well? it sounds ideal.

i would absolutely love to do something like that as well.:loveya:

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

right now i have a 3.8 gpa :)

only working 1-2 days a week leaves me plenty of time for nursing school, clinicals, and studying.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
right now i have a 3.8 gpa :)

only working 1-2 days a week leaves me plenty of time for nursing school, clinicals, and studying.

you must be awesome with time management. i hate to say it...as organized as i can be..

my one vice has always been procrastination. that's why i was so adament about not working..this way i would have way more time to really focus lol.

hmmm...it looks like i need to drop a few pounds and put on some tight jeans & cowboy boots and get to bartending ;) :cheers:

however, at the ripe age of "23", i must admit..i know absolutely nothing about alcohol or mixing drinks. i know that may sound like bs..but i literally know nothing. i am not even a drinker...it tastes gross to me lol.

perhaps it's time for me to order a bartending recipe book! :D $300-400 a week is good money while going to nursing school.

btw, do you mind me asking what city you work in? that seems like what a bartender would make here in nyc. you go girl! ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you filled out a FAFSA?

Even if you don't think you will be eligible for grants, you may be eligible for federal loans -Stafford loans

This should be filled out as early as possible in the year prior to N.S.-the filing period is Jan1-June30, but the sooner you fill it out, the more money you may be get. some of the money they have is given out first-come, first-serve. Trust me, one year I filled it out in jan. and I got over half my aid in grants, whereas the year before, I only got 1 grant b/c I filled it out in june.

BUT, the federal loans also depend on your income and if this is your post-bachelor degree, as well as if your program is at a CC or university.

It also depends on your age-if you are over 24 you are eligible for a TON of grants, but this also depends on your income.

If you are under 24, you can claim yourself as "independent" from your parents and you will get grants too. (make sure they don't claim you as "dependent" on their taxes)

You can also get private loans for education, but these will have a higher interest rate, but if you cannot get money from any other source, this may be a good option instead of stressing out in N.S.

I know that if I cannot get federal loans for my N.S. b/c I will be a post-bachelor student at a CC, I will probably take out a private loan for emergency money, and I will most likely work on weekends only to help me get by.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

My husband worked while I went to school. Then I got government assistance for day care and WIC for the three girls and made it through school that way.

Now the tables are reversed kinda. Curtis lost his job and I'm the one working two jobs to keep the house we are in. We wouldn't be able to do this without me having gone to college and I'm thankful for the jobs.

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

no weight loss necessary! just put on a pretty smile, bubbly personality, and wham, you can bartend.

i live in charlotte, nc. it is a fairly large city, with a nice nightlife.

people remember you, and when they come back they will tip you more and more as they get to know you. one customer i have has a wife who is an rn, he owns a successful local business, and when he found out i was in nursing school he leaves me larger tips than before.

i only work about 15 hours a week, fri/sat nights. i cannot let myself procrastinate, or i would fail, i know it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with BSN317 almost anyone can get approved for Stafford loans. I had pretty horrible credit (and very little income) when I applied and I got over $5,000 per quarter. I had federal & state grants to pay for tuition so I basically lived off my Stafford loans and very part time work while I was in school. I didn't have a cosigner and the process was easy- talk to your financial aid counselor. The repayment plans are very flexible (repay over 10,15, 20,or 25 years at 8% fixed) and they give a 6 month grace period after graduation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in -.

Hi,

At the moment I'm living with my parents not having to pay rent, I take public transport to school and get a small allowance from the government for full time study. If I want new things (clothes, etc) I just save up..

A few years ago I was living out of home with my partner and studying full time, not working..paying rent and bills..my partner and I split everything down the middle but it was still a struggle..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment