Facility closing....pregnant...freaking out!

[rierie]

Okay tonight I found out that the facility I am working in South Texas will be closing it's doors within 2 weeks. We never recieved our permit from the state and have been unable to bill for services to inpatients since opening in the spring of 2007. It was no ones fault but the employees are reeling. I am 5 months pregnant with my first child. I live with a boyfriend who is supportive no matter what happens but he is a police officer and makes less than $25,000/yr. We can't make it on his income alone. The last day of work I will lose my insurance. I refuse to get married only to have health insurance but I need insurance obviously. I have used all my PTO on the holidays to spend with my family expecting to use my sick time for maternity leave in May. I will lose all of my sick time (3 months worth). There will be no severence pay and they are not required to give any since we have so less than 100 employees and since it is a new facility. I may be able to transfer to another facility with this company but that means leaving school. I would be starting RN (LVN-RN transition) school in the fall after having the baby. Now all that may change.

Do I take a transfer in the same company that is having financial difficulty to keep my sick time while moving to North Dallas hours from where I currently live? I used to live there and I miss it so much but would that be a bad idea? Do I apply for government assistance (food stamps, WIC, unemployment) and stay in Corpus Christi to finish school? If so where do I start??? I have always had a job since the age of 15 if not 2 jobs. I have no clue how to "work the system" although people here seem to be quite good at it. Do I move home with Mom (uuuuugggggg!) to Colorado and change my license over just to work in a nursing home or LTC? Do I just suck it up and take any other job? I am an LVN with 11+ years of hospital experience. I don't think I can settle for just any job... I am in South Texas and the employment opportunities for nurses here flat out sucks to put it bluntly. Most employers here have high turn over rate for good reason. I really was wanting to finish school and move on with my life. I am unable to qualify for any loans this semester. Can I redo my paperwork and qualify for grants this semester? I will qualify for much more in the fall but I know we can't hold out until then. We have nothing for the baby yet. This was just so unexpected. I'm not sure what to do. My head is spinning. Thanks so much for your support. I love coming here to read everyone's advice and help when I can. Please respond with anything helpful... I know this may be a blessing in disguise and I'm trying to keep my spirits high but I hope the blessing reveals itself soon!

Freaking out in TX