How are you supporting yourself through school?

Nursing Students General Students

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Thank you all for your responses to the "How did you pick your school" thread, I greatly appreciate them and am learning a lot about the opportunities that are out there.

I am now also wondering how you are supporting yourself through school?

I know everyone has different situations but I am concerned about being able to make ends meet while I'm in school. I am thinking that living by myself, paying a car loan and a past school loan, rent, food and misc. while working part time at McDonalds is not going to happen.

What have you all done to make ends meet until you could become a nurse?

I'm thinking that I might have to wait a few years until I can save up some money to live off of but I really want to go to school ASAP and get out of DC.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

It's very hard but you have to sacrifice for what you want I have four children My husband works fulltime I had to stop working to go to school. It has been a challenge ever since I did pick up a position as a nurse extern but I only work when I get the time. I now out for summer break so I plan to work as many hours as I can to save money for the fall semester but this will be my last semester. Student loans have really helped but where there's a will there's a way. you can do it. Good Luck to everyone!

Specializes in Adult M/S.

I was just offered and accepted a part time (20hrs/wk) job working with a medical ethicist at Children's Hospital. It looks like a really cool job. She reviews all the patient research protocols and I'll be supporting her so will see what research is going on :cool:. I've also signed on the dotted line for $18,000 :eek: in loans for the next year. I figure this is what I want to do and I am going to do it and trust that I'll be able to pay off the loans. If I can't, well, then I've made yet another mistake in a mistake filled life :chuckle

I work as a CNA four days a week,12 hour shifts.The nurses are so suportive and help me with my homework when I need it.I've also stock up on toiletries and other personal suppllies once a mounth from Sams club.I also cut coupons and use genaric brands when ever possible.I also look at all the sales papers of all the grocery stores and only buy what meats, veggies,and fruits are on sale.Its somewhat of a pain to have to shop at more then one grocery store,but it does save a ton on the grocery bill.To save on gas I car pool to work and school with a friend.One week she drives the next week I drive.I also try to work an extra shift once a mounth and put the over time in the bank for emergancies.I also pack my little girls lunch during school instead of her buying lunch.

The hospital I work for is paying for my schooling.I did have to sign a contract with them saying I would work for them for three years after I got my degree.It didn't bother me to sign this because I really like the people there and if it wasn't for this I'm not sure what I would do.

Yes it takes some sacrifice to get through school,but it is so worth it.I know its hard but just keep remembering it isn't forever.

For the first few years of school I worked as a nurses aid at the local children's hospital, working nights. It gave me plenty of time to study but no time to sleep. When it was time to start clinicals, I found myself up for 56 hours straight. This was on a consistant basis. I had to quit that job and find another in order to keep my sanity. I then began working as a pharmacy tech. I paid $15 to register with the state and not all states require you to take the certification courses. Needless to say I know my meds. I really helped me in school, even if I didn't know exactly what the med was I at least had a clue and could go from there. Normally pharmacy's are pretty good about working around student's schedule (at least from what I've found) Typically because there are also pre pharmacy students trying to get experience also.

Good luck, I'm sure you can do it.

Hi :)

I'm a single mom, in my last few weeks of LPN school. I lost my very good job I had last April and decided I was SICK & TIRED of working, working, working and then BOOM... no job - no prospects. So... here I am. As a single mommy, I was eligible for grants, scholarhips, etc. God has blessed me TREMENDOUSLY! I have almost finished school and I've managed to do it on my own. I get $65 per week child support and that's what we live on. I applied for public assistance (food stamps) but was turned down twice because I chose to go to school and not work and my car is a 1997 model :confused: If I chose to stay at home and do nothing but eat bon bons and watch soaps, I could get any kind of assitance in the world. But because I'm trying to do better, I'm on my own. The healthy tax refunds have also helped a lot. I don't really have a lot of bills, I knew I was going to go back to school one day, so I had to get out of debt. I'm glad I did. I don't regret it one lil bit! I start in August taking my pre-req's for RN... now that I know I can do it.... I may never stop going to school! :D

Good luck to all of you...

Wow, it sounds like some of you are really in a pickle about finances and school....I'm a single mom trying to finish up my last semester, and I've been blessed enough to have ample student loans to pay my tuition, books and all of my living expenses....at first I was overwhelmed by how much I'd have to pay back, but half of my loan will be paid by the government once I finish in Dec. I've never been in a predicament over $$$ and school...I guess all I can say is that you want it bad enough, and you'll work your butt off to get it one way or another...I certainly would have done anything to make this happen for myself and my son :wink2:

Poorly :)

I feel very fortunate that I have a hubby who can help put me through school. I work part time now, and a portion of each pay cheque goes to my "school" account.

I am very lucky that I wont have to work while in school, I want to be able to focus.

Best of luck to everyone.

You will have to act quickly as time is running out. In fact, you need to call today 1-866-867-6856. Actually, make the call and then read the rest of this post. The 21st is the deadline to request a packet. June 30th is the deadline to submit your packet.

This is a need based grant. It will pay tuition and fees PLUS a stipend up to $1,098.00 PER MONTH. I could almost quit working if it weren't for the need for health insurance. But I will be able to go to part time now.

Good Luck. Now go apply.

Peace, Love and Tranquillity!

Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

I was in what most would consider to be a hopeless situation when I began nursing school. i have no family to rely on, my student loan from many moons ago was in default, and I had a low end office clerking job.

I did it like this:

I changed what I felt like I needed to get by. Because I couldn't receive help from the government or from anyone I knew, I decided that I really didn't need a car. So I sold it. It wasnt worth much to begin with, but at least now I wouldnt have to worry about gas and insurance and tickets. I moved close to the school into a very cheap and shabby apartment, and when I couldn't afford to take the bus, I walked the three miles there and back. I worked part time between 24 and 30 hours and tried to work less during finals. I went during the summer to finish quicker. I stopped buying food that was expensive. it got to be a joke to some of my friends about all the diferent ways i could cook lentils.

Now I am in my last semester. I graduate August 7. I have a very supportive boyfriend now, who is working hard and living with me and helps me in amazing ways, but when I started i didn't have that and I still pushed for my dream to come true. You can do it, if you really want it. I have a job lined up at the hospital I work in now, as a student nurse which will start me off at 50k a year. It's in a field I love and I feel as though every day when I work it is a privelege to be there. It is worth every sacrifice I made.

I wish you all the best.

Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

oh, and I should add, I went to the cheapest school I could find. Houston Community College. Tuition was between $400-500 a semester. The books I bought online used. The uniform was a big bite out of me, but I was able to find white shoes for a dollar at a thrift store. Anything can be done, if you set your mind to it and refuse to be overwhelmed by the insurmountable odds that seem to lurk in every corner.

xx

geek

Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.

You are now officially my new idol. Can I please put you on a pedestal now?:p Seriously girl, you rock!

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