Great - 9 months to go and I may have to quit...

Nursing Students General Students

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So, I have 9 more months 'til I'm a nurse and can make my own $$ and very possibly leave my alcoholic husband.

I'm really excited and hoping these last 9 months will fly by & I'll be on my way to a better life for my children and myself.

Because we have 7 kids, I've been "randomly" chosen all semesters excpet for 1 by the FAFSA people to be "reviewed" before they will approve my financial aid and loans. From what I've been told, the 7 kids issue automatically triggers a review. Its getting to be a pain in the butt and I can hardly see how its random. But, its fairly easy to get through, just extra stuff that annoys me to have to waste my time to deal with.

So, again, about 3 weeks ago I get the letter from my schools financial aid dept saying that I've been chosen for review. Big surprise there.

I gather my paperwork, tax forms, ect and drive to my school 45 mins away and stand in the darned financial aid line for over an hour. Give them my papers, ect and ask for my book voucher.

I'm told to come back in 4 weeks for my voucher, thats when my review will be processed. Ummm.....school starts in 2 days.....I have almost 400.00 in books to buy. We have assignments from day 1 of classes, I know this because we already have our day to day schedules.

Seems the school changed the way they do things and now don't give out vouchers for books (extending credit to you in the school bookstore - you sign a form saying that if financial aid doesnt come through, you owe the school $$). Thats the way its been for the 3 years I've been a student there.

So, I'm on my own. I don't have $400.00 I won't have $400.00 anytime soon.

I don't have any credit cards. I don't have family that will help. Heck, I'm getting so desperate that I would have gone and written a bad check for my books & paid the check off when my $$ came in, if my husband hadn't gotten our account closed recently. :madface:

School starts in less than 2 days!!! I have no books!!!

I called and spoke to a financial aid manager and basically, I'm just plain old S.O.L.

I'm really mad that they changed the way they handeled this with no warning at all. :angryfire

If I would have had some warning, I could have probably tucked away some money for some of the books at least.

I emailed my instructors and there isn't anything they can do to help. To make it worse, I was trying to find them used but the books I need this semester look to all be new editions, so nothing is available used at a good used price. I did find one but after shipping, it would be the same as if I got it at the bookstore.

I am soooooo discouraged. I can't think of any alternative than to drop out of the program. I can do that, but there are no guarantees that a seat will reopen for me in the program.

I know there isnt much anyone can say, I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

PLEASE don't drop!! My 1st husband left me witn 4 kids, and I had zip for job skills-went to nsg. school, "robbed Peter to pay Paul" most of the way through, and the last yr., lived on grants, scholorships, loans. We were never living easy, but after I had my RN, I made a living wage.

Had the most encouraging of instructors during school. You've been given some great ideas to use to continue your schooling.

Keep moving forward, stay in school, "look under every stone" to resolve the book issue. Keep a positive attitude!

To quote Gen. Colin Powell : " It CAN be done!"

Let me know how you are doing. I care.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

Dare I say it..but I think I would pay a visit to barnes and nobles and ask to speak with the manager. I'm not one for confrontation, but nothing would let me stand in the way of getting that nursing degree!

I think I would explain the situation to the manager, how by not allowing the vouchers, that he is hindering your education. Ask him if there is anything he is able to do. Chances are..he might do something and help you out :) I would make sure to bring your required book list and school ID with you though, and perhaps a copy of your grades. Explain you are a good student when you have your textbooks, and you are very worried this year.

Its just a throught, but it might work!

I checked my stash of books too - but unfortunantly I dont have any of those..

Good luck with nursing school and dont let this stand in the way of achieving your dream!

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.
Well, okay....feel kind of funny about it.....

Introductory Medical Surgical Nursing (2006) - Timby & Smith 9th edition

& accompanying study guide workbook

(text used for both Phar II & Nursing II)

Broadribb's Introductory Pediatric Nursing - Hatfield (2003) 6th ed.

Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, A Guide to Planning Care -Ackley, Betty & Ladwig

(2006) 7th ed.

Physical Exam & Health Assessment Pocket Companion

Maternity Nursing, An Introductory Text - Gloria Leifer (2005) 9th ed.

A Topical Approach to Life-span Development - Santrock, 2nd or 3rd edition

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thankfully, we re reusing most of our books from last semester for Pharm II and a bit for Nursing II.

The ones in bold are the ones I need immediately. I did purchase my nurses kit today for lab tomorrow, so thats $61.00 to cross off my list.

Stephanie,

Unfortunately I don't have any of the major required texts you need, but I do have the (2002) 6th edition of the Ackley/Ladwig diagnosis handbook. You are more than welcome to it & I'd be happy to cover all costs of getting it to you. If you're interested, just pm me your info & I'll get it out ASAP.

Please don't give up...been there, done that...pretty much for the same reasons you have. A crappy marriage, lack of finances, & too many of lifes little road blocks. It has taken me 23 years & 4 attempts to realize my life long dream, but I refused to give it up & just had my pinning on the 11th. My ex couldn't bring me to my knees & neither did nursing school! Please hang in there & remember "where there's a will, there's a way!" You & your kids are in my prayers!

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Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

Is this the one you need?

Broadribb's Introductory Pediatric Nursing - Hatfield (2003) 6th ed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Broadribbs-Introductory-Pediatric-Nursing-by-Nancy_W0QQitemZ150024440740QQihZ005QQcategoryZ2228QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(please nobody bid on the item - I'm waiting to hear back from the seller)...

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Specializes in CWOCN.

Most textbooks come with a website. Most of the websites I had either had free access with purchase of the book or unlimited access for $10.00.

Hang in there.

When I was raising my kids, I hocked many things in order to have the basics for the family.

Don't be shy about calling everyone at the school until you get your needs met. The professors usually get free copies of new textbooks, ask for an old textbook.

You have to fight for everything you need. Get used to it for now, and realize one day this will all be behind you.

Remember, you only need to focus on what you have to get right now. The financial aid will come through, but in the meantime, just keep asking for what you need. Someone will help you.

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Specializes in LDRP.

Here is another thought--

Are you involved in a church/synagoge/mosque/etc--or is your family? You could put the word out there (just speak with a pastor/priest/rabbi/etc and let him know your situation) and I KNOW you could get some funds to help cover books.

I have had to do that. Many churches will help people without embarrassing them. (I have been on both sides both as a preacher's kid and also as someone in need.)

Anyway, just another thought.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Call Center RN.

Is this the OB book you need? I couldn't find a 9th edition. I will get this one for you if you pm me with your address. If you want it. I had someone help me out in order to finish nursing school and I would love to be able to do the same for you.

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I'm a fellow student and a member of the Mississippi Nursing Association. Just today I got an email offering me 10% all nursing texts through Barnes and Noble. I'm sure we can figure a way for you to use my discount if this would help. PM me if this would help you.

Do you live near a Barnes and Noble? If they stock the nursing textbooks you could use B&N as you would a library. Just go on in, sit in a fluffy chair and read 'til your heart's content. I understand this could be non-optimal having seven kids, but it could work short term perhaps.

I liked the suggestion about borrowing the books from a classmate and making photocopies of the material you need for the week.

I forgot what all books you needed, but I have a 2nd edition of Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests by Pagana & Pagana. I also have a nurses med deck (ninth edition) that you can have if you need it. I can send it to you free of charge. Just let me know. Sadly, my husband and I sold the majority of our older textbooks through half.com recently.

Have you considered entering into a contract with an area hospital? Many have programs that will pay your tuituion, books and a monthly stipend if you agree to work for them for a period of time after graduation. I know our state psych hospital has a program that will pay you over 1k a month during school and free state benefits and in return you work for them for two years. This might not solve the textbook problem since you need them quickly, but it could help you out for the rest of the time you're in school. Just make sure it's a place you would want to work at.

Please let us know how this works out for you, a lot of us care.

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Make sure and ask the instructors which nursing books you will need in the next couple of weeks. Just because you have a lot of books does not mean that you will use them all at the same time.

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I would like to help also. I have not yet been accepted to a nursing program, but feel that you should not drop out. You have nine months left and then you will be able to make a better life for you and your children. Please let me know what book you are in desperate need of and where I can send it too.

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Is there anyway you can list the books you need on an Amazon.com wish list? That way your address info can be kept on the site and as people are able to purchase the books you need, they will be taken off your wish list so you won't receive any duplicates. Also, if you have a Paypal account or PM me your home address I will help you all I can- I don't have much money but I was helped out in nursing school too, I would not have graduated without accepting the help and I would love to pass that help along!!!

Lori

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