He doesn't realize my dreams

MelodyRNurse · Jan 21, 2009

I had one like that a long time ago.

Good thing that you realize he is not good for you. You will not have room in your life for anyone who is not supportive during nursing school. You will make it work. I agree with some of the other posters if you can stay with someone for awhile it would be easier, but 365 + utilities is not bad at all. Pick up some overtime when your not in school. Double shifts usually pay time and a half.

Also know that ALF's don't pay nearly as much as nursing homes and hospitals. I would suggest also looking in to hospitals or LTC because they pay more. I don't know where your located, but you can probably make more than 8.50 an hour.

Good luck and keep us posted!

MS._Jen_RN, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Do you know a friend or a couple who could use a little help with their bills? Would they rent you a room in their house? One of our friends is renting our guest room and it's great for all of us. He has a cheap place to stay and we have a little extra $. You may want to think about down the road when you are doing clincials and such, you might have to reduce your work hours, so plan ahead. I know lost of people who had/have roomates.

patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 21, 2009

Go to school, get your RN, go to a university that has housing. Do your 1st semester, then apply to work as a nurse tech. Or Join the Guard or reserves as a medic. Put of RN school till you get back. You will still qualify for the Pell Grant, etc etc,

Play your cards right, study hard, take out some loans if you have to, just enough to get by and nothing more.

rph3664 · Jan 21, 2009

If your boyfriend doesn't work, then you are almost certainly better off financially WITHOUT him around.

rngolfer53 · Jan 21, 2009

i'm done with my CNA course (paying out of pocket) i just have to take the GA exam. i applied for a job at an ALF and they pay around $8-8.50 per hour. i'm also want to take prereqs for nursing school. i'm thinking about moving out of my boyfriend's house (he doesn't work and i'm working at Jcpenneys) to this 1 bedroom apartment ($365 a month plus some utilities) but i don't know if i can make a living off $8 an hour.
I really want to move out on my own without any distractions from him. he knows this is hard work that i'm about to put in and he wants to play like it is no big deal. now my question is can i make it financially as a CNA. i want to work the 7-3 morning shift and take classes in the afternoon or evening. is it possible? i really need some advice. i want to live by myself and have no kids.

Not sure if living by yourself is realistic. If you could share an apartment, rent a room in a house (common among students) that would help.

And, if you want my advice, dump any adult boyfriend who doesn't work or go to school full time.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I did it. I worked as a CNA for 2 semesters then during the whole nursing program. It is possible, not pleasent, but possible.

First thing is, find the cheapest housing you can. If you can get something like what others have mentioned before, renting a room instead of an apt., do it. Just make sure it is close to or on the bus line. Second, you will have to sacrifice certain things that some people consider "essential" but really are not. Me, I could not drive the whole time......gas, insurance and maintenence would have made me broke. I had no cable television. I RARELY ate out, when I did, it was at sub-way or something with classmates. I switched to generic brand everything.......cereal, shampoo, canned foods....everything.

During the summer, I worker overtime galore and got caught up on bills and even saved a little cash for when school started again. I worked about 48 hours a week as a CNA and twice a week at the local gorcery store (4 tweelve hours shifts as CNA, 2 eights at the store and one day for me). While school was in session, I worked only the weekends as a CNA, went to school in the daytime M-F and supplemented my income with workstudy. Being a nursing student, you can get into some pretty interesting workstudy positions, wont necessarily be stuck with the paperwork fileing positions.

Family pitched in a good bit too. They knew I just wanted a gift card for groceries on my B-day and Christmas.

Like I said. Its not pleasent, but very doable.

lovehospital · Jan 21, 2009

hmmm,sometimes situations in life force us to give ultimatum to the one we love or are care about...well you should explain to him that if he wants to continue to be your current BF not soon to be ex he better step up to his responsibilities like a real man and go look for job and help you to pay the bills,or else he will loose you and then probably beg you to come back to him...

lpnflorida · Jan 21, 2009

Yes, I believe you can survive on your own without this boyfriend. Who's name is on the lease of the apartment. If both, well wait for the lease to run out. Then decide who is moving out. You can always find a room mate, look at the boards where you work to see if someone else is looking for a room mate.

You might have to work some extra hours to meet your needs, or you can try and cut down what you see as an nonessential expense. You can never put a price tag on your mental health. If your boyfriend is affecting your well being , then HE is a luxury you cannot afford.

Good luck to you.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Is mooching off your parents an option? Seriously! If you could live with your folks, work part time, and go to school for a couple of years, you could have an ADN and be working as a nurse, earning decent pay, as you completed your BSN. I don't know your situation, of course, but you might be able to pay your parents a small amount to help with room and board, and I'll bet they'd just be ecstatic to see you out of the situation you are in.

One small hitch with financial aid is that you aren't automatically counted as self-supporting until you are 25 (at least, that's how it was a few years ago.) So your qualification would depend on your parents' income. The financial aid counsellor where you are thinking of going to school could advise you better.

I know home isn't always an option, but don't be too quick to rule it out. If your parents are willing and able, a brief return to the nest might just the help you need to fly.

If that isn't an option, the roommate idea might also work. I think you possibly could do it on your own, but it won't be easy. If you can get student loans, I recommend taking them. (The government underwritten, Stafford loans, anyway.) I borrowed 15000 in student loans over two years, and while taking on that much debt made me want to puke, I'm paying back 160/month by automatic withdrawl, and I hardly notice it. A nurse's paycheck doesn't solve every problem, but it sure helps with the financial ones.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2009

Nursemike - great advice!

I know I'd let my child back in the home in a flash to get her out of a situation with a user like the OP's boyfriend.

steph

truern · Jan 21, 2009

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/when-money-low-358107.html#post3337460

"ok so i transferred from a junior college in ga to a 4 year university in virginia for nursing (gpa 3.6) . everything went okay as far as transfer goes now i'm in my last 2 years in nursing school."

I'm confused...but that's not unusual

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2009

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/when-money-low-358107.html#post3337460
"ok so i transferred from a junior college in ga to a 4 year university in virginia for nursing (gpa 3.6) . everything went okay as far as transfer goes now i'm in my last 2 years in nursing school."
I'm confused...but that's not unusual

Wow, if I was your mom dipsett08, you'd get an earful my dear.

Wake up!

steph