How Can This Be Done?????Help..Advice

passing thru · Jul 4, 2003

Are you prepared to lower your standard of living for about five years?

Move into the cheapest apartment? Most likely into a less desirable neighborhood? Give up all entertainment spending? Give up shopping for new clothes? Give up eating out? vacations?

There's a lot of discussion about sacrifice to go to school.

How about moving? Will you attend a large university that probably provides "married student housing" ? You don't have to be married, a single mom with a child is eligible for cheap rents...real cheap.

Go to the financial aid office of the school you want to attend. That is the place to start. See what they have to offer. Grants, low cost rents, etc. There's national programs that offer stipends for single parents, and they will pay for your books , uniforms, etc.

After you are into the studying for a year, there's low -cost loans that do not have to be paid back until you have your nursing degree.

For starters, pay off all credit cards. Drive an old paid- for car.

It is a huge change of current lifestyle to do it solo--without help.

But many have lived like paupers and done it before you, and you can do it to.

Med409 · Jul 4, 2003

Thank you so much... I didnt know which way to turn or how to go about it.....The things that you have described..I can do..not a stranger to it at all. I will be attending the Community College in my area.

Im determined to do this.. again..thanks :roll

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2003

I did it for my ADN, BS and MS. It can be done. Just cut what you can and say for that time your life will be hard. Go forward.

renerian

rnnurse2be · Jul 8, 2003

ok... lets think of more cost cutting items.

Get rid of cable

Get rid of cell phone

no more new release movies... only the .99 oldies

no more mochas (ok.... maybe just cut back)

buy clothes second hand (look at garage sales)

buy food in bulk (costco) and freeze it.

instead of buying dinner out all the time, make pizza at home.

instead of buying new CD's, look into pawn shops for them

----------------

Ask friends to help watch your child during school. OR, if he is a quiet child bring him with you if you have to. Many mom's do this at our CC, and as long as the child is quiet and doesnt disrupt they dont mind.

How about a night class or two so your parents can watch the child?

Will your son be in school by the time Nursing school hits?

Take a few classes at a time...if you cant get a sitter

GET YOUR BUTT DOWN TO THE FINANCIAL OFFICE ASAP... they are there to help you. YOU are NOT the only one out there!

To save on gas, can you and your son walk, or ride a bike?

Each time you go to spend the money, or buy something ask yourself if it is something that you realllllllllly need! You would be amazed by the over spending we do on a whim...

Never Underestimate the Impossible.... :)

and...

If no door is opened, climb through a window! :)

Med409 · Jul 9, 2003

Thank you all for the encouragement and all the wise info you have given me. My son is pretty understanding and yes he is a quiet child. He is 8 and pretty excited himself about going into a higher grade. So, he is also excited mom is going to be doing some studying too :kiss .... oh.. I am and will always be a THRIFTY person.

April

Milehighnurse · Jul 11, 2003

Originally posted by Med409
Hello to All,

I am planning to go back to school this fall and I know there are some single parents out there. So, my question is..is how can this be done? I know it will be awhile before I get into the Nursing course...but when I get there how can it be done? They say you practically cannot work and I am the soul provider for me and my son.Med409 (April)

First off, who are "they" and have THEY ever been a single parent trying to do life and better themselves?

Yes, it can be done, not always fun or easy, but by God it can be done. I had 3 little ones- 3-7 y/o when I went through my divorce and was in my last year of nursing school ( the most intensive part). Had no family in the area, friends had their own families to deal with. You learn to make it work with what resources you do have available. Know who my greatest support system was? God and my kids. Don't get me wrong, I am not a holy roller, but in tough times you learn to rely on your higher power. When I felt like giving up and crawling under a rock they were there for me. Pretty darn good for little ones! Bottom line is that IF this is something you REALLY want to do, you'll find a way to make it work regardless of the circumstances. Good luck Med.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2003

I had two kids while in school to get my ADN, 2 months and 2 years. For my BS/MS I had 5.

renerian

TinyNurse, RN · Jul 18, 2003

Great advice from everyone, I couldn't have said it better myself.

ainz · Jul 18, 2003

Live cheap. Sacrifice fun stuff. Get used to going without sleep or at least 3 or 4 hours/night. Live cheap. Call the brother, sister, father who is busy Pastor, mother, ask for their help, get the financial aid, get a student loan or two. The student loans are great. I got 2 of them and paid my apartment rent for almost a year with one and bought a car with the other. (Before I did not have a car, didn't abuse the loan, didn't require as much money to live day-to-day because I paid the rent up for 10 months at once.) Live cheap. Study hard. Stay focused on your goal and the benefits you will reap when you finish. My mother made a little crochet-type thing that said "the tassle is worth the hassle." I kept on my desk in my direct line of sight for the last 5 years of college I attended, while working fulltime with family, house, bills, etc. And my last bit of advice is to live cheap. Did I say that already?

Dixen81 · Aug 6, 2003

Ainz, you are so funny, but so right on! April, you gotta live cheap! Set your priorities and go for it! By the way, there's all kinds of financial aid out there for single women with children. Even housing...check your local public housing agency or HUD. I believe there is even help with daycare. Good luck to you!

NHLPN, LPN · Aug 7, 2003

How about a Pell grant, or trying for a scholarship? Do they offer a part time nursing program? I went to school on a Pell grant and also won a scholarship. I am in the process of going back for my RN, slowly, one class at a time, and will be getting into an RN program next year. Good luck!!!! and don't get discouraged, things always end up working out.