How to deal with the transition..

MIA-RN1, RN · Mar 13, 2006

I have been working in the medical field for almost 2 years now. I have had great experiences that have helped me decide that I want a career in Nursing. Hopefully if everything goes well I will start Nursing school in September 2007. My question is how do you deal with the transition of working a full time job and being soo consumed with work to going full time in Nursing School and that being the top priority. I am worried that I will have a tough time going to school full time and working part time.. I am worried about the money situation and the struggle of paying my bills and supporting my shopping habit. Please give any advice... Thanks in advance.

SOmething that I really wish I had done prior to beginning this was saving some money for an emergency fund. Things are tight for us as I go to school and sometimes I wish I had a stash of cash, so to speak.

Shopping habit...I don't know what to tell you. I have one too.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2006

To answer your question, I was in a similar sinking-boat some years back. So I put my dream to become a Registered Nurse on hold until I got my financial act together. It took me 5 years but I now have no bad debts, a nice savings, and the ability to be a full-time student to boot. I did this before I quit my career-job.

Last semester I finished my only pre-req (I already had two degrees by that point) and have just applied to the Fall 2006 Nursing class in January. I know what I did is not a popular thing to do, but in reality if you have a lot of bad debts such as credit cards and car loans etc. (I do not know if you do) and/or no ability to control your spending, it may be your only choice for now because Financial Aid will not cover most expenses.

On the bright side, you may be able to take your non-science classes online while you wait to prepare yourself financially to be a full-time student. By the way, the thought of getting into Nursing school and becoming a Registered Nurse has completely motivated me to get my financial act together. So I am sure if this is really what you want it should work out for you too.

How much is that next unnecessary purchase worth? Is it worth your dream? For me unnecessary purchases were not worth working another day at jobs I could not stand. Good luck! :)

tfm2007 · Mar 14, 2006

I have to say that I have it easy compared to some of you, who are taking years to save money.. Me on the other hand, I am only 21, live with my parents, and have no debt or car payments.. The only thing I must pay each month is rent, which will be non existance when I start school, car insurance which is like $200, and my cell phone bill.. My plan is to start school in 2007 and if I am correct my parents will be paying half of everything, I will be responsible for the rest. I am planning to work part time, just enough to get benefits... About saving, I have never been one to save money, I have no problem spending it though.. My mother charges me extra rent sometimes and saves that money for me.. So I am pretty much just gonna go day by day when I get there.. I think once school starts and I am not working 2 jobs to support my spending habit, I will see that there is not enough money to spend the way I do..(I only spend what I can afford) When the time comes it will be alot of eating at home, alot of studying instead of shopping, and I feel I will mature more..

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2006

MBA2BRN gave alot of good advice. Once you start school, you will limit yourself on how much you spend, because nursing school is expensive, tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, gas to and from school and clinicals adds up quickly.

Put yourself on a budget now and get used to it before starting school. The money that you would normally spend for "fun" things, put it in a savings account or in a hiding place. When you begin school you will have a nice "cushion".