How Do You Do it FINANCIALLY?? Nervous about entering Nursing School!

Nurses General Nursing

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Right now my hubby is in the Airforce and only brings in about $2600 a month. I work at home doing daycare and bring in around $2400 a month. So we do ok monthly right now. BUT, once I start nursing school, I won't have that much time to work... I'm just worried that we won't have enough money to pay the bills, food, and gas! Our Mortgage is $1200, car note $400, and other bills average out to $500-$600. Plus we have to pay for gas and food. There's no way we could make it off of hubby's income alone. Did you have a job when you first started nursing school? How much were you bringing home, or do you not work? Any advice would be great, thanks :)

Specializes in RN Internship.

Sl1001~

First of all, congrats on choosing nursing for your career!!

Like yourself, I am an Air Force Wife to my enlisted husband. We have three children together and I do not work. For the last two years I have been a full-time student and a SAHM, so financial it has been rough. I am just starting the actual Nursing program in three weeks....so I still have two more years.

However, without you working I'm sure you will qualify for a pell grant and other income related grants. Plus look into STAP-Spouses Tuition Assistance Program at your Education Office on base,,,,depending on where you are stationed they may have more or less to offer. Also, for the first time ever I applied for Foundation Scholarships that are given away at my school and I was granted two..the first time around. So there is plenty out there, it's just a matter of digging to find it. ;)

This semester I will actually be able to use some of the scholarship money for daycare......so take advantage of everything you can. Keep your head up and you too can make it financially!!

Good Luck....and if you need anything else feel free to PM message me.

Cari

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In my house we brought over $5200 a month. We have one in daycare $1000 a month, after school program $125, 1 care payment, other cars paid off but have insurance and gas , grocery and the other bills, and me who decided that I want to go back to school so I created another bill. We did anyway. I just graduated july 25. me and my husband sat down talk about everything and decided it ws now or never. I had a full time job that I kept for 4 months while attending school. I got tried, so I quit the job school was more important. I found a part time job that I could work to fit my schedule. Some hospitals may have weekend programs or per diem position that you can apply for. I not sure were you live but in New Jersey once your finish certain modules, semesters, or phases you can apply for your CNA license. with this you can find flexibilty or work for an agency around your schedule. Budget is a great way to get thru school if that's your decision.Write everything out, it usually look different on paper.

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:DI will be starting my junior year and entering my nursing program in 3 weeks and I am seriously considering quitting my job as a pharmacy tech because school is more important and my boss doesn't get that. People complain about not wanting student loans but I would rather get student loans (as a last resort) than be stressed out about money because nursing school is hard as it is. Me and my husband took my grandparents up on their offer for us to live with them 1 yr ago so that we didn't have to struggle with bills so we now live rent free ( and we have our own rooms and bathroom). This has been a big help because child care is $240 every 2 weeks.You will be surprised how much your family wants to see you achieve your goals. Although we can afford to get our own space due to my husband's recent promotion when things come up like when his car broke down to the point of no return he was able to go that day and get a new one and we didn't have to stress because mine is paid off. So seek help from your family members and also don't be ashamed when they offer to help.

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Do any of you have or had parents/family giving you money to help out during nursing school? I know my family would be willing to give us some money, so we don't have to take out too high of loans.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

I had to rely on scholarships and student loans. It was hard, but I made it through.

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