How did you financially make it through Nursing School? (Looking for some advice)

sassiebaz · Nov 6, 2008

Yep, it sure does! I wondered where alot of people, that are working during school, are making it all happen! I commend you, for sure!

oncrn17 · Nov 9, 2008

I worked FT while going to school and if I got a C or better, the hospital I worked at as a nurse aid paid my tuition. They paid 100% of tuition if you were FT for ADN and a portion of it if it was a BSN or MS program. They also had scholarships that you could apply for and use for books and gas money. It was worth it because I also got lots of experience while I was a nurse aid plus the other nurses would let me watch wound care, IV starts, suctioning, etc. so I would be more knowledgeable in clinicals and not so frightened in front of the instructor!

sassiebaz · Nov 9, 2008

I worked FT while going to school and if I got a C or better, the hospital I worked at as a nurse aid paid my tuition. They paid 100% of tuition if you were FT for ADN and a portion of it if it was a BSN or MS program. They also had scholarships that you could apply for and use for books and gas money. It was worth it because I also got lots of experience while I was a nurse aid plus the other nurses would let me watch wound care, IV starts, suctioning, etc. so I would be more knowledgeable in clinicals and not so frightened in front of the instructor!

What company did you work for that paid your tuition? If you don't mind saying....

DogCrazy · Nov 14, 2008

John C. Lincoln has tuition reimbursement. Also, if you get one of their affiliate slots for the PVCC program, you get a stipend. It sure helps out.

oncrn17 · Nov 15, 2008

I worked at a larger suburban hospital south of Chicago and they has a great tuition reimbursement program for the staff. They paid for staff to attend college for nursing, respiratory therapy, lab degree, Xray degree, IT degrees, etc. It just had to be a job that could be in the hospital when you graduated even if you did not stay after you earned your degree. :bow:

island40 · Nov 23, 2008

Back in the day when I went to Cochise Community College I had VEAP from my Army days and got Pell grants. I actually made money going to school! (circa 1992) It's not like that now. My 21 year old daughter is in community college and student loans have 8% interest rate (compare to 3% in 1997 when I got my BSN) and grants are nonexistant. You have to save and scrimp, get used books and get only the books that you will read- no point in throwing away $150 on something you are not going to crack open! When you graduate take a travel job for the pay so you can repay your loans. Stay away from Iowa (were I live now) as the pay for RNs is horrible ($15/hr starting) and don't get discuraged. Remember...the interest on student loans is tax deductable still.

justme1972 · Nov 23, 2008

I have no idea of how single people do it...I really don't.

My husband barely makes enough to cover us both....and when I mean barely, I mean barely. Internet service, we have to have because of school, but we aren't putting a dime into savings b/c we don't have any since I quit work.

We cut our TV back. I plan meals by the week...I pull up the grocery store websites...and whatever is on sale...that is what we eat. If I can find a really, really good deal on something, I stock up.

I only buy clothes for the children and we have made it very, very clear to the family that we cannot reciprocate this Christmas..if they insist on buying, buy for the kids, but we are not in a position to return the favor, and we are lucky that we can get our children only a few things for Christmas and they are happy b/c they aren't old enough to start making their lists at Easter.

For Thanksgiving we are going to Crackerbarrel, b/c we figured it was cheaper than cooking at home.

MassagetoRN · Nov 23, 2008

Slickdeals.net

Check out the grocery store and drugstore discussion forum. I never pay for tolietries and groceries become very cheap.... Hope that helps!!

sassiebaz · Nov 23, 2008

I have no idea of how single people do it...I really don't.
My husband barely makes enough to cover us both....and when I mean barely, I mean barely. Internet service, we have to have because of school, but we aren't putting a dime into savings b/c we don't have any since I quit work.
We cut our TV back. I plan meals by the week...I pull up the grocery store websites...and whatever is on sale...that is what we eat. If I can find a really, really good deal on something, I stock up.
I only buy clothes for the children and we have made it very, very clear to the family that we cannot reciprocate this Christmas..if they insist on buying, buy for the kids, but we are not in a position to return the favor, and we are lucky that we can get our children only a few things for Christmas and they are happy b/c they aren't old enough to start making their lists at Easter.
For Thanksgiving we are going to Crackerbarrel, b/c we figured it was cheaper than cooking at home.

Your situation mirrors mine, except I had to go get a fulltime job after being a stay at home with 3 kids. I have done some pre-req's but still have alot to finish. It was tough on one income, and not much better now that we have two as now I have to pay for daycare and juggle take and pick up times for the older two. I really got to hand it to working moms.....I don't think I could have done it up until now. My youngest is four so now it's doable!

What I really wanted to say though, is Im getting ready to do the same with my family and the holidays. Don't buy for us, as we cannot buy for anyone else. I'd bake treats but shipping them would be rediculous! So, it's all about the kids, and this year they know they are only getting one item each. That is all we can really do. Our Thanksgiving meal has been budgeted for around $75. I have several coupons but they aren't going to save me that much. I have asked some family members to pitch in for their share...which I have NEVER done before. But, it's tough right now, for alot of people.

:saint: Be thankful for what we do have...let's remember there is always someone else in worse shape!

justme1972 · Nov 23, 2008

Ok...please send me a PM on how you get out of paying for toiletries...this is a huge budget-buster for us.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2008

I can't remember if it was this thread, or another one where someone recommended trying Magic Jack for your home phone service. (Google it if interested.) It's $40 per year. In short, it's phone service over your internet line. This includes caller ID, voice mail, unlimited long distance to North America etc. You use your regular handset phone, though with a jack that plugs into your computer. It could be really good savings, though. I'm tired of paying $40-50 per month on my land line.

I just ordered it for my free trial. I'll report back on how it works. I used to use Vonage voice over internet telephone, so I'm OK with the voice over internet phone thingy. There are some down-sides. For example, your phone only works when your computer is on.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2008

If I am not mistaken J C Lincoln have such a thing as ' the desert mission' Where you can buy food very very cheaply and all profits go back in to the mission. I believe you can buy a weeks groceries for very little money and it covers all the major food sources not an exciting menu but It would be a good starting point.