How do I pay my bills?

suzanne4, RN · Oct 17, 2008

You can easily get a job and work part-time while you are in school. The majority of the students that are in nursing school work, even when attending full-time.

You will have enough free hours to be able to work a part-time job and preferably one that is in health care to give you the extra experience that comes in handy when you are applying for jobs and also gives you an in with a manager in getting a new grad position when you graduate.

Best of luck to you.

byrd262, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2008

Depending on your finances and life circumstances, it may be smart to purchase a home and rent to students. I am in my first semester of NS and my neighbor did that. Right after med school she purchased a home 2 blocks from the medical campus using gov't grants for first time home buyers (it helps if you are a female and/or minority as some programs are that specific). Now shes doing her residency and rents to 2 other students for $800 a piece. That's 1600.00 in rent. She provided home furnishings and they are only responsible for furishing their rooms. Did I mention that we live 2 blocks from the medical campus. Students will pay for that. I'm sure she didn't pay much for the home b/c of the extremely-urban environment and b/c she did some work on the home as well. BTW, I know her morgage is less than 1600.00. So she is "living for free." Just another option.

MaineEMT2RN · Oct 17, 2008

Many jobs in healthcare offer tuition reimbursement. At the acute care facility I work at, we can get tuition reimbursement for nursing school provided we have worked there at least 6 months and work at least 20 hours per week (and pass the course). I do two 12 hour shifts on the weekends, so I have the rest of my time available to study and the hospital carries the cost of my tuition. All that comes out of my pocket is books and supplies.

My job also puts me in a position of gaining valuable patient experience, being surrounded by experts, networking at the facility I hope to work at after graduation, and a supportive work environment.

Best of all, no debt when I graduate :-)

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 17, 2008

Regarding buying property, probably not as likely a possibility in Santa Monica and West Los Angeles, as it's a VERY popular area. With the recent real estate crash, a small 2BR house may have dropped from over $600,000 to just over $400,000.

Buying something and renting rooms out IS a great idea for many of the surrounding areas of Los Angeles, though. Two years ago, no way would the cost of a mortgage match rent for a room in a basic apartment. But now, one can find some nice deals out there... if they can get a mortgage!

MB37 · Oct 17, 2008

Can you pick up OT or a second job now and put some money away? As others have said, most people can work at least PT while in NS, and many people are able to do full. School needs to be your priority though, so you're smart to be considering a backup plan in case you find yourself unable to maintain passing grades while working as many hours as you're used to. Tuition reimbursement is a great option that many of my classmates used, and you should look into loan forgiveness programs too - my state is paying off most of mine for me, since I work in a "medically underserved" area. The cap where I live is $16K, but I borrowed less than that. Depending on your credit, private school loans are supposed to be harder to get right now, but if you have a decent credit score borrowing some money for education isn't a bad thing. What's your relationship with your parents like? Is moving back in an option? Will they help with tuition, or loan you money, or cosign a loan for you? As far as housing, roommates are a great idea. So is renting a room from someone as opposed to an entire apartment. Other people on AN have also suggested looking in the classifieds for ads for live-in nannies, housekeepers, or caregivers. Most people would love to hire a nursing student, and you'll get paid a little on top of getting a free place to sleep.

A lot of us don't have rich families who offered to pay our entire tuition for us and support us while we were in school, and we all found a way. There are a ton of options out there if you look hard enough! Good luck!

Shaggyb2000 · Oct 18, 2008

Why would you suggest it a good thing to live off the government while you go to nursing school. Looking for ways to rip off taxpayers to pay for your interest in becominga nurse is not good advice.For shame, Larry77, for suggesting it. Either save up enough to go, find private grants or don't go at all.

PLM311 · Oct 18, 2008

well, BIG thank you's to everyone who took the time out to respond. these all sound like great ideas. thanks for giving a young and confused soul some direction lol. and to the last post, i do not see anything wrong with government assistance if you are trying to better yourself and eventually help people stay/get healthy!

like another poster said, buying property in this area is NOT possible for me right now, real estate here is CRAZY EXPENSIVE.

my parents live in Ohio and i am trying to avoid moving there if at all possible.

the loans and grants sound like my only options and i don't think my job will mind if i ask for my hours to be cut, that way i will have some sort of income while in NS.

does anyone have any links to websites that offer grants/loans for nursing students? *off to google*

thanks again!

ForMYdaughter · Oct 18, 2008

I too must continue to maintain a household when I start the ADN program, but the school that I have decided to pursue has a night program, is that an option for you?? A night program will allow you the opportunity to "maintain" your life AND studies! It will be hard, but that is what SACRIFICE is all about, this will be my 3rd degree, my BS I was young and on my own, my MSW I had a newborn in the program, NOW for my ADN, my kid is two now but it is still going to be a fight..but you know what they say "ANYTHING WORTH HAVING IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR"!! GOOD LUCK!! *wine