How to make ends meet during nursing school?

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At 35yo, I've decided to make the career change from a comfortable, secure, well-paying job in marketing to nursing. I have a BS, but will soon be resigning to pursue a BSN.

I've recently sold my home, so I no longer have a mortgage. Before I begin school, I intend to buy a reliable car outright in cash so I won't have a car payment. I have no debt, other than my previous student loan (which I believe I can defer while I'm a student). With that said, there will still be regular living expenses like rent, electricity, food, gas, car insurance, phone, etc.

While I'm a nursing student, I intend to volunteer at a local hospital to gain experience during my (hopefully) 2 years of nursing school.

I may or may not be able to get financial aid as a student (as in my experience, they base aid on your income from the previous year, which means they'll be basing it on my decent salary from *this* calendar year, not from my $0 income as a student *next* calendar year).

What do people do to make ends meet while being a nursing student & volunteer?

For those with no nursing school experience yet, are there entry-level jobs that pay (I haven't seen any, but also don't know what I should be looking for)?

Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm able to stay with a family member while in school and I pay very little per month. This is a HUGE help and I'm very grateful. I try to work atleast 24 hours/week to pay for bills.

Sometimes I use credit cards for emergencies. Most of all GOD is supplying my every need.

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Can you work part time in a hospital as a CNA or something? I think you would get better experience as a CNA rather than a volunteer. Plus, you would be getting paid for your time. I am working PRN at a hospital through NS.

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Specializes in OBGYN, Urogynecology.

Working during school wasn't really an option for me since I did an accelerated BSN program in 15 months. I know some people in my class did the occasional weekend shift but for me, school was enough to keep me very busy and I didn't want to worry that my grades might suffer because I couldn't find time to study.

For me, all my money came from what I was able to save up and a little extra from student loans. I did end up having to take out a personal student loan (not based on financial need) that has a higher interest rate but it was worth it not to stress about money AND school. Even if you made a lot last year, still do your FAFSA and try for govt loans since they have much lower interest rates. Cut any corners you can - get rid of your cable because you wont be watching TV during nursing school and if you can, move in with a relative or find roommates to split rent with. Cut your cell phone plan down to the bare minimum you need, no going out to eat or to the movies or whatever. Not gonna lie, the next couple years might suck. Just try to be as financially conservative as you can.

And definitely if you feel you have time to work, get a job as a CNA (something I didn't do and kicked myself for it when I started job hunting). It'll give you a leg up when you graduate and start interviewing.

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I am doing something similar. I am currently a paralegal, but I despise what I do. I have always wanted to be a nurse, and now I am finally able to do it. As soon as I get my CNA, I am going to work PRN at the hospital that I am hoping to work at as an RN.

They have great programs for nursing students and new grads, so I figure I will be ahead if the game if I get in as a CNA right away.

You should check out the websites of your local hospitals and see if they have programs like that. Good luck to you!

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What do people do to make ends meet while being a nursing student & volunteer?

Are there entry-level jobs that pay for those in year 1 of nursing school (I haven't seen any, but also don't know what I should be looking for)?

I didn't volunteer...figured I spent enough time paying to work for free during clinicals. I worked full time as a PCT/nurse extern during nursing school which SUCKED, but I was a single parent and I had bills to pay.

A lot of hospitals like to hire nursing students as techs/externs/care partners/whatever. It's especially nice if you're able to get one of these positions at the hospital that you'd like to work at after graduating, and even better if it's the area that you'd like to work in. I had one great day at a clinical site and it turned into a job the job that got me thru the remainder of nursing school and turned into my first job as a nurse. :D Many hospitals also offer summer externship programs- so if you're good with savings, it may be something to look into between your first and second year. A lot of these end with job offers as well.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Beans and rice and rice and beans. Seriously, I work about 20 hours/week as LPN. During school breaks I work as much as they will let me. I've saved up some and cut out the non-essentials (cable TV, netflix, etc). Also ditto to what NurseLoveJoy said, "I depend on God". Good luck to you!

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I worked double shifts as a CNA on the weekends, and went to school 5 days a week. It was really hard, I didnt have a day off for a year. I still got all A's through school, but I wouldnt recommend it if you dont have to do that. Even working at all as a CNA will give you good experience, better than volunteering. As a CNA you will be part of the nursing staff, get to know and watch the nurses and learn from them. It will help you get your foot in the door, and you get paid. As a volunteer you will not do any nursing duties.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

I used to work as a Medical Assistant full-time and prior to nursing school I worked an extra job doing seasonal work. That way I had enough money saved and didn't had to work a lot during the program. I cut my hours to part-time when I went to nursing school and during the summertime I would work extra hours. I had to pay rent, so I couldn't afford not to work. Still, I tried to save money for the following semester and had to live practical relying on discount stores such as Big Lots to buy my necessities. I lost weight eating TV dinners, because I didn't have time to cook real food. Actually, there were several occasions that I was so immersed in my studies and homework that I would forget to eat. I had a choice to move back with my parents, but I decided to make it on my own without asking them for financial help. As I look back, I was lucky that I took this risk because of the uncertainty of whether you will be able to make ends meet or not. Sometimes in life you have to go for the goal and have to make some real sacrifices.

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Doubles on Fri & Sat, 3-11 on Sun; 40hr/wk and full-time classes. BUT, I was living at home. The money I earned paid for books, and saving for a move to a different state once I was licensed.

Any chance of a roommate or other way to share expenses?

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It's been said multiple times and it bears repeating, get a job (CNA/tech/UA) at a local hospital. Especially if it's a union hospital. Union members get first dibs on posted positions in their facility and it will be much easier for you to move into an RN position once you are licensed. Make a good impression on your co workers, be a model employee, and your life will be much easier once your RN job search begins. Especially if the economy doesn't improve by then. (God, I hope it does!) Good luck to you on this journey!

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The school may give you grants because of your income. But I might have doubts because you sold your home and now you have money in your bank account. I've had a friend who was struggling and sold his home, he didn't end up getting much financial aide because of it. You can always repeal.

As for jobs. I suggest CNA work after your first year of nursing school, then you dont have to take the class. Call your state CNA certifying board and ask them how to go about taking the test. They usually give you a guideline of what to study and then you take the test. It pays pretty well too.

I really wish you the best of luck. When I finish nursing school I will have over 100k in student debt, so i know how hard it is. I opted to volunteer and do research instead of working because I felt it was more important. But alot of people do choose to work instead.

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