How did you do it?

BarbPick · Dec 2, 2003

Barry University has a great Anesthesia school in Miami Shores, 6 Blocks from my house. Lots of money and grants , so I told.

You can take a travel Nurse position and your housing is paid for. There is a good staff relief agency close by and your husband can take the occasional shift.

Diprivan/Vented · Dec 2, 2003

Originally posted by SnowymtnRN
i'm scared to death to buy a house cuz i don't know if it would be worth it or not at this point. If we have to move for him to go to school, that's fine.

I would strongly suggest you wait.

MICU RN · Dec 2, 2003

Start financial planning now. Don't wait, it can be done it will take planning and sacrifice. I just started anesthesia school this semester and I had to quit my job just like everyone else. However, I also have two small children and my wife has not went back to work yet. We had been planning for this for a couple of years, so we lived way under our means, small house with small house note, old cars ect.

We had some money saved but not a lot, most will come from loans. There does not seem to be many grants or scholarships, although I just received a local one for 1000.oo. However, because of the high demand for crnas right now, you can probable find a anesthesia group or hospital that will be willing to help in return for so many years of service.

So it can be done, but start now, don't wait, many of friends would love to go back to crna school, but just can't afford it, big house, new cars big notes. But I would rather be poor for the next 3 years than have to do bedside nursing for the rest of my working career. It is all about choices and how hard you are willing to work towards your goals. Good luck, it can be done!!!!!!!

CCU NRS · Dec 2, 2003

Truly one of the curses of a career in nursing you always feel that you should be advancing. More school and better credentials and on and on.

mommyof2grls · Dec 2, 2003

I agree with everyone. It can be done.

We had 2 who were Seniors in high School, with one born in the first semester. 2 new cars and a new house. I am an RN as well and because of the schedule and child care issues actually had to go part time.

I am in no way saying it is easy, but it is doable. Kevin and I knew one of us would go, but when news of Newman's Program got out it was shot gun thing. We had done no planning financially and had just gotten married the August before. Basically Kevin signed on with a group. (I personally don't recommend that unless you put some clause in there about OT maximums etc.) who paid interest on all loans while in school then matched 100% contributions made up to 10K per year. We pd 10 they pd 10. With a max of 50K over a 5 year time. Seems great huh? That with the retirement benefits and pay were wonderful, the down side was I saw him allot less after he got out of school than when he was in. And had to all but quit working due to a very erratic call schedule that would change at the drop of a hat. ( his boss said he should talk to me and we should realize who the main provider was) HAHAHA.....

:(

Also private loans are out there. We had a friend co sign then paid that one off the first year. Other than that.. scrimp and save where you can and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

:roll

SnowymtnRN · Dec 3, 2003

Well we were talking about it today and decided at the end of having our minivan for 12 mths, we are going to trade up for it, then pay it off early so we can have a good dependable large enough car. Then we also will have the other vehicle paid off. I guess the rent is what grates me. Cuz its $725 with no other options at this point for cheaper rent, but it seems so wasteful to throw our money away. DH wants to look into the Tribal nursing for Indian services, i know they have loan repayment. So if that's what we have to do, then we do. It would be easier if we only had car insurance, living bills, and such to deal with. That won't be so hard. Of course it depends on where he goes to school. Right now he's looking at Washington and South Dakota. Thanks for the tips! Our credit sucks, so right now we are working on that, but at least we don't have any more CC or anything to contend with. Just school loans, loans, loans.........

Thanks for the ideas! Keep them coming!

BarbPick · Dec 3, 2003

I suggested you work as travel nurses in your chosen state. You get free luxury housing.

SnowymtnRN · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by BarbPick
I suggested you work as travel nurses in your chosen state. You get free luxury housing.

Very true. i was thinking that too. Of course, this depends on where we are living......hopefully there will be plenty of jobs that pay like that for agency stuff.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 3, 2003

If mom is a travel nurse and dad is in CRNA school, who takes care of the kiddos?

BTW, $725 is so low for rent--I know it is tied to cost of living for the area, but for emotional comfort, check out rental rates for places like, well, Dallas, and at least you won't feel so bad about paying rent.

Consider that when he finishes school, you will have such a nice income jump, that's when to buy your house, etc. With rent, if something should happen and you have to scale down, or whatever, at least you don't have a repo situation on your hands.

Also, check out the VA. Last time I looked, they also had tuition reimbursement, with only a two year obligation.

Good luck!

FlyingED · Dec 3, 2003

Before you dismiss the idea of buying a house vs renting I would get yourself preapproved for a loan, now. And then look for a house in the town you and your husband are planning on going to school in before school starts. This is not strictly "kosher" but finance companies might be more willing to give you a loan for a house while you are employed, but not when you are a student.

Especially in SD, where housing is relatively cheap, compared to seattle.

SnowymtnRN · Dec 3, 2003

Originally posted by chris_at_lucas
If mom is a travel nurse and dad is in CRNA school, who takes care of the kiddos?

BTW, $725 is so low for rent--I know it is tied to cost of living for the area, but for emotional comfort, check out rental rates for places like, well, Dallas, and at least you won't feel so bad about paying rent.

Consider that when he finishes school, you will have such a nice income jump, that's when to buy your house, etc. With rent, if something should happen and you have to scale down, or whatever, at least you don't have a repo situation on your hands.

Also, check out the VA. Last time I looked, they also had tuition reimbursement, with only a two year obligation.

Good luck!

I'm from Texas actually, and i think the housing market in Dallas is pretty good! lol I'm in Wyoming now, which is an overall economically depressed area. BUT we've been searching high and low for housing, and this is by far the best for the space and price we've found.

IF i took some travel assignments. it would be locally or within driving distance. We only do the daycare scene when we HAVE to, so hopefully i'll be able to work something out. of course, we are on a 3 year plan (to finish his BSN, figureout where to apply, etc..) so i have some time to decide hopefully.

Even if we are dead broke and desolate while he's in school, it'll be worth it afterwards. lol I keep trying to remember that.

Thanks for the tips!!