I want to be a nurse....BUT

Gigi1 · Dec 29, 2007

Well look I work 32 hours a week with an ophthamologist and that helps me get through. I have a 6 month old daughter so I have to spend most of my paycheck on her Gerbers or diapers. So Trust me after a few bills my check is gone, so that's why I decided to move back home. I hate the idea that I might be living at home for about 4 to 5 years with my baby but is a sacrifice that I have to make for my daughter and myself. I go to school part time so I

Gigi1 · Dec 29, 2007

...sorry I didn't finish. Like I was saying I go to school part time so I can get good grades while working and taking care of a new baby. So maybe get a part time job and stay at home, trust me It feels like you'll never leave but think of the outcome after your done. So stick with it!

RNDreamer · Dec 29, 2007

Apply for financial aid and loans. If you are not familiar with these, then I would definitely suggest speaking to someone in the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend, and they will be able to go over your options with you.

YOU WILL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU TRY.

Please don't let the fact that there are people waiting years to get into a program deter you from TRYING. I have wanted to be a nurse for 10 years. Failed a Biology class my first semester in college and got discouraged. Got a bachelor's degree in another field while watching my friends graduate with the degree I SHOULD have had.

Last year, around this time I decided to bite the bullet and try again.A year later (NOW) I am in a nursing program and set to start clinicals next September after finishing my last set of pre-reqs this spring.

Yes, I am taking loans, but it will be sooooo worth in to me. If, all goes well, I will graduate in May of 2010, at age 30. I would have turned 30 whether or not I went back to school.

5 years from now, you will be 5 years older, whether you try or not.

Don't give up before you try.

what if I need money NOW? I was wondering what everyone is doing now for money? =/ What is your job now? I'm almost desperate enough to join the coast guard for 4 yrs...I'm happy for those getting into the nursing program...after waiting 2 to 3 or 4 years....but I denno..that seems long. What do you think? Will the waiting lists and competitiveness die down after 4 yrs? or just the same as it is today?
I'm not getting any younger, no one is. But I can't be living at home for another 5 yrs. Are you guys using student loans as well?
what do you think?

Nicole708 · Dec 29, 2007

what if I need money NOW? I was wondering what everyone is doing now for money? =/ What is your job now? I'm almost desperate enough to join the coast guard for 4 yrs...I'm happy for those getting into the nursing program...after waiting 2 to 3 or 4 years....but I denno..that seems long. What do you think? Will the waiting lists and competitiveness die down after 4 yrs? or just the same as it is today?
I'm not getting any younger, no one is. But I can't be living at home for another 5 yrs. Are you guys using student loans as well?
what do you think?

I totally know how you feel! I have been working to get into a nursing program from the last 18+ months. I moved back home for the first few months but needed to get a place of my own. I have found the best way to make money is by waiting tables/bartending. I have a BS in Human Biology. In my 3rd year decided I wanted to be a nurse but ended up finishing my degree and am now trying to get the degree I REALLY want. I found the best thing for me is to work in food service 25-30 hours a week (the tips make it totally worth it!) and than volunteer in a hospital to gain experience while I am waiting. Even after I get into a nursing program I think I am going to continue to work in a restaurant to support myself in addition to student loans.

Good luck with everything!

coolpeach · Dec 30, 2007

I moved back home with 3 kids in tow, but thats the way it goes. I am just happy I have family who can, and are willing to be there. I go to school full time, and raise them. Honestly there is no way I could work even part time. I drop them off for school in the mornings, go to school myself, leave in time to pick them up from school (they go to different schools so lots of driving), get everyone home, help them with homework, makes sure everyone eats, and baths, and get everyone to bed. Then its time for me to study which I generally do between 10pm-2am, and then I sleep for 4 hours and go again. I have taken out loans, and grants, and get a small bit of child support. I contribute $500 a month to the household food budget, pay for our medical, dental, clothes, school fees & supplies, and personal needs. Of course I also have to save some money for christmas, and birthdays. My parents are here to help since I am a single parent now, and this comes in handy. I DONT pay rent, electric, water etc. This has allowed me to concentrate on school, my kids to have a consistant, steady home, and we are able to live in a lifestyle we would not be able to achieve without help. Of course my parents know that one day when they are older, and I am a nurse they will be able to count on me. I am also the first person in my family to go to college, and we look at it as a family investment. We are starting a trend which we hope my kids, and their kids will follow.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Dec 30, 2007

i work full time monday-friday 7a-4:30p and take night lecture classes and saturday all day clinicals. my study time is usually at night when i get home from class (which is over at 10 or 11) or on sunday when i am trying to clean my pigsty house i have neglected all week! its really hard, and i am really exhausted, but i have to pay the rent and buy groceries! i dont qualify for any financial aide or anything, so i had to take out loans to pay for school. but if you want it badly enough, trust me, it CAN be done! stick with it!

RNDreamer · Dec 30, 2007

I say go for it

catzy5 · Dec 30, 2007

what if I need money NOW? I was wondering what everyone is doing now for money? =/ What is your job now? I'm almost desperate enough to join the coast guard for 4 yrs...I'm happy for those getting into the nursing program...after waiting 2 to 3 or 4 years....but I denno..that seems long. What do you think? Will the waiting lists and competitiveness die down after 4 yrs? or just the same as it is today?
I'm not getting any younger, no one is. But I can't be living at home for another 5 yrs. Are you guys using student loans as well?
what do you think?

I think your going to have think long in hard what the pro's and con's are to your life and situation. It does take some time to get through the pre reqs, but that would be true for any degree. 5 years might seem like a long time but believe me it comes and goes VERY quickly!

Do you have a good relationship with your family? Are they willing to help you out while you get your degree? If yes then do it NOW whatever it takes, work part time, or work full time go to school part time. When I was your age I didn't have a choice to go home I lived on my own, and went to school, I finished 60 credits at a CC and got accepted to a university, I couldn't afford it though and so never went back. I am 39 now I have been working at pre reqs since 2004, I am finally starting NS at a CC in January. I tell you that because I know how it feels to have to have the money to just survive, how do you balance it all, well sometimes you can't? If you have a way though of staying home and finishing school then by all means do it, if it takes 5 years or 10 if it's an option, the years will go by with or without a degree. Before you know it you will be trying to go back and balancing a family kids, husband, a job possibly and school, You want to talk about difficult? lol so do it now while you can and things I promise will be so much easier when you do have a family and a steady (FLEXIBLE) job.

good luck to you!

catzy5 · Dec 30, 2007

I moved back home with 3 kids in tow, but thats the way it goes. I am just happy I have family who can, and are willing to be there. I go to school full time, and raise them. Honestly there is no way I could work even part time. I drop them off for school in the mornings, go to school myself, leave in time to pick them up from school (they go to different schools so lots of driving), get everyone home, help them with homework, makes sure everyone eats, and baths, and get everyone to bed. Then its time for me to study which I generally do between 10pm-2am, and then I sleep for 4 hours and go again. I have taken out loans, and grants, and get a small bit of child support. I contribute $500 a month to the household food budget, pay for our medical, dental, clothes, school fees & supplies, and personal needs. Of course I also have to save some money for christmas, and birthdays. My parents are here to help since I am a single parent now, and this comes in handy. I DONT pay rent, electric, water etc. This has allowed me to concentrate on school, my kids to have a consistant, steady home, and we are able to live in a lifestyle we would not be able to achieve without help. Of course my parents know that one day when they are older, and I am a nurse they will be able to count on me. I am also the first person in my family to go to college, and we look at it as a family investment. We are starting a trend which we hope my kids, and their kids will follow.

Your really doing a great job, good luck on your future!!

babywearingdoula · Dec 31, 2007

Isn't it funny how a 2 or 4 year degree REALLY takes alot longer!!!!!!!!!!

MrsBradyMom · Dec 31, 2007

Just jump in feet first and DO IT. I can rationalize it for you this way.....

Think about all the money you would have made as a nurse for X amount of years you keep putting it off. There will always be excuses. I don't know if any one of us started this journey at the "right" time.

I agree with the other poster about finding a seving job somewhere. You can't beat the tips and usually hours are extremely flexible. I work P/T at Pizza Hut, not glamorous by any means, but I can make about $100 in tips on a Friday night 5-10 shift. You can't beat $20 an hour. I supplement with student loans. Now I do have a husband, but with that also comes a huge mortgage, 2 car payments, 6 kids with one in college, etc. It sounds like it is just you, so it should be more manageable.

Just "Git 'er done!"

Good luck!