Jobs during Nursing school/ How do you afford this??

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I am hopefully starting nursing school in August (as long as I get funding) and Im currently a CNA-

My schedule will be Mon-Thurs 8-3 until we start clinicals which will be on a Fri or Sat - and I have church Sunday for a couple hours that Im not willing to give up on a regular basis- So basically I would think I could work Fri & Sat but thats just 24 hours a week...

And I have a phone bill, a car bill, rent, utilities, food, gas ...

I sort of just want to sell my car & get an older civic or something for good gas miles & less of a car payment, but I dont want to risk getting a crappy car thats going to break down while Im in nursing school.

Anyways, if you can share any tips or ideas or what you did if you didnt have any parental or spousal support that would be great!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

While I was in school, I had a mortgage and other bills to pay. The first 4 to 6 months of expenses were covered with unemployment checks that I had been receiving. The last 6 months of expenses were paid with my savings, which rapidly dwindled by the time I completed the program.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

How do you get unemployment? lol.. Dont you have to be laid off or something? If I quit for school would I get it?

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Student loans, any scholarships that I can get, and I work part time as an assistant manager at a movie store. I wanted to work this summer in the hospital as an aid or nurse tech or something, but no one ever called me back about my resume. I can't complain though. Any job is better than nothing! Hopefully I'll get more hours since I am done with classes for the summer.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
How do you get unemployment? lol.. Dont you have to be laid off or something? If I quit for school would I get it?
I resigned from my place of employment because it was located 120 miles from my residence, with no alternatives closer to home. I filed for unemployment benefits from the state and was initially rejected. I appealed, and eventually won.
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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

I moved home with relatives while in school so my rent is free. I put $500 a month into the food budget, and pay all other bills. I applied for pell grant, scholarships, and loans which I get. After I pay for school, supplies, and books I live off the rest. We live very frugally, but we (my kids and myself) do alright. It's only for a short time, and then I will think I am rich with my paycheck coming in.

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I went per diem with lo cal hospital. I pays more per hour and the hours are fleixble. I can work anywhere from 4-12 hrs per day. I just tell them what days I want. I also bought a trailer because lot rent is so much cheaper than rent and I have roommates who share the expenses.

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i saved up a lot before school, worked 20 hours during first semester (not at all during 2nd & i won't be working during 3rd), & i'm working full time over breaks. so pretty much i'm living off of my savings & if they run out before the end of school i'll probably take out a small loan to cover the difference.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I worked 12's on Saturday and Sunday and one or two evening shifts during the week. I couldn't have supported myself on CNA wages though. Any chance you can waitress or bartend? Great money, great hours, imo. Good luck with whatever you decide and remember its only for a couple of years.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Trauma/Surgical ICU.

I have made it through two semesters of nursing school working 24+ hours a week. Our hospitals here LOVE hiring nursing students... they are usually very flexible and let you work 4, 8 or 12 hour shifts... So I end up working one or two 4-8 hour shifts during the week... and one or two 12's on the weekend. It's rough. But for those of us who don't have the luxury of not working while in school, it is workable. There is a little bit of downtime during work as well in which I study. And the nurses are WONDERFUL on answering any questions I have with homework. Good luck! Hopefully you'll be able to figure something out!:yeah:

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Specializes in CICU.

I don't work while in school, but I wouldn't call it a luxury. I am living off the money I spent 10 years saving. But, I know its going to be worth it. And, I have made sacrifices and DRASTICALLY changed my lifestyle in order to get this degree.

If my own money runs out, I will go to loans.

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Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).

Check into state assistance. You can get cash and food assistance. Maybe it could at least help you cut down on you work hours without losing as much money. And yes, technically state assistance is a nice way of saying welfare. But it would only be for a couple of years and you would be getting help for a good reason: to get an education. Not to live off of the state for the rest of your life.

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