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

allnurses Guide · Feb 27, 2010

Savings, loans, scholarships and a part time job that pays pretty well. I also live debt-free and have for years though and that really helps. The only regular debt payment I have is my house. I don't finance vehicles, I don't use credit cards. I have enough in savings to cover the cost of my student loans, but in case I get an employer who will pay them off, taking out loans made more sense than spending my savings up front. If that doesn't happen I will simply pay the loans off myself after graduation - again, that whole "debt-free" thing.

I have figured out what days the local grocery stores put things in the mark down bin. I have gotten good at finding bargains there, such as a 5 lb bag of potatoes (or two or three of those bags) for a buck, other fruits or veggies grouped together and put out for a buck, the fancy sourdough bread marked down to 1.25, a gallon of milk for $1.20 (it is always good for two weeks past the expiration date that prompted them to put it on clearance), sour cream for $.50 etc. I shop the loss leaders (ads) for meat and stock my freezer when things like chicken breasts go down to $.89 a pound for bone in, $1.89 for boneless skinless. And then I make sure I cook out of my freezer, not go out to eat, not buy something new to make that night because I forgot to thaw something out. I plan leftovers into my cooking as well so that the busiest nights there is something easy to warm up.

Every little bit helps.

mammac5 · Feb 27, 2010

It's tough, I won't lie. I am married and so Hubby is able to handle the bills back home (I had to relocate for one year for school) since we purchased a home years ago that we could afford on only his income. One more payment on the car (YEAH!). No credit card debt.

I received some scholarship funds and also took out student loans to cover (very expensive!) tuition and basic, basic, basic living expenses. I basically eat, keep myself warm and clean, and live in a safe part of town. I don't go out to restaurants except when Hubby comes to visit. I don't party. I don't shop for clothes, shoes, etc. Last week I thought twice when shopping for facial moisturizer! I need some clothes and I'd really love some new makeup...too bad, those things will just have to wait.

guiltysins · Feb 28, 2010

I start nursing school this fall and don't plan to work. I'd have trouble working anyway because financial aid literally has me in a choke hold. They are paying entirely for my school and the only thing I've had to pay for out of pocket (for right now) are my books and my school is 25k/year. So the minute I get a job and start having my own money, my financial aid will slowly begin to dwindle down and I can't afford this school on my own.

Aside from financial aid though, I honestly don't think I could juggle going to school and working. My nursing schedule will be M-Th 8-4 and I plan to get the bulk of my studying done on the weekend since all of the nursing classes are once a week.

So basically, I'm broke throughout the year, my parents give me money to pay for everything I need for nursing school and transportation but I don't have any spending money and that's fine for me. I plan to work during the summer though.