Hi there, I'm a new member on this site but I've been reading posts on here for a long time. Well, my situation is, I'm 17 and I am a full time Dual Enrollment student at a community college taking my nursing pre-reqs (pretty much instead of taking my senior year classes at my high school). I have been accepted into 3 nursing programs - waiting on 3 more answers to decide where I want to go.
I was lucky enough to get a scholarship that will cover all of my tuition for nursing school, and I intend on applying for more and grants and such, so it is not the actual nursing school costs that worry me.
I would really like to move out as soon as possible. My home life is not a good situation, I've been working almost full time since I was in 8th grade and pretty much taking care of all of my living costs along with an unstable, addicted parent, besides the mortgage. So please no answers that I simply won't be able to move out cause I'm too young and don't know the responsibilities. At this point, moving out would be the best choice for my mental well-being. What I'm asking is if it is possible to do while in Nursing school?
I work part time as a pca and in childcare along with school. I've paid for this years entire tuition, insurance, and everything no problem, but obviously I would try to get even better work to move out. However, is it possible to hold a good job while going to school?
Any suggestions on good jobs to search for that could work with nursing school, and cheapest independent living situations? I live in a small town in Western Mass, and I was honestly maybe looking at renting a mobile home while in school, any other suggestions? My boyfriend may also move in with me and split costs, either that or I could also maybe look for a roommate. So any suggestions? If there are any answers thank you so much, I would really appreciate it.!
Hi Selena! I just wanted to say it is possible. I am a full-time nursing student-taking 14 hours this semester, have two children (7 and 11), and work four nights a week 10-4 am. On top of that I have no help--I pay for the sitter, live alone in a nice house and drive a nice car. Is it hard? Hell yes...but its worth it. I sleep on average 4-6 hours a night, on Sunday my kids go to their dads until evening and I sleep most of the day. With no kids, you got this girl!! :) Look at waitressing or working the front desk at hotels or gyms. Night shifts will be your friend on your own...maybe not as late as mine :) Good luck!
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Try to cut down bills as much as possible before school. I work full time while in school and then do a full 12 hour clinical day on Saturdays. It is rough but I will be done eventually and have my degree to show for it. I have two kids 8 & 9 so I have no choice. I pay for everything. I also have a great support system in my parents and my boyfriend. Luckily my job pays well since I am already a LPN. That program was a struggle but even then I did home health full time as a CNA. It's not easy at all but unless everything is being paid for you then it's the only option.
People definitely make it work. I would apply for as many scholarships and grants as humanly possible (free money!!!), get a cheap room somewhere, and pinch pennies as best you can so you don't have to rack up student loan debt (avoid student loans if at all possible, or only take out what you ABSOLUTELY HAVE to).
I agree about avoiding living with your boyfriend- moving in together should be something you do by CHOICE, not by CIRCUMSTANCE. That's generally a recipe for disaster. Wait until it happens naturally and because you WANT to.
You sound like a very determined and together young woman who wants to break the cycle of what she's grown up with, and I commend you. Good luck with your pursuit!!
Everyone has given you awesome advice. I would like to add that you should seriously look into waitressing (at a GOOD place). Even at Perkins (where I started) I made way more than I would have at an hourly job. Waitressing can have a very flexible schedule and you leave with cash in hand every night. Sometimes it's really hard and sometimes it sucks, but I think it has given me a great base of skill for working with people (which is what nursing is). Even if you want a different job, you could always work as a waitress on the weekends only and bring home an extra $150-200 to help.
Oh - I work about 5-6 hours a shift, 5 days a week. I have been living on my own for 3 years and all of it paid for with tips. I also pay my utilities, cell phone and a car payment for a nice car. So don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. It may take you a while to become "comfortable," but you can definitely "get by."
I also recommend looking for someone nice (normal) who is just renting a room out or a roommate (also someone normal). It's definitely easier to be roommates with someone you are already friends with. Best wishes to you. You're young, but your post says "I got this." And you do.
Just for a record on the boyfriend note, I appreciate all the advice on that but that's not really a concern at all here, so no worries, I just mentioned that as though I'll either have him or maybe a roommate to split costs with in the future. That's all, but again I can't believe such nice people are taking their time out to give me some great advice that I really needed here. I was really worried if a work schedule would be possible at all with how crazy and rigorous the nursing school schedule was but it's great to know that there are certainly means by which it is possible. I really can't explain how much this truly helps me out and reassures my plans.
Nurse2b9742-No worries, no child at the moment but if that were my situation that is some great, kind advice! And that's unfortunate that they didn't have it then but hey, 36 or 20, what you're doing is still awesome. Thanks!
Yes, it is definitely doable. I am a single mom and go to school full time and will be in nursing school in the fall. Although I don't have to get a job right now, my son travels for judo almost every weekend and has practice 4 nights a week so it's kind of like a job. I hit the ground running every Monday morning a 6:30 AM. Sometimes we don't even get back from a tournament until 4 in the morning on a Monday and I am up 2 hours later. It just matters how much you want it that's all. If you want it, you will do whatever you can to get it.
Here are my thoughts on renting a mobile home. Don't. I would look for an apartment in a complex. Or if you rent a mobile home make sure it is in a park. Here is why, there is a lot of work that comes with a home. Especially with a mobile home because stuff breaks more easily in them. I know this because I grew up in one. When I was your age I lived in apartments so someone was always on call to fix stuff and take care of stuff that goes wrong. If you rent a house or a mobile home that is not in a park, you could end with a crappy landlord who won't fix stuff in a timely manner. With working and school you just won't have the time to take care of things on your own. I am constantly calling my ex to come over and fix stuff at my house now, because I don't have the time to deal with it.
As far as the boyfriend or roommate option, make sure even if it is your boyfriend you have some kind of lease and understanding of how things will be paid and what stuff is whose. I lived with my ex-fiance when I was 18 and when we broke up it was a mess. He destroyed my credit and took most of my stuff that I had paid for. It was an expensive lesson to learn but I learned it the hard way.
I have to first commend you - you sound like you've got it all together, and that would be impressive for someone a decade older than you. Good for you!
Now, I have a suggestion that hasn't been made yet. Since you already have PCA/PCT experience, I would capitalize on that and see if you can find a live-in position with an older person who needs household/transportation assistance. I had a friend in college who lived with an older woman not far from campus. The woman could no longer drive, and needed assisted-living type help (washing clothes, light housekeeping, keeping meds straight, meals cooked etc) In exchange for room and board and a small stipend, my friend did those things for her. She found the job through the campus career office (the woman's family had called the college to see if any students were interested) so I'm not sure how'd you'd go about trying to find a job like this...an ad in a local paper maybe?
Heathermaizey-Ah thank you for sharing your experience, definitely the kind of specific help I was looking for. Thank you!
And 4boysmama- Thank you, that's very kind of you to say! That's an option I had never really looked into before(so many PCA positions get scooped up so quickly right now around here, especially when you're 17 hah) I'll definitely look into something similar like that. Thanks again!
Hi there, I just wanted to chime in that I also think it's doable. You could look into sublets, getting a roommate, renting a room from someone, etc. Maybe renting a room would be best, especially if it's from an older couple or a family. That way it's possibly more likely it'll be quieter than renting with other college students. Also not to be a negative nelly, but try and not put yourself in a situation where you are dependent on anybody else for your housing than yourself. A lot of things happen in relationships, you don't want to be in the lurch, in a situation where suddenly you have to pay all the rent when you thought you'd only be paying half.
Good luck, you are doing a great job so far and you have a great head on your shoulders!
Shayboo
18 Posts
Hi Selena! I just wanted to say it is possible. I am a full-time nursing student-taking 14 hours this semester, have two children (7 and 11), and work four nights a week 10-4 am. On top of that I have no help--I pay for the sitter, live alone in a nice house and drive a nice car. Is it hard? Hell yes...but its worth it. I sleep on average 4-6 hours a night, on Sunday my kids go to their dads until evening and I sleep most of the day. With no kids, you got this girl!! :) Look at waitressing or working the front desk at hotels or gyms. Night shifts will be your friend on your own...maybe not as late as mine :) Good luck!