money to live on while in school

diamondmeadows, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

My husband and I went to college at the same time, and we paid for it through a combination of part-time work, Pell grants, Stafford loans, and very frugal living.

However, the main reason I am posting this is to encourage you to work as a nursing assistant at least part time or PRN while you are in school. If you don't feel that you can commit to that, then volunteer at a hospital. You will gain valuable experience, make useful contacts, and build your resume in preparation for your job search. I really hope that employment prospects will improve by the time you graduate, but you must not count on it. Do what you can now to give yourself the best possible chance of securing your first job. Find opportunities to make yourself stand out.

I did not work in health care during school, and I am now in a position where I have to try to build my resume as an unemployed new grad, which is much more difficult. I thought that focusing on my grades was the right thing to do, but it wasn't enough. No one cares that I graduated Summa Cum Laude and had top HESI scores. I'm not saying that grades don't matter, because I still think they do, but I wish I could go back in time and also work as a CNA and volunteer. Now, seventeen months after graduation, I'm still looking for my first nursing position.

Good luck!

subzer0 · Oct 14, 2010

I was one of those people who took out a loan since that was the only way I'd ever be able to go to college. I was the first in my family to attend and actually finish college. However, I knew a lot of people who worked full-time and attended my university full time as well. So it can be done. If you've already finished your first semester as a nursing student, perhaps you can get a per-diem job as a cna or maybe look into becoming a home health aide or home health companion. It stinks but the only way to not work if you don't have a spouse or parents you can depend on is to take out loans or to go part time while you work full time to pay your way through school. You can also do the 1st 2 years at a community college, that'll cut costs. Good luck.

True that...

its gonna be tough. Goodluck

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

I saved and saved. Paid cold hard cash for this my second degree. Lived cheap... I like to call it "camping" LOL. I worked and took prereqs until I entered the nursing program, then conflicts with my Doc's schedule, so I quit and did just school. I knew this might happen, thus the money I was saving for such a case. HOWEVER, never thought it would take me so long to find a job once licensed.... been living on the small padding I have left which, sucks.

rokbe, LPN, LVN · Oct 14, 2010

I saved and saved. Paid cold hard cash for this my second degree. Lived cheap... I like to call it "camping" LOL. I worked and took prereqs until I entered the nursing program, then conflicts with my Doc's schedule, so I quit and did just school. I knew this might happen, thus the money I was saving for such a case. HOWEVER, never thought it would take me so long to find a job once licensed.... been living on the small padding I have left which, sucks.

What does DOC mean???

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

What does DOC mean???

Ummm......doctor?

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2010

Thank god I'm still "young" (22) and am still able to live at home! That doesn't mean I have my own expenses. Unfortunately, mommy won't pay for my school so I had to take loans out... without them, I wouldn't be going to school. As far as living expenses (because mommy doesn't provide most of those either... aside from rent, utilities, etc... I usually pay HER a cut of my pay when I get paid so I can still live there) I currently get unemployment, but I'm still looking for a job so I can save up to buy a car.

I guess I have it "good" compared to some nursing students, and for that I am glad! But I don't have it good in regards to transportation which is just as, if not more important.

erikab987 · Oct 15, 2010

If I were you, I would not publicize your method of financing your education. What you are doing is an abuse of the unemployment system. How are you handling the mandatory job applications that are required to continue your benefits?

Actually, I don't know what state you're in, but there are a few states which offer continuing education UI waivers (I know NY is one of them). You don't have to report any job searches as long as you are attending school as required; you can legally collect unemployment while being in school. And reporting being "laid off" was not the responsibility of the employee. Any employee, even one who quit their job can file for unemployment. It is the responsibility of the employer to report severance accurately.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

I'm completely with in my rights as a citizen to collect unemployment while I attend school.

The state I'm in DOES allow students to collect as long as they're NOT full time. In fact this prevented me from getting some of my benefits because I DID tell them I was in school and I was initially denied... which resulted in me going into the office directly. Once I spoke with someone and told them my situation, they told me since I wasn't full time that I still qualified. I didn't commit any violations or fraud and I'm collecting within the legal parameters of my situation so I don't see the issue.

Also, I'm not financing my education through unemployment, I'm financing it by taking out loans. :)

But yeah I am thankful and like I mentioned in my other post, I DON'T wanna rely on unemployment to substantiate my income, I'd rather have a job and do it the "regular way." But you guys should know first hand how the economy is.

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

So are you currently in your nursing program? Or are you just taking prereqs. Does your nursing program consider you a full time student? Or does your colleg/state set a certain amount of hours as being "full-time student". Usually when on unemployment you must demonstrate that you've been looking for work on a full time basis.

Spikey9001, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2010

In the nursing program taking nursing courses...

In my state, they go by amount of credits (anything less than 12 is part time). I have 8 credits so I'm considered a part time student.