Need advice/help with how to survive during lpn school??

[SoontoBeNurseNicky]

Hi There,

Well, heres my story...I had to withdraw in Sept. 08' from a lpn program in Tennessee.I am a California native, and moved to, and set up shop in Tennessee specifically to get into some type of nursing program. (california is horrible when it comes to Waitlists even for lvn programs or charging up to $30,000 for private schools) At that time I was offered very little financial aid, and was in a bad financial /family situation all together(3 bald tires driving 2 1/2 hours round-trip to school and my mom was sick at the time with undiagnosed lupus in California) So moral of my story, I head back west ,broken hearted that I couldn't finish my program that I set out to do.

So a year later I have recently reapplied, and find out in a few weeks if I am accepted back into the program. Im in California currently, but know that this years financial aid reward would cover the whole program and then some...All im concerned with now is housing and food. I can work part-time, but need a private student loan. The school does not participate in the Federal student loan program. I have Bad credi(recent bankruptcy), but My parents may be willing to co-sign. I just need a few thousand dollars to get me started with a little apartment and then I can try for round 2 on this whole nursing thing. Im very determined to finish this! Please let me know if anyone has any advice on getting through nursing school on scraps or any student loans that I may be able to apply for. Thanks so Much!!

[Roxyann57]

congrats on getting in to the lpn program. I am going to school full time and working part time. it's too much. i cut my hours back to 5-10/wk because with studying and everything it is way too much to try. i mean i have bills i have to pay, but right now my main concern is school. try not to take on too much, you want to suceed!

[kimmyj74]

Let me tell you what I did to make it financially through school. I have a husband who works and 2 kids in school. My husdand's check pays for house and his car payment. I am responsible for EVERYTHING else.

So I got a part-time job while in school. It was hard and half way through I had to quit because it was too much. I also called all my utilities (phone, cable, internet, etc.) and got rid of any extras I could to lower my bills. Then we lived as cheaply as possible. No going out for dinners, free movies at the library, car pooling any chance I could, etc.

It has been a very hard long year. My husband even got layed off from work. But we made it through. It's amazing how little money you can live on when you get used to it. If you can, and are willing, try to get some State Aid (i.e. food stamps, etc.) That may be hard for some people to do but I looked at it as "I have worked all my life and it is a temporary thing, so take advantage if you can".

Good luck and I hope this helped.

[KAYBDT6, BSN, RN]

Dedication and Hardwork!!