Need encouragement please

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

Honey....it wil take ALOT of work and sacrifice......but it will be worth it in the long run..........have you though about a student loan??

Good luck

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

Hey Weezy!

Oh honey, I feel for ya. How much longer is your man going to be in school?

I think that you are facing a rather large mountain. I commend you both for going to school to further your respective careers; it is never easy. I hesitate to advise you to get a loan for school, but that might be your best option. Have you explored what scholarships are available through your state? I received several scholarships through my state when I was in school, but that was a million years ago. Does your current facility offer any kind of tuition reimbursement? Are there any hospitals around you that offer tuition forgiveness in exchange for working for them once you get out of school? Have you looked at your school's website to see what scholarships you qualify for? When I was in school, there were little scholarships rewarded for things like nurses focusing on hospice, or nurses who were from a certain part of the city...these scholarships were set up by families of alumni, and $500 from one scholarship and $200 from another can add up. You never know until you research them. Let me know if you want help doing the legwork for this.

I am confident that both you and your fiance have reviewed your budget and cut what you can. Is there anything else that you can think of that you can eliminate from your expenses? Clark Howard has some sound advice regarding finances...things that you would never even be aware of. Go to his webpage and look around for some ideas on how you can further cut your budget. My hubby turned me on to him (that sounds strange...) and I was surprised at how much his advice made sense.

GOOD FOR YOU for going back to school. I am rooting for you Weezy! Please let me know how I can help you.

ShionRN · Apr 12, 2011

It seems as if you have already assessed your situation. I believe you can accomplish anything you put your mind and heart to. My suggestion is this...find a transition program that will fit best with your work schedule, some programs are offered on the weekends. It might take you a little longer than you would like but it will probably be a little less stressful financially. The end results is the same :).

Try not to stress over it... YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! Alot of nurses have been in your shoes, myself included and suceeded, so can you. God Bless.

canchaser, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2011

I had 5 kids 13 to 18. a husband making money like yours. I had to work 1 full time job of 36 hrs a week and another 12 to 24 at agency. I worked around school hours. Mostly on weekends.

RPN_2012 · Apr 12, 2011

What program is that? I've never hear of a LPN to RN program that is only 18 months... wow!

FutureNurse_8708 · Apr 12, 2011

I commend you and your fiance for doing this...going to school and work at the same time. I think you two can do it, you really have to sacrifice some things to get where you need to be. Maybe you can move to a cheaper apartment if possible. But you can try to see what the government can do for you guys...get federal student aid or a student loan...anything and everything will help. And if you can get classes done online, that will be a huge help to you.

Good luck with everything and I know that you two can get through this.

emptynesterRN · Apr 12, 2011

let me get the question correctly...you want to know if it's feasible to pay your bills while going through the program as a full-time student? correct?

They will tell you that it will take a great deal of support while going through the program. Where ever the support comes from, take it. Whether its some financial help from someone in your family, his family, or going without to pay the bills, anywhere you can get it. you won't be buying birthday/christmas gifts or have extra money to do what you've been used to, and you'll buy cheaper food and learn to use less expensive things. you're going to live in your scrubs, work clothes and sweats, so you won't need new clothes. Cut back on things that you pay for now, see what you can absolutely live without.

With both of you in school, you should be getting some good tax refunds. That helped us through also.

We had to sell my husband's mother's diamond ring to pay our bills, buy food, and gas with while he was off work in the winter months. My Mom came over twice when we weren't home and cleaned my house, and loaned me money for books. She bought my nursing pin for me for graduation gift.

My first semester, I worked everyday I didn't have school/clinicals, which meant I did one or the other for 75 days in a row.

Some people take our extra on their student loans to live on (but take much caution with this one because you have to pay it back with interest later, use it as a last resort), my friend sold all of her gold, she got $100 because at one point she had to have gas money to get to school and give her kids lunch money.

Toward the end, when you need money for graduation cap and gown, licensing exam, or other essentials, don't be afraid to ask a family member, because they are going to be so proud of you, they will want to help you succeed. You will be able to pay them back later if need be.

Time will go by fast. Nothing good in life comes easy. It's good that your planning ahead. With all of that said, it was the best 18 months of my life that made me appreciate my self and what I accomplished even more.

Good luck!

manusko · Apr 12, 2011

It comes down to it, then take out the loans you need to survive.

Isabelle49 · Apr 12, 2011

Go for the loans or grants that you can get. Is your fiance's salary at a level where he could get food stamp assistance. Don't be proud - go for it!

j464335 · Apr 13, 2011

I'd apply for ANY gov't assistance available, low income housing,etc... Another thought is giving up the apt. and both of you living in dorms untill your finished with school, the loans and grants will generally cover your room and board along with your tuition and books.... that would free you from work while going through school?? You'll find a way..determination is a powerful thing :)