Nurses as sole breadwinners

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 18, 2008

I don't see why it couldn't work if you plan carefully. The best situation would be to pay off all your bills, be sure you have good reliable transportation, and save as much as possible to cover those unexpected expenses.

Before he starts into school, maybe one or the both of you can work extra hours or a second job to get some of those things accomplished. You'll need a plan, and a budget, and to stay out of debt altogether. If he has to take out student loans for med school, then get only what he absolutely has to have to pay for school.

I do think that if the two of you don't give it a try, you'll probably always regret it.

Good luck!

emnicams · Mar 18, 2008

I am a divorced mom to a 4 y/o. My salary makes things very doable. (Child support is a joke, btw, it doesn't even fully pay for childcare, I still owe $110/month after what he pays). Anyway, I am by no means wealthy but we are comfortable. We have a lovely 2 BR/2BA apartment, I bought my dream car (2008 Toyota Prius), and even after all the other monthly expenses I have enough left over for my savings account and just having fun with. It helps that I have no credit card debt or school loans, though. I also love that I can add an extra day at work any time I need it (working 4 days rather than 3). :)

RedRobin8 · Mar 18, 2008

"I'll break some stuff down in a minute, but bottom line, I figured out that I was able to live fairly comfortably on $1000/month. That is how much it cost to pay my rent, eat & "entertain" myself. These were my regular bills:

Something else that might be helpful: I worked as a CNA for 2 years & I remember my income being around $30,000/year ($10.00/hour, 40+ hours/week) & I was able to survive just fine on that with the same bills that I listed above."

JessieRN,

It may have been just a typo, but for your figuring purposes, $10.00 per hour at 40 hours per week (no overtime) comes out to $20,800 gross annually.

Kudos to you for the discipline to stick to a budget! :up:

RNfromMN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

Something else that might be helpful: I worked as a CNA for 2 years & I remember my income being around $30,000/year ($10.00/hour, 40+ hours/week) & I was able to survive just fine on that with the same bills that I listed above.

I worked a lot of overtime:bugeyes: - I remember we had just a ton of call-ins & I seemed to be just about the only aide on the floor that didn't have kids or a family to go home to at night, so I never really minded staying.

CHATSDALE · Mar 18, 2008

i knew an lpn whose husband was trying to get disability and she was the sole breadwinner

he was however able to keep house clean and kids with homework, laundry etc but if both of you are tired from working/studing this might pose a problem

good luck to you, this looks like the time to act if this is what you two really want

RN1989 · Mar 18, 2008

It is possible but you need to understand going in that your lives will drastically change. You will not be able to just buy anything at anytime anymore. You won't be able to get a soda on a hot day because all those $1.29 drinks add up quickly. Eating out won't be happening very often. You will not be able to go shopping just because you are tired of what you are wearing. Many things that you don't even think about will have to go because all those cheap little things add up quickly to drain your checking account. Once you have been accustomed to a particular lifestyle, it takes great effort to scale back. You must be conscious at all times of everything that you are spending.

You must also realize that you will have increased expenses for things that the student loans for med school won't cover. Your husband will also be unavailable most of the time and for all those years you will essentially be a single parent. If he helps any around the house you can probably kiss it goodbye once he is in school.

Supporting your spouse through something like this is not for the faint of heart. That is why the alcoholism and divorce rates are high among couples doing this. It is very difficult to learn to be without the money you were accustomed to while having so much responsiblity on your shoulders. After all, you won't be able to just quit your job and hope for a better one to come along when things at work get bad and you are burnt out. You will be focused on one thing - making the money. You won't be able to take jobs that you like or jobs that would be helpful for your career. You will have to have a job that gives you the most money regardless of whether you like the job or not.

Yes, it can be done. But it is extremely difficult on a relationship. Have all your ducks in a row and be ready to stick it out for the long haul no matter what.

Peri · Mar 18, 2008

I thought that I wouldn't be able to survive monetarily without my abusive husbands financial input, but it is amazing how, when you make your mind up to something, all the pieces fall into place.

I divorced my abusive husband and basically brought up my daughter without him.

I did have a lot of family help as my mum and my sister were unpaid sitters whilst I was working full time.

If you believe that you two can do it (and you have worked your money out - which is what convinced me that I could do this) then go for it.

I have a question - If you don't try, will you regret it in the future?

If it doesn't pan out can your husband get another job?

jessiern, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

Thanks to all the responses I have gotten so quickly. Didn't expect quite so many! I'd tell you guys that you are great, but you already know that. Thanks a bunch for the support, and I'll keep you guys updated on what we decide!

jessiern, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2008

I have a question - If you don't try, will you regret it in the future?
If it doesn't pan out can your husband get another job?

That is my fear, that in the future he would regret it. Although, we are in a place where I feel we would be happy and have a great life either way it goes, becuase he is happy with his current profession. This has just always been his dream. And we do plan on him keeping his PT liscense unitl he is finished with medschool, just incase something happens.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Mar 18, 2008

Make sure your debts are paid up, you have some savings, and that you have health insurance--and a VERY effective form of birth control!

At one point, my DH and two young sons lived on 18,000 a year (late 88-91) and some savings. The savings ran out the week I graduated as a BSN and started work..we went to a lot of parks, free concerts, bike rides..and once a month, the $1 movies!!

Good luck--talk, talk, TALK it out, run the numbers, and trust your hearts.:redbeathe

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 18, 2008

I have seen CNAs as sole breadwinners that somehow make it. When I think of how much I used to make, yet, I paid for my rent, phone, credit cards and had a social life, I cannot comprehend how I survived that long and not did so bad. It can be done.

Now, I am an LPN, my mother left me a mortgage free home when she died. I do live with my husband who helps me. Once my bills are paid off, or lowered, I can do okay alone. My son is 21 years old and doesn't need me as much as when he was younger. Anything can be done with sheer will.

TheBean · Mar 19, 2008

Before I started nursing school, my husband was a grad student and I was in the sole breadwinner. I worked in animal welfare--translation: the bottom of the barrel in non-profit work.

Not only did I put hubby through grad school, but I bought a house, paid off the car, and we had cable too. Go me :yeah:

You can do it. The starting salary of a nurse is more than twice my salary was. You just have to be very careful of your finances...and, as BlueRidgeRN said, have reliable birth control. It already sounds like you have a good support system. Good luck! :redpinkhe