Nursing school almost brought to a halt! (long)

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello Allnurses friends!

I have 2 semesters left before I am able to graduate.

When I first applied to school to begin working on my nursing degree, I knew that I really couldn't afford childcare...no way, no how. But because my 2 stepchildren were living with their mother at the time (even though my husband has legal custody) and one of my daughters had been abducted by her biological father...I was able to pay the $70/wk fee that my home daycare provider charged for my first two semesters because we only had 4 family members to clothe and feed.

During my 2nd semester I got wind of a wonderful program at my school that pays for childcare. I was accepted into that program and it couldn't have happened at a better time because my husband had just received news that "our" ex-wife wasn't caring for the children as she should have been. (potato chips for dinner, un-combed hair etc...) Needless to say, we went to pick them up immediately. (Their Mom's only concern was how did we find out!) The only drawback to the program was that I had to change childcare providers because the person I was using wasn't state certified. I changed providers and my son stayed there for six semesters including summers.

Last December my lawyer got a tip on my daughter's location and we brought her home after 3 long years of not being able to see or talk to her.

(That's a whole post in itself....)

I don't know if you've been counting, but that means that now we have 7 family members and 1 income. Last week I received a letter from the childcare grant director saying that I've been dropped from the program because they simply do not have enough money to cover everyone's expenses. I went to the department of social services and they have a waiting list out of this world and told me that there was no way I would be approved to go to school this fall. They gave me a referral to a program that would cover 30 to 60 days of childcare. Even with my Pell refund that wouldn't be enough to cover the whole semester.

I was hysterical. Here I am with only 2 semesters left of what has been a very long road to reach my lifetime goal...and I may not meet that goal because I can't afford childcare?

Oh....but I forgot about something! In June, I applied for a student loan at the suggestion of my husband because we needed the money (or so we thought) to cover summer school expenses. I hadn't heard anything about the loan for summer and we had found a way to handle it through those high interest payday loans. I wondered...did I mistakenly apply for Fall semester???? I called the Stafford loan people and that's exactly what I did!

You wanna know what really gets me? My semester is 16 weeks and daycare is now $100/wk. I was awarded $1688 for Fall and Spring. Enough to cover my expenses with a little change to spare!

Not that I didn't know it before...but

I know the Lord is with me

He is AWESOME!!!!

~Camkib RN2B

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Specializes in Cardiology.
Not that I didn't know it before...but

I know the Lord is with me

He is AWESOME!!!!

~Camkib RN2B

You are so right! I am so happy everything was able to work out for you.

...Jennifer...

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:) The power is always there, we just have to figure out how to use it...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Awesome. Love it when things work out that way. Good luck in school! Glad you're together with your kids too!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I am so glad that things worked out in a positive way, and you can continue. I very much hear your frustrations regarding childcare in our country - it's ridiculous.

I'm also glad to hear your daughter is safely back in your arms. :)

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Getting your daughter back must be the best news on Earth. The financial aid thing too. What a nice package of blessings!

Kathy

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Have you googled for financial aid sources in your state? Some regions have money set aside just for nursing students.

Another alternative I'll PM you about. Don't want to start a big ole hairy debate! LOL

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glad you got all your kids back under one roof. :) that in itself is a blessing. so happy it is working out for you to continue school, as well. it can be so frustraiting to be so close to completing something so important and something comes along & stops it. looks like god is looking out for you. i always say if it's meant to be, it'll happen. good luck!!!

michelle

mom to 2, ages 5 & 2

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Specializes in ER.

Thanks for sharing that inspirational story. I am so happy for you, that your daughter is safely home, and things worked out!

When I started school my mom bought me a mug that says "Good Morning, this is GOD! I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help- so have a good day. I love you!" Then it has 1 Peter 5:7- Casting all your care upon him:for he careth for you.

Your story made me think of my mug, and how days when things get so hard, I try to remember to have faith! Congratulations, also, on being two semesters away from fulfilling your dream of being a nurse!

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I'm happy for you too.... some people will let roadblocks get in the way of their future, make excuses of why they CAN'T do it, etc.... SO, way to go! For finding a way to make it work, cause if you want something badly enough, you do what you have to!! I had to pay for my kids daycare when I got my associates degree because my exhusband decided to go the deadbeat route, so we survived in those student loans and my income... it was hard and paying them back stinks, but it was worth it!

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Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

That is awesome! He is GOOD!

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Camkib,

You are absolutely right.....Congratulations...I am sooooo happy for you.

Fatima

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