Please tell me it is possible, and how?

[ErikEverhard]

I finished up a degree in Information Systems about a year ago, and guess what....there are no jobs. That is okay because I decided I wanted to have a career in the medical field as a respiratory therapist, and this May I will start the program. My question is for anyone going to be a nurse or whatever how do you do it. I mean how do you pay the rent and bills and at the same time go to school and work clinicals. I am trying to find a job now and there is nothing out there. If there is there are 12 hr factory jobs that pay you minium wage, and no way you could work those and go to school.

I mean what do you guys do? Take any job there is no matter what as long as it works around your schedule? I am in my 30s.

[mahdaw]

I took loans and worked part time here and there and didn't start paying my loan until I graduated. I chose a little more loan to ease up the stress. Also finding scholarship is your other choice

good luck

[SoulSpirit_Rn]

I stopped reading halfway through your post (sorry) but Im sad to tell you it is the same issue in the nursing profession; lack of jobs. Seriously do some research before you invest your time to get the same results.

[tishluvnc]

Ah ha! but they say opportunities are wonderful for home health aids and cna's, but wow no pay. I've done it for years while trying to get a BA. I'm proud I will be finished with my degree in 4 months, but now have no idea where to go with a degree in social science. I would have thought a degree in IT would be excellent. Everyone has a story.

[jpaul]

I am currently enrolled in nursing school and will complete in 5 months. There are many different financial stories for my classmates and myself; everything from totally depending on spouses to working 4 nights a week bartending (which seems to pay well for those students). We have a student who takes out a private loan to cover living expenses while in school; I myself work part time (20 hours a week maximum). During our school breaks, most students work as many hours as they can to make up for the hours they cannot work during the school week. It is difficult, and it is a sacrifice and you need to research the hiring rate of new grad respiratory therapists. You may also want to look to relocating after if the opportunities are not available where you are.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I went back to school at 31 for my BSN. It took me 5 years because I had a year of prerequisites. I worked also. If you want it bad enough, it is possible. The time goes fast.