Pre-Nursing Student in Tulsa - how to pay bills during nursing school

[sgc29]

Hi Everyone!

It's been quite a while since I've posted on here. I live in Tulsa, OK and I'm now 35 years old. Several years ago I was close to starting my pre-reqs at Tulsa Community College and then planned on attending nursing school. Let's just say life happened ( I went through some VERY, VERY hard times) and it never ended up happening. This was close to 6 years ago.

For years I just thought it wasn't meant to be and then when I fell on really hard times, thought that again as well. What it boils down to is I truly, truly love helping people. It wasn't until I got a part-time job doing in-home senior care as a caregiver that I really again realized how much I want to be a nurse. I wish I had originally majored in this when I went to college the first time.

Now, I'm back and trying to figure out how to gets things started again. My biggest concern right now and is -

Question #1: HOW TO SUPPORT MYSELF DURING SCHOOL.

Basically, I'm a single woman, live on my own, have to support myself (rent, car, food, utilities,etc) completely on my own. This was really the main thing that kept me from being able to start school before. I'm already in the process of paying off all my debts (except for my car and student loans), in a year plan on renting a house and getting a roommate (I'm locked into an apt least right now until next October) and reducing my expenses.

Any advice?

Specifically from any nurses in Tulsa who were in a very similar situation and how they made it work? It's kind of scary, you know?

Second question - BEST NURSING SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN TULSA OR SURROUNDING AREAS IN OKLAHOMA?

Before, I was going to go to TCC. I had enrolled, applied for financial aid, met with an adviser and was set to start my pre-reqs. Is this still one of the best nursing programs in OK?

Third question - for those of you like me who have a B.A. in a completely unrelated discipline (my current B.A. is in Public Relations), who do your rework your resume to apply for CNA jobs or other hospital jobs to do while in school?

I know there is a way to do this and I know many in my situation have before, just need to figure out how to do it.

Thank you for your advice!

Stephanie