School or House?

[02nurse]

Im married 10 years 3 kids and 35 years old. I Had to close my construction business do the the economic problems, which ultimately forced me to sell my home. Now I am barely making ends meet as a LVN. I am currently doing Online Louisiana State BSN program but it would take me 3-4 more years to complete. I have a chance to get into a bridge LVN to RN program that will be a year commitment. The school is accelerated and i would not be able to work. But after graduation i would make enough money to live comfortably. I do have money from the sell of my home. The money is enough to sustain my family during the year I am in school.

Question:

Should I go Bridge program and use up all our $ to gain a better job in one year?

Pros - better job w/increase pay....Cons - No $$ to buy a home, will have to rent an save.

OR

Should I Not go to school and save $ for new house.

Pros - Buy home for family Cons - Still struggling to make ends meet for at least 3 more years.

Thanks for any advice

[sasha2lady]

Tough one....I would probably go on to school for the year and get it out of the way and live tight for that time..rent or live with family...whatever you can do. then when you finish up....make your money and go from there. You might not get this opportunity again, so take it while you can.

[Jules A, MSN]

I'd do the LPN to ADN bridge program and work, at least part-time. Most of us did.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I'd do the LPN to ADN bridge program and work, at least part-time. Most of us did.

I agree..

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work full-time weekends as an LVN while attending an LPN-to-RN bridge ADN program. It is definitely manageable.

Also, I would wait to make any big-ticket purchases such as a house until school is completed. While you are in school, you can rent the same house in a favorite neighborhood without worrying about a down payment, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, upkeep, maintenance, etc. All you'd have to pay is the rent.

Although I'm a homeowner, I wish I could turn back the hands of time because I envy the freedom and mobility that renters have. They can go anywhere in the country (or world) after they've given notice to their landlords, while many homeowners are stuck with an illiquid asset that cannot always be sold easily: their houses.

[systoly]

Just a suggestion: I like your pros and cons thingy, but I'd take it further. Make a list with pros and cons for each individual family member as each person will probably be affected in different ways. Ask each family member to make such a list. If nothing else, you might get a better idea on where everyone's heart is.

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

I will be 29 in January. I have been married 9 years. I just graduated with my BSN in May and my husband and I closed on our first house last month. We got the loan with his income alone so all my money is going to savings for now. Its really nice not feeling strapped for cash. My husband is a contractor and works for himself; if he gets hurt and can not work I can easily make the house payment alone, there is no way I could have done that before nursing school. While in school I never had to stress about a mortgage or think about quiting and going back to work to make ends meet. Finish school and then buy your home.