Seeking advice if nursing is the right path!

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Hi, I'm 26 years old. I have a Bachelor's degree in a field that doesn't pertain to health care. I just got accepted into nursing school (ADN program). I have been in nursing school before a long time ago and dropped out of the program. So I know that nursing school is no joke, and you must be serious if you sign up for it! My concern is if I should take the nursing route again. I'm at the age I'm ready to get married, and I want to be self sufficient. I just wanted to know of ways that I could be able to support myself while I"m in school. I want to be able to afford a nice apartment, pay the bills I have, and have some free time for socializing or dating. Is there someone who could give me advice on ways to pay off debt, be able to work, and still have time to study. Also, do you suggest for me, at my age, to go back and try this nursing gig again? My family has become fustrated with this because I have been in school for a long period of time working on my bachelor's degree, and I have been in nursing school before and I wasn't serious about it. Should I go on and do this program while I"m young and not married at the moment, or should I just leave it alone? Any advice will help because I don't want to make a decision that I will regret! Also, advice from someone who has been in a similar situation would be appreciated! THANKS! :thankya:

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Do you want to be a nurse? Honestly, I could give you advice all day long, but really it just boils down to is nursing what you really want to do? If it's a passion/dream or yours then heck yeah go for it. If it's just something your doing because you don't have any other ideas or whatever, then maybe you should think about it some more before you commit time and money into something you'll later regret.

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Well, back in the day I really wanted to do nursing. It is just right now, I have bills I need to pay off. Also, I don't want to stay with family members while I'm in school. I want my own place, and be able to be self sufficient. I know that nursing school requires a lot of time and was wondering how many hours I could work on a job while in school. Yes, I understand that I need to be serious about actually doing this because you have to dedicate two years to this program. I guess honestly I would have to make this decision on my own because no one can give me advice what to do. I guess what I'm looking for is someone to tell me either YES nursing is worth dedicating two years or NO it is not worth it! LOL :D What types of jobs do you suggest, while you are in school, that would provide enough income to cover personal expenses and still leave free time to study?

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I don't know if my input will matter much. I am only 21 and I will be going into the nursing program this fall. I agree with domal02 -- "If it's a passion/dream or yours then heck yeah go for it. If it's just something your doing because you don't have any other ideas or whatever, then maybe you should think about it some more before you commit time and money into something you'll later regret." I've gone through the similar dilemma. I feel like I've spent my entire youth with my head inside my books. I've questioned whether nursing is a path I want to take right now or if I should wait and enjoy my youth while I still have it. A lot of my friends aren't in school and they have all this free time to do whatever they want while I'm trying to find time in the day just to eat. "Also, do you suggest for me, at my age, to go back and try this nursing gig again?" The way I see it... nursing is something that can sustain your entire your future. You're still young and you have so many years ahead of you. You may not be able to afford nice things while your in the nursing program but once your done you can have all the nice things you want. If this is something you really want to do, the sacrifices you will have to make while in the program won't seem so bad. I would love to have a new car or go on a vacation but all the money I'm making is going towards school and rent and car insurance and all those other lovely life expenses. But nursing is something I really really want to do. I'm so thrilled to have been excepted into the nursing program that it doesn't really matter that my car may not be as nice as I'd like or that the farthest I'll probably get to travel for the next two years are to my clinicals. And another thing, you'd be surprised how much financial assistance is out there. It may take some digging around but if you start early you may not have to pay a single penny for college. If you have any other questions feel free to ask :D

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I think that going to nursing school is going to increase your debt. I hope you think hard about a plan to get all this debt paid off. I strongly suggest that socializing and dating be cut to the bone because I don't think you can financially afford either. How you got into this financial mess at such a young age is your business, but I think you ought to see a financial adviser and listen to what they suggest.

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Well, nursing takes a lot of your time and you will have to put a lot of what you want (for a couple years) on hold. That is just the way it is. People do work during nursing school...but not penthouse suite level :) School is priority since you are in the business of saving lives...but since you may have other things going on financially...you will have to weigh that into consideration.

Nursing school = sacrifice. But it is a good sacrifice. Only you can answer if it is truly what you want! Good luck.

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I think that going to nursing school is going to increase your debt. I hope you think hard about a plan to get all this debt paid off. I strongly suggest that socializing and dating be cut to the bone because I don't think you can financially afford either. How you got into this financial mess at such a young age is your business, but I think you ought to see a financial adviser and listen to what they suggest.

Well, nursing school is not going to be any added debt. I found a way to get the nursing program paid for. When I say expenses, I'm talking about rent, car insurance, health insurance, credit card bills, etc. I need a job that would be able to support me while in school to cover expenses and still leave time for studying. That is my biggest concern about going back to school full time. I already have student loan debt, but I thank God that I can get nursing school paid for if I decide to do the program. I have until a week to accept the nursing school slot. That is why I rushed to this board to get some added advice to help me make the wisest choice. I have been applying for jobs as well. I've had several interviews. I"m just waiting to hear back from the jobs. If the job that I want calls this week, I"m going to take the job because it has a very good salary and it will help to pay down debt. Now for the socializing/dating comment, I have a boyfriend and he pays for all of my socializing! :D I am at the stage I'm ready to get married, and I really don't want to put that on hold because I"m 26 and ready to have children. If I decide to do the nursing program, I will just have to find a way to date when I have free time. I know some say that you need to strictly focus on the nursing program, but hey I have to have a life outside of school and get my personal/social needs met.

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I don't know if my input will matter much. I am only 21 and I will be going into the nursing program this fall. I agree with domal02 -- "If it's a passion/dream or yours then heck yeah go for it. If it's just something your doing because you don't have any other ideas or whatever, then maybe you should think about it some more before you commit time and money into something you'll later regret." I've gone through the similar dilemma. I feel like I've spent my entire youth with my head inside my books. I've questioned whether nursing is a path I want to take right now or if I should wait and enjoy my youth while I still have it. A lot of my friends aren't in school and they have all this free time to do whatever they want while I'm trying to find time in the day just to eat. "Also, do you suggest for me, at my age, to go back and try this nursing gig again?" The way I see it... nursing is something that can sustain your entire your future. You're still young and you have so many years ahead of you. You may not be able to afford nice things while your in the nursing program but once your done you can have all the nice things you want. If this is something you really want to do, the sacrifices you will have to make while in the program won't seem so bad. I would love to have a new car or go on a vacation but all the money I'm making is going towards school and rent and car insurance and all those other lovely life expenses. But nursing is something I really really want to do. I'm so thrilled to have been excepted into the nursing program that it doesn't really matter that my car may not be as nice as I'd like or that the farthest I'll probably get to travel for the next two years are to my clinicals. And another thing, you'd be surprised how much financial assistance is out there. It may take some digging around but if you start early you may not have to pay a single penny for college. If you have any other questions feel free to ask :D

I'm glad to hear someone else having the same concerns I have. What type of job do you have that leaves enough time for studying and be able to cover all your personal expenses?

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I do billing for a lawyer about 5 minutes from house. I have a key to the office so I can come as go as I please and since I make $15 an hour I'm fortunately that I can work 12 hours a week and there's no long commute. Me and my boyfriend rent a room in this house and my share is only $300. Fortunately I'm able to be on my mom's health insurance. I do live off the bare minimum. I usually have only $80 to live on a week after car insurance, rent, and utilities. But I think I can stick it out for a few years. But I truly feel that the job I have now is the reason why I've been doing so well in school. If I have a test. I can just tell my boss that day that I wont be in because I need some extra time to study. I'll be so sad the say I have to leave :(

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If your heart is not really in it and you are only in it for the money than no, nursing is not the right path. Simple as that. There are plenty of professions out there that can pay you well.

Some examples:

Teacher, Management (at Restaurants, banks, department stores, hotels all of which have a B.A. while place you at an advantage of getting), etc.

If you really need some extra cash go part-time for a grad degree (your student loans will be deferred and you can get $ to help with living expenses) while working a place you can advance in (such as a bank, restaurant, etc). Not only will this help you out immediately but make you more competitive for the job market.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I think that you should really take some time to decide on what you really want to do. IMHO it sounds like your not really in to nursing. I know some people that work as a waitress to get by through nursing school because they can have a flexible schedule. Since you already have a degree have you looked into the accelerated programs so you can have a BSN? I think that alot of people look at the economy and then think nursing would be a great job but nursing is not just a job. It takes alot out of you physically and emotionally and if you don't have that passion you will be miserable in this profession and no amount of job security is worth that.

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Not trying to be harsh but I would really think hard about why I want to go to NS. People who are willing to sacrifice a great deal are chomping at the bit for your spot who want to do it for other reasons than the pay :) HTH

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