Single mother, no support, nursing school

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I start my BSN program in August. I am a single mother with a 2 year old son, and have been living with my parents for over 2.5 years. I am 31 years old. I have reached a point where it is no longer healthy for me to live at home with my parents. I have to move out with my son and do this alone.

Is there anyone out there (single parent) who has made it through nursing school on their own financially and with limited family support?

Any comments or any offerings of advice are appreciated.

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I personally am not a parent nor have I even finished my nursing school's required pre reqs. However, I used to work at a day care where one of the mothers was going to school. She had a 6 year old and a 4 year old. She had told me it was very hard and at times she wanted to quite and just focus on her kids. That was about 2 years ago and now she has her BSN. So even though I can't personally tell you the ups and downs I hope this motivates you some. God Bless!

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almostnurse25-I begin the ADN program at my CC in August, and I am one of the more 'senior' ( I'm 50!!!) students....I don't have children either, but quite a few students who have been with me sweating along from A&P I and II and Micro are single parents. In fact, one of the best and brightest students is a single mom of 2---wow. I have been lucky with the Pell and Honor scholarships that cover most everything, but this will only be enough for my ADN. After that, the $$ is going to have to come from working. I haven't taken out any loans, but I am surrounded by students who are already in debt from pre-reqs on, so be careful with that. The schools are quick to offer those loans, but if you can, try to work at least part-time so you can be considered an independent student with a minimal income. Take advantage of Pell while it is still here...there is no guarantee that it will be around forever.

Also, if you have to move, see if you can 'room' with someone you can trust...that way, rent is cheaper. I couldn't do this without the support of my life partner. I would be living in a rented room somewhere, busing to school. The single parents in my class seem to work a lot during the summer and then work less during the classes. There are a lot of support systems out there, almostnurse25. I hope you are able to utilize them to your advantage, since once you graduate, YOU are an advantage to yourself and your community. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Hospice.
almostnurse25-I begin the ADN program at my CC in August, and I am one of the more 'senior' ( I'm 50!!!) students....I don't have children either, but quite a few students who have been with me sweating along from A&P I and II and Micro are single parents. In fact, one of the best and brightest students is a single mom of 2---wow. I have been lucky with the Pell and Honor scholarships that cover most everything, but this will only be enough for my ADN. After that, the $$ is going to have to come from working. I haven't taken out any loans, but I am surrounded by students who are already in debt from pre-reqs on, so be careful with that. The schools are quick to offer those loans, but if you can, try to work at least part-time so you can be considered an independent student with a minimal income. Take advantage of Pell while it is still here...there is no guarantee that it will be around forever.

Also, if you have to move, see if you can 'room' with someone you can trust...that way, rent is cheaper. I couldn't do this without the support of my life partner. I would be living in a rented room somewhere, busing to school. The single parents in my class seem to work a lot during the summer and then work less during the classes. There are a lot of support systems out there, almostnurse25. I hope you are able to utilize them to your advantage, since once you graduate, YOU are an advantage to yourself and your community. Good luck to you.

I too am an older (49) student beginning my ADN in August, and this is great advice. I wish I qualified for grants, but unfortunately the FAFSA doesn't take into account your expenses like mortgage so while I am just out of the reach of any grants, I struggle to pay for my education myself. My school doesn't even participate in federal loan programs. I wish I had done this while my kids were little or when I was fresh out of high school! You can do it, so many do. Get busy building your support system, friends, relatives, even a babysitting swap system so you can get some studying time in. Good luck!

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Thank you all so much for your words. I feel all alone out here and I'm desperately reaching out. I will be commuting an hour each way, M-F 8-5, and I just can't seem to see how I am going to do this. I will keep trying to look at every possible option. God bless all of you for your words!!

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I don't have kids nor am I older and wiser like you and the above poster. However, if I were you I would live with your parents until you get out of school. 1.) When your studying your butt off, hopefully your parents would be open to spending time with your son. 2.) I imagine your staying there for free? I wouldn't move out and then you'd have to work enough to pay for rent, utilities, etc. Therefore, your son wouldn't see you when your at school nor working your butt off to be able to pay bills. Congrats on going back to school. I know it is a big step. I also have read tons of threads on here with single mothers that have 1 or more kid(s), working, and going to school. I know it can be done. You just have to be and stay determined. Just think…when you get done with school you'll be able to afford the things your child wants AND be able to have your own home. Good luck and I wish you the best!

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Although my ex husband pays support it barely covers the bills. I am attending a tech school instead of a community college or university because its cheaper. Add in that under certain incomes the school provides additional funds for tuition assistance, and my actual school tuition is quite low. There are also votech schools that only have class during a regular school year from 8-5. This would only get you to an LPN, but its a start! I also have networked and found a church that helps cover my sitter with the funds I can't cover. There are many resources through the state for single mom trying to better their lives. I don't get these because I do have my ex husband's financial support for the majority of bills, but programs do exist. You have to dig for them. There are tons of daycares that fall under certain income amounts for when you need additional care. If you want this you will find a way. Reach out through meetup, I have found a ton of single mom groups, and they can help point you to other resources you may have not known about. There are programs designed for single moms who need places to live that are safe, but income based. Pretty much, if you start digging and want this bad enough the resources are there. Is it hard? Yep. Take a ton of work and energy? Yep. But if you want this you find a way to make it work. I hope I gave you some new ideas and hope you find one that works for you! Good luck!

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Thank you all so much for your words. I feel all alone out here and I'm desperately reaching out. I will be commuting an hour each way, M-F 8-5, and I just can't seem to see how I am going to do this. I will keep trying to look at every possible option. God bless all of you for your words!!

Don't let the struggles involved keep you from becoming a nurse! Single mom's do it all the time and I am one of them. While I have not yet started my BSN program and I have been in school for 2 1/2 years (3/4 time), work full time and own my own home. It's not easy to support yourself, your child(ren), work and go to school BUT it is not impossible either. I have had many stresses that most people will never go through in these past years and yet have kept a 4.0 so far. It take's major time management, little sleep and dedication but if it is your dream them you will make it happen!

I commute (in traffic) for about an hour to school but I go at night so it only takes 30 minutes to get home. I spend a lot of time doing homework and studying and sometimes I feel that my children are missing out but I know that this will not last forever and I am giving them as well as myself a better future. I take them to the park and they play while I read, when I study at home I take breaks every 30 minutes or so and we do something fun like play a game or bake. I do as much as I can on Fridays when I don't work but they are at daycare. I also find it helpful to study with friends that have kids, the kids can play together while we study.

Like you, I have very little support but I feel that it makes me stronger and I know that my struggles are not for naught. You can do this!

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To those that have little support- just know there are some that you all are inspiring and I am one of them!!

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I start my BSN program in August...

...Is there anyone out there (single parent) who has made it through nursing school on their own financially and with limited family support?

Any comments or any offerings of advice are appreciated.

It takes a pretty incredible amount of effort, strength and willpower to get through nursing school for many people, even those who don't have any obligations outside of their education. Attempting to do so with other (potentially conflicting) responsibilities in tow is going to be that much more challenging. However, that does not mean you can't do it!

OP, you can absolutely succeed in nursing school and succeed brilliantly. It likely won't be easy, but, if nursing is truly important to you, it will be worthwhile. As a nursing student, I definitely remember those nightmare days when I would wake up at 7AM, be at school from 8AM-4PM, work from 5PM-1AM, go home, study from 2AM-3AM, sleep for 4-ish hours and then do it all over again. Throw in clinicals and you can get some truly hellacious weeks in a semester.

I can't speak to your abilities or your situation beyond what you've chosen to share here, so I can't say if nursing school will be a breeze or a hurricane for you, personally. What I can say is that I'm nobody special, but I managed to financially drag myself and my family through nursing school, graduated with honors, and received my hard-earned RN license this month.

I know it can look scary as all get out when you're getting ready to take the plunge (I'm sure my blood pressure was sky high during first-day orientation when I realized how huge a time commitment nursing school would be), and there were times when I doubted myself, even times when it felt like my whole life was a whisper away from all falling apart. But I did it, and if someone like me, the low-born son of first-generation immigrants with nothing to his name but student loan debt and an 11-year-old automobile, can do it, anyone can!

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Specializes in Hospice.
It takes a pretty incredible amount of effort, strength and willpower to get through nursing school for many people, even those who don't have any obligations outside of their education. Attempting to do so with other (potentially conflicting) responsibilities in tow is going to be that much more challenging. However, that does not mean you can't do it!

OP, you can absolutely succeed in nursing school and succeed brilliantly. It likely won't be easy, but, if nursing is truly important to you, it will be worthwhile. As a nursing student, I definitely remember those nightmare days when I would wake up at 7AM, be at school from 8AM-4PM, work from 5PM-1AM, go home, study from 2AM-3AM, sleep for 4-ish hours and then do it all over again. Throw in clinicals and you can get some truly hellacious weeks in a semester.

I can't speak to your abilities or your situation beyond what you've chosen to share here, so I can't say if nursing school will be a breeze or a hurricane for you, personally. What I can say is that I'm nobody special, but I managed to financially drag myself and my family through nursing school, graduated with honors, and received my hard-earned RN license this month.

I know it can look scary as all get out when you're getting ready to take the plunge (I'm sure my blood pressure was sky high during first-day orientation when I realized how huge a time commitment nursing school would be), and there were times when I doubted myself, even times when it felt like my whole life was a whisper away from all falling apart. But I did it, and if someone like me, the low-born son of first-generation immigrants with nothing to his name but student loan debt and an 11-year-old automobile, can do it, anyone can!

OMG that schedule! WTG on completing your dream!

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Look into your school's resources. I'm working on my ADN in a program my school has for recipients of state assistance. I have a work study job along with all my other help. It barely covers the bills, but it works for me and will get me through school. Also, I will be receiving grant and loan money which will help cover living costs too.

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