I'll be starting the nursing program for my school next week. I have all my supplies, books, and things that I need... but I'm at a considerable disadvantage seeing as I don't have a car or a job right now.
I hear about people that work 40 hours a week or more, but I just don't see how you can do that unless you're "working" at a job that allows you to sit down, read, or use the internet freely. I know most certainly that I couldn't work a retail job 40 hours, heck, not even 30 hours and still pass school.
Having a reliable way to school and the clinical sites is going to be a MAJOR problem for me. I don't know if my classmates would be willing to give me rides to and from the clinical sites and I fear that once I run out of money for public transportation, I'm going to fail due to attendance.
I guess this is more of a rant than anything and I had to get it out before it sat on my mind too long.
Who doesn't have some disadvantage....forget nursing school, in life?
From your post, it seems that you're young, healthy, and have no one you're responsible for but yourself. To me it sounds like you have advantages over a good portion of my class.
But you can choose to just assume everyone has it easier than you if that helps you get through the day.
Get a bike, a helmet, a good lock, and learn how to ride in the city. If your car ride is 5-10 minutes, the bike ride shouldn't take more than half an hour. Then see if you can get a ride to your other sites with other people in your class.
Or get a part time job, even it's only temporary and doing something like retail or fast food or sales so you can save up for a car. But seriously, think about the bike. No gas to pay for, no insurance, no maintenance...
My school requires students to commute to clinicals because of parking space issues, so partner up. It's hard to rely on someone 3-5 days a week, but see what you can do and just have good manners.
Be a good carpooler- offer to pay a portion of gas or the parking permit (even if it's just a few bucks every couple of days- trust me, $2 or $3 every other day or so would be welcomed and remembered), be on time, don't complain about the driving, help shovel out if there's snow/bad weather where you are, bring a coffee in the morning, offer to split the driving if the person is comfortable with that, whatever.
My program is so small that I'll be happy to have the company & time- to review, to vent, to go over the day, or just be quiet if needed.
Soooo.....sounds like you're gonna have to suck it up and get a part time job to cover expenses. It happens. I know quite a few people (myself included) that work 30+ hours/ week in positions where they can't sit around all day/night and study. You didn't mention kids or anything so scheduling would be easier for you. Get a job on campus if you have to. Plenty of those where you can do homework while working.
Public transit usually has a monthly pass option that's much cheaper than daily fares.
And a word of caution: don't be that guy. The one that thinks just because he's one of a few men in a sea of women that he'll have an easier time of it. You'll never get out alive lol
You may have a slight advantage by NOT working as much. Make the best of the situation. Study hard with your free time. Work part time if you can. Buy a CHEAP car....older Hondas, Subarus, Toyotas and Nissans make reliable cars....even if they have 150K miles. Find something for $1000 if you can swing it. If not, get a PT job and save.
I would have to agree. I work full-time and have lectures at night and clinicals on the weekend. I also have 3 kids (4 if you count my husband), so it is HELLA hard.
Nursing school is tough but you create amazing bonds with other students "going through the struggle" lol. We all help each other. You'd be surprised, a lot of students carpool--don't count that out as a possibility.
Soooo.....sounds like you're gonna have to suck it up and get a part time job to cover expenses. It happens. I know quite a few people (myself included) that work 30+ hours/ week in positions where they can't sit around all day/night and study. You didn't mention kids or anything so scheduling would be easier for you. Get a job on campus if you have to. Plenty of those where you can do homework while working.
Public transit usually has a monthly pass option that's much cheaper than daily fares.
And a word of caution: don't be that guy. The one that thinks just because he's one of a few men in a sea of women that he'll have an easier time of it. You'll never get out alive lol
Nah, I don't feel entitled to anything... I'm aware of the opportunity that was given to me. And I wouldn't mind working, it's just really, really hard without a car to secure a job and to go to school at the same time.
Well...I am going to have to work out of neccesity...i would rather NOT so i can study more...but there ya go
and I dont have a car and I dont drive
I have to take a bus to the transit center,,,then take 2 buses to get to my school
Not that its that far away..its just in a weird area that the main buses dont get to
I take a main route most of the way there and i neighbourhood shuttle that takes me RIGHT THERE
i feel like this is a good thing
i can study on the way there
The only prob will be clinicals..for that I will offer carpool/gas money to classmates,,,if they act weird I will take the bus as far as i can and walk/take a cab or ask a friend to help
I havent started yet///but i have been out to visist the school
where i live has awful traffic and Im just fine by taking the bus
I may see if anyone lives near me wants to share fuel costs...but its not a must
What about public transportation? I don't see what your adversary feelings about having a job is about. Plenty of people work part time during school, some even full time. They make it through. If you wanted a job bad enough, you would get there somehow, some way. You have to fight for what you want. I work even though my parents could support me 100% (thank you mom & dad) because it makes me feel good making my own money and not depend on them completely. Many students these days face challenges like this on a daily basis and they make it work.
One thing that you have to remember, as one of my teachers once said, is "You signed up for this!" When our clinical sites were posted, she was inundated with students that complained that the sites were too far, there were more convenient sites, etc. And her answer was: You SIGNED UP for this. Our school makes us sign this agreement stating that we have no choice in picking our clinical sites, groups, experiences, etc. Transportation is the students' problem. We were told this during orientation 3 MONTHS before classes began. And some people still don't get it.
CuriousMe
2,642 Posts
Who doesn't have some disadvantage....forget nursing school, in life?
From your post, it seems that you're young, healthy, and have no one you're responsible for but yourself. To me it sounds like you have advantages over a good portion of my class.
But you can choose to just assume everyone has it easier than you if that helps you get through the day.