how to support yourself through nursing school.

[bbailey_62]

Is there a way to get an RN degree and still work? I have to work and support myself I have no other choice. I have just finished my pre-reqs for nursing, and I am looking for schools. I've run into roadblocks, because most of the nursing programs are full time and very demanding. Is there a way to support yourself through nursing school? I would like to start with an associates degree in nursing first, then once I am in the field, I will continue on to get the B.S.N. degree. I live in the phoenix, AZ area. I've heard about online nursing, but I'm unsure if this is right for me. I also have my reservations about it because I wonder if one can be a good nurse learning it online. Any feedback out there?

[mrsboots87]

I live in Arizona as well and the online nursing you are hearing about is not what it sounds like. There is fully online, but it is for RN to BSN only. And any other "online" programs out here are hybrid. You will still have to go to in person labs, because you cant learn skills without them, and you will have in person clinical to apply what you learn to practice. The only online part if the lecture, which I would say is going to be pretty hard online. A lot gets expanded on and clarified while in lecture, and when you are just getting reading and writing assignements online, you will lose that part of it. Check into some of the part time or evening/weekend options. They take the same amount of time, but they run through summer and don't get as long of a winter break, but allow for weekday working. The program is doable while working. A good amount of students in my class worked and survived the semester. It just depends on how much time you are willing to give up of your personal time to study and work. GL

[amoLucia]

To OP - I hate to sound like a broken record, but you should consider changing your pix and screen name. There is no such thing as 'anonymous' on the Web. Seriously!!! Many of us recommend this because nsg is a small world and somewhere, somehow, somebody can make the connection.

[RNperdiem, RN]

It can be done. I moved in with my parents, went to the local community college and worked every weekend and a couple of afternoon shifts a week. The job paid for all of my tuition, books, insurance, car repair-everything except room and board. My parents were fine with me at home as long as I put in my share of house and yard work.

My sister did things differently. She lived on her own and worked a full-time job to pay for school. She found a job that involved all nights and weekends. The only downside is that she lived in scrubs 7 days a week, had no days off between work and school and never got enough sleep, but the sacrifices were worth it.