Surviving nursing school... out on your own

pawprints · Jul 19, 2011

I'm not in nursing school yet (hopefully will start in January), but I work fulltime and go to school fulltime. My boyfriend does the same. We live together but really only see each other on weekends due to our schedules (and only then if he doesn't have clinicals for his program). We split rent and utilities as well, and we each pay our own bills, tuition, car payments, student loans (from my previous college years), etc. It works for us because it's temporary. There is an end in sight. He'll be done with his program in January and go back to core classes to continue his education. I'll start nursing in January and be done with that in two years. Then things should get easier. It's a struggle, but it's not impossible.

windmill182 · Jul 19, 2011

I recommend saving yesterday. Do you plan on working full time during the program? Ive heard of that being done, but yikes! (I applaud those who do it! Our school asks that you work no more than 16 hours a week. For some that just isn't possible though and they have to work more.) I think it would be wise to go into Nursing school with a cushion of money of some sort, if possible. What if you get into the 2nd quarter and realize working full time just isn't helping your studies? The last thing you want to be stressing out about is money. Definitely look into getting a reliable vehicle. Doesn't have to be something fancy or new. Just reliable because you cant risk missing class or clinicals due to car issues ya know?

If worse comes to absolute worse you might look at getting a small student loan to help you during your Nursing program. Don't know if you are already doing this, but maybe the loan can help pay for school stuff and you can use your income towards other items like bills. Also go for those Scholarships!! I just got a $2500 scholarship through my school for writing a one page essay. This will pay for all my books and at least 1 quarter of school. You never know! And remember, save..save..save..

cogath · Jul 19, 2011

I moved out with my boyfriend the summer before nursing school. I worked part time through nursing school and went full time in my BSN program. However I have a lot of money saved and my grandmother passed away last year, leaving us some inheritance money. If you don't have anything saved it may be difficult, but I haven't found it particularly hard finanically. On the other hand, working and going to school at the same time is grueling. I had no time for anything else in my life and at many times I felt very overwhelmed. First semester I worked 20-30 hours a week, and second semester I had to cut down to about 10 hours a week and even that was challenging. However, if I hadn't moved out, I would have never seen my boyfriend (who works full time), and also I was in a bad family situation and needed to get out of there. So in the end it was worth it to me. But be prepared to be very busy, and on top of all of that you have a place you have to clean and care for. Sometimes the chores were neglected if there wasn't time and that was a struggle for me, as I like having an organized home.

I would look at the cost of rent and how much you have saved. Bills can add another $100 or more to your monthly cost. How often will you be able to work? What is your motivation for moving out? It can be done but it takes a lot of planning and cooperation. At this point, if you are still able to see you boyfriend while living at home, I would invest in another vehicle and save money instead of moving out. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

Jas1989 · Jul 19, 2011

I'm not in nursing school yet (hopefully will start in January), but I work fulltime and go to school fulltime. My boyfriend does the same. We live together but really only see each other on weekends due to our schedules (and only then if he doesn't have clinicals for his program). We split rent and utilities as well, and we each pay our own bills, tuition, car payments, student loans (from my previous college years), etc. It works for us because it's temporary. There is an end in sight. He'll be done with his program in January and go back to core classes to continue his education. I'll start nursing in January and be done with that in two years. Then things should get easier. It's a struggle, but it's not impossible.

Thanks for the motivation. Do you plan on workin fulltime once in the program?

Jas1989 · Jul 19, 2011

I recommend saving yesterday. Do you plan on working full time during the program? Ive heard of that being done, but yikes! (I applaud those who do it! Our school asks that you work no more than 16 hours a week. For some that just isn't possible though and they have to work more.) I think it would be wise to go into Nursing school with a cushion of money of some sort, if possible. What if you get into the 2nd quarter and realize working full time just isn't helping your studies? The last thing you want to be stressing out about is money. Definitely look into getting a reliable vehicle. Doesn't have to be something fancy or new. Just reliable because you cant risk missing class or clinicals due to car issues ya know?
If worse comes to absolute worse you might look at getting a small student loan to help you during your Nursing program. Don't know if you are already doing this, but maybe the loan can help pay for school stuff and you can use your income towards other items like bills. Also go for those Scholarships!! I just got a $2500 scholarship through my school for writing a one page essay. This will pay for all my books and at least 1 quarter of school. You never know! And remember, save..save..save..

Thanks for your advice. No, once in the program, I plan on just working weekends part time. I will be getting a pell grant which will cover tuition and hopefully books. I also qualify for two loans which I am considering taking if I decide on getting a new car. My car may be able to hold up, but I've always heard its not good to drive after 200,000miles..... You have to forgive me, i'm only 22, and am learning about life. lol! :uhoh3:

Jas1989 · Jul 19, 2011

I moved out with my boyfriend the summer before nursing school. I worked part time through nursing school and went full time in my BSN program. However I have a lot of money saved and my grandmother passed away last year, leaving us some inheritance money. If you don't have anything saved it may be difficult, but I haven't found it particularly hard finanically. On the other hand, working and going to school at the same time is grueling. I had no time for anything else in my life and at many times I felt very overwhelmed. First semester I worked 20-30 hours a week, and second semester I had to cut down to about 10 hours a week and even that was challenging. However, if I hadn't moved out, I would have never seen my boyfriend (who works full time), and also I was in a bad family situation and needed to get out of there. So in the end it was worth it to me. But be prepared to be very busy, and on top of all of that you have a place you have to clean and care for. Sometimes the chores were neglected if there wasn't time and that was a struggle for me, as I like having an organized home.
I would look at the cost of rent and how much you have saved. Bills can add another $100 or more to your monthly cost. How often will you be able to work? What is your motivation for moving out? It can be done but it takes a lot of planning and cooperation. At this point, if you are still able to see you boyfriend while living at home, I would invest in another vehicle and save money instead of moving out. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

Thanks for the advice. I'm only planning on working FT during my pre-reqs, but when I start the program, I plan to just work weekends, part time. I too did not have a great family situation wihch is why I moved out.

ashulee89 · Jul 19, 2011

Hi,

I'm finishing up my first semester of nursing school. I decided to enroll in the online program though because in January I didn't have any money saved up for when I would have to quit. Not sure if they offer an online option for you but if you are required to keep a full time job it might be something to check into. I currently work about 40-50 hours a week. Rest assured, it is REALLY hard. Its tough to discipline yourself to study at a certain pace and teach yourself the material. I think if you can, working part time is the best option.

As far as a car mileage, 200k is alot. But depending on how well the car has been taken care of will factor into its life. My car has 140k and is still going strong. If you feel like yours is falling apart, you definitely need to find something else.

Goodluck to you!

pawprints · Jul 20, 2011

Thanks for the motivation. Do you plan on workin fulltime once in the program?

Yes, I have no other option. I'll have to change positions at my job so that I can accomodate the hours (right now I take evening classes but in nursing that is not possible). But it'll be worth it when I finish.

tech1000 · Jul 20, 2011

I split bills with my ex bf while I was in nursing school. However, I received a lot of money from grants and the military. I paid $350 for rent plus about another $150-$175 in bills, and I bought all of our food at about $400 a month. I had no problem at all. I worked as a tech in a hospital and had a huge savings account going into nursing school. SAVE NOW!!! Get a reliable car and try to have a low car payment!

Jas1989 · Jul 20, 2011

Thanks for your encouragement. Anyone out there know of any scholarships I can apply for?

windmill182 · Jul 20, 2011

Ask your Financial Aid office for a list of scholarships they might know of. That's how I was able to get mine. Good Luck!