The Hidden Costs of Nursing School

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2011

Also, Murphy's Law applies to nursing school in a big way. I quit my full time job to go, so we were tight on money. Since I did that, most of my major appliances broke down and got replaced with refurbished ones. (washer, dryer fridge, stove and water heater (new))

I had to replace all the tires of my cars. Both cars were running well going in to it... BUT my car's water pump broke, which meant tearing it down and replacing the timing belt while we were at it. My husband's truck was totalled and the pay out made it so I can pay some debts off and replace it.

Moral of this story, have at least a month's income extra as cushion in case Murphy strikes.

spore2008 · Nov 2, 2011

Staragate, sounds rough, almost comical in a sick sort of way. I hope you have regrouped.

Though money problems can make us irritable, angry and just plain unpleasant to be around, it is important to be ever-thankful for our health and the well-being of those we love.

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2011

Murphy is on my hit list. We are surviving, but there always seems to be something. (I'm a little afraid to check my propane tank... gas is expensive!) I tell jokes about it and move on.

My motto... the harder life hits you, hit it harder with fun! (I am trying to teach myself to juggle.)

Also, for controlling costs... make big meals and freeze leftovers. It makes a huge difference.

Example: buy a ham, a big one. The bigger they are, the more meat for the money and less bone. Cut it up into 1 pound chunks, freeze for future meals.

Use chunks to throw into mac & cheese, casseroles and breakfast.

Take the bone and boil it down in chicken broth. Take the bone out and get all the meat bits off. Cook the meat bits with chopped carrots, onion and split peas.

That's enough food for 2 people for 2 weeks. :)

CrazierThanYou · Nov 2, 2011

Totally not nursing related but...
1. Here in CA, the 99 Cent Store chain has produce that is absolutely passable. I buy 3 organic romaine heads for 99 cents there all the time. They have eggs, milk, cream, basic breads etc. Even if your 99 cent stores do not have produce, check what kind of canned food they have. 99 cent/lb chicken, 99 cents on canned vegetables and a $1.50 carton of eggs will truly sustain you better than any ramen could. Definitely a lifesaver during my broke periods.
2. I love the website brokeassgourmet.com. Lots of budget-friendly inspiration. You'll be needing a lot of uplifting variety and comfort food!

We don't have a 99 cent store here

Clinical fees

Thank God we don't have any clinical fees! What the heck are they for??

Name badge

We didn't have to pay for this. Its included in tuition I guess...

School patch for uniform

Stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, pen light

We don't have to have our own BP cuff, although I have one

Clinical Uniform

Shoes for clinical

Parking money each week for clinical

Again, thank God we don't have to pay to park at clinical. Where on Earth do you live??

Gas for driving to clinical and school sites + car expenses, or bus fare

I hear that. Probably the biggest hidden cost for us!

Laundry money for washing uniforms

Printing money, or printer paper, ink

School supplies

Books

Laptop purchase, internet fees

Clinical skills bag (IV sets, needles, catheter kit, etc)

We had to buy a $100 lab kit but all the things we needed were available in the lab at school so I ended up selling mine.

Our school will soon be requiring purchase of "Ipod touch" (ridiculous)

We're not allowed to use an iPod so I sold mine

theantichick · Nov 4, 2011

I have heard of a lot of programs requiring some sort of PDA, the iTouch being the most common. Our program allows cell phones (unless it's prohibited by the facility) so I didn't *need* to get an iTouch, but I got one anyway and leave my phone in my bag. I wanted something that didn't have a camera, so there's no appearance of impropriety. I also found out that in some hospitals, my phone can't get signal and will run the battery down searching, a problem my iTouch doesn't have.

I *love* having my reference materials in my pocket. There's a bunch of free apps for meds & calculations, and if you pony up the money for Nursing Central or Skyscape, the references are fantastic.

All that being said, if you're required to have it or decide it's worth the $$, check out eBay or Apple outlet for a refurb iTouch, I got an old edition (3rd generation) since it was the last one made without a camera. Saved a LOT going through Apple outlet.

NurseNotRatched, ADN, BSN, CNA · Nov 4, 2011

Unexpected Costs (for me):

Printer paper (printing in the nursing lab is free but we must provide our own paper....i go through a couple of reams of paper per month)

Hurst Review costs (school will pay 1/2 with 100% participation from our class)

Class dues ($20 per semester...mandatory)

ATI costs (those sneaky, sneaky sneaks added it to the tuition each semester to the tune of $200+ total)

Varying costs for group projects (Tri-fold boards, precut letters, I purchased a breast model from ebay last semester...not mandatory but we put a lot of effort into our presentation, etc, etc, etc....it all adds up)

SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP · Nov 4, 2011

Generator. lost power for a week, twice this semester.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2011

also, murphy's law applies to nursing school in a big way. i quit my full time job to go, so we were tight on money. since i did that, most of my major appliances broke down and got replaced with refurbished ones. (washer, dryer fridge, stove and water heater (new))
i had to replace all the tires of my cars. both cars were running well going in to it... but my car's water pump broke, which meant tearing it down and replacing the timing belt while we were at it. my husband's truck was totalled and the pay out made it so i can pay some debts off and replace it.
moral of this story, have at least a month's income extra as cushion in case murphy strikes.

ouch !!! :eek:

:hug:

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Nov 4, 2011

Too bad y'all can't just go and learn- all of these hoops to jump through sound ridiculous to me :eek:

CrazierThanYou · Nov 4, 2011

unexpected costs (for me):

printer paper (printing in the nursing lab is free but we must provide our own paper....i go through a couple of reams of paper per month)we also have to provide our own paper but the printer never works so...

hurst review costs (school will pay 1/2 with 100% participation from our class)is that like an nclex review? i've never heard of it.

class dues ($20 per semester...mandatory)what does this money go toward, out of curiosity?

ati costs (those sneaky, sneaky sneaks added it to the tuition each semester to the tune of $200+ total)

varying costs for group projects (tri-fold boards, precut letters, i purchased a breast model from ebay last semester...not mandatory but we put a lot of effort into our presentation, etc, etc, etc....it all adds up)i hate group projects!

CrazierThanYou · Nov 4, 2011

Also, Murphy's Law applies to nursing school in a big way. I quit my full time job to go, so we were tight on money. Since I did that, most of my major appliances broke down and got replaced with refurbished ones. (washer, dryer fridge, stove and water heater (new))
I had to replace all the tires of my cars. Both cars were running well going in to it... BUT my car's water pump broke, which meant tearing it down and replacing the timing belt while we were at it. My husband's truck was totalled and the pay out made it so I can pay some debts off and replace it.
Moral of this story, have at least a month's income extra as cushion in case Murphy strikes.

I can definitely relate. Right now I am about 6 months behind on my internet bill because they stopped debiting it and didn't tell me, my car tag is dead, my inspection is due, and so are the taxes. The car also needs new brakes, an oil change, and new tires. I have to have my drug test for clinical paid for very soon. I owe the IRS due to a mistake in my taxes, both of my kids have birthdays coming up, not to mention Christmas! I need a new dryer and hours are being cut at work from low census. Whew! If there's more, I don't want to think about it right now. :eek: :uhoh3:

Annjella · Nov 4, 2011

I know this might sound crazy.......cotton balls, alcohol and gloves. Not even kidding. I'm going to school abroad and there is nothing provided for free at school or in the hospital.