What do you do for money during nursing school?

[Infofreak411]

I'm well aware that I will have to cut back to at most 3 days awake while I am in the program.

I live alone and just get by (like only 100-200 a month extra depending on overtime). I don't have a spouse to help out and my parents live too far away to move in and plus they're not understanding of school (they think I use school and studying as an escape from family)

So if I barely get by working full time, I am not sure what I would do having to cut back to 3 days a week financially... Plus having to pay for classes on top of it... Any ideas?

[MsCupcakes]

I have a weekend bartending job. I work about 20 hours between Friday and Saturday, and with tips it averages out to about $20/hr. I was looking for a medical job, but found that they did not offer the same flexibility or pay rate.

[Duttygal86, BSN, RN]

I have found that this question is very person specific. Especially, when over the course of my 3 years in a BSN program (thus far) my financial situation has changed multiple times. I would say the same for some of my classmates. One in particular, didn't need to work but held on to her FT CNA position strictly for the health insurance.

I've had to be super creative in supporting myself and my daughter over the last 3 years. In addition to working (sometimes FT, sometimes PT) I also have a killer 4 hr round trip commute.

I'm mentally preparing myself for a grueling Spring semester. One PT remote position that is 10 hrs a week, one day a week waiting tables, a couple nights a week working in an ice-cream shop plus Med Surg 2, Mental Health and Stats. Oh and I have a new fiance and a moody 14 year old daughter.

I have a classmate whose entire family moved away sophomore year so now shes basically raising her toddler, working FT and going to nursing school with no support system.

I have another classmate that works 3 PT jobs as well. It's also amazing that those of us who are juggling so much consistently make the best grades in our class while most of the younger ones that live on campus don't.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I borrowed a total of 42 k for a 4 year degree. That covered very little in living expenses, but I budgeted well. In addition, I worked full time hours during holidays and from April to September.

Summers did not exist for me, but I was more concerned with having less debt. I worked full time hours during years 3 and 4, which I found doable. Years 1 and 2 are foundational years so I worked part time while at school.

You have to find what works for you.

[mredwin3]

I babysit while in school. At first I was worried because I usually end up working 12+ hours a week and I drive over an hour round trip. I was told I couldn't do it, but I had no problems. I got lucky because I usually end up with at least some down time during the week that I can do some school work while the kids are working on homework or something. However, they get easily distracted so I only get 5-10 minutes at a time. I downloaded an ATI app and a flashcard app so I can run through some flashcards when I get a few minutes. I record lectures so I can listen to them in the car during my commute. It's possible to work. If you're like me, it will almost help you to do well in school because you'll get on a schedule and get home and know that you have to study and you'll be motivated to work hard. I also have student loans (I applied for "extra" to cover some living expenses) so I put that in an account every semester and only take from it when I have to. I'm also in an accelerated program so I have an extra class each semester and it's still somehow been very doable. Pay attention in class and take good notes that make sense so you don't have to spend as much time studying outside of school. Good luck!

[amoLucia]

Don't know if someone else commented but ... since you already have a bachelor's degree you may have trouble taking out certain loans (if you have some from PRIOR school). Some loan providers do not extend loans to second degree borrowers who've previously borrowed.

Careful spending on a tight budget might be your best direction as suggested by other PPs. But the idea of working OUTSIDE of healthcare may be the way to go as suggested by another. Wages and time constraints may be more realistic and student-friendly.

While not in school, one time I was relying on 2 part-time jobs to keep myself afloat. I was an part-time nsg super in a LTC and a part-time instructor in a small business school. As the nsg super, I worked EVERY weekend and EVERY holiday, on ANY shift, and I covered PTO for the regular supervisors when I could. The business school was M>F, part-time, except for holidays, which I would do 'extra coverage' at the NH. I worked over one full year without a single day off.

Sometimes you just do what you gotta do!

[Vana21, ADN, BSN, RN]

I had to work full time during school and had absolutely no life, but its only for 2-4 years so just remember that it's not permanent.

My week was something like work Tuesdays, Fridays and every other weekends. School Monday and Wednesday and clinicals on Thursdays. It was rough

[Hope_07]

I worked full time and did nursing school full time and graduated with honors. It's not fun but definitely doable as long as you work hard.

Are you the one who graduated at CSN? :)

Lucky for you, you have a job that worked out for your schedule and school. I hope by the time I apply, everything falls into its right place. Because right now, that is my main concern, saving money as well..

[augurey]

I'm one of those that cannot work during school. I tried it before (when I was single, no kids) and couldn't do it. Now that I'm married with kids, I know even more that I couldn't do it and don't want to take the chance of potentially screwing up and failing.

We're on one (very low) income. I deferred our other student loans and am looking into payment plans for utilities and other bills as well as a loan modification for our mortgage. Plus strict budgeting. We're trying to lower our bills as much as we can until we can get through this. Right now I have two grants that cover the majority of my tuition, but I still have been taking out federal student loans to help get us by.

Then we're hoping that whatever we get back from our tax return will be enough to help get us us by for the year to the point that I can get by as much on grants as possible (will also apply for scholarships) so that I can hopefully avoid taking out any more financial aid.

If this semester goes well, next fall I may apply for a part time job within the hospital, but that can't happen until after summer semester, but I'm planning for that not to happen in case it can't (but would like to consider it).