Working while in nursing school?

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  1. Thoughts?

    • 1
      Save money then attend
    • 0
      LPN route
    • 2
      Try to live at home
    • 1
      School & work while paying bills

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I am planning on starting school at a local community college this fall. In a dream world, I wouldn't work while In school. However, I just had to get a car note and car insurance. Its around $600 a month for that. I have a direct loan for $5,500. Including my other bills such as phone, gas, groceries, ect., the loan itself will not cover all my expenses. I do not have any money saved really since I had to get a car. I am also looking at moving out since I am not able to stay with my parent anymore. I will have a room mate so that will help on the cost. I work in fast-food right now part-time and make pretty decent money. If I wasn't going to school I know I could handle all those bills. Is it possible to do all of this while in school full-time? Should I save up the cost of rent to cover a few months and wait till the spring semester to attend? I plan on being a RN but would it be easier to become a LPN first since it takes less time then bridge over later? I have already put it off for a year and am ready to get started but if waiting will make the stress level lower then I will do it. Any thoughts, advice, or ideas are appreciated.

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello!

Nursing school is not easy. If you are planning on becoming an RN right after being an LPN... then just go for the RN program. The LPN-RN program only saves you like 2 classes. If you know you will be making the leap in a very short period of time, just go for the ADN degree and get your RN license.

If you can live with your parent/s while in school... do it. If you can't, it will be tougher, but not impossible. Just don't get mixed with the wrong people... DO NOT get married nor pregnant while in school.

Best wishes!

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Just to clarify, will you be starting nursing school right away or taking prerequisites? I know that every program is different. Ultimately, you are the one who knows what you are able to do. Some people find that can (or have to or able to) to work during school (full and/or part) and others need that extra time. Choose the option that will get you the best grades possible. I have a professor who actually recommends taking out loans so students do not have to work. I would actually consider trying to still live at home and delaying until the spring may also be a good option. You can take that time to calculate how much you will actually need every month and if there are certain things you can cut. For example, taking the bus to school and back says you gas (you may even try to do this a couple times a week... either way it will help cut the costs) and on top of that you can study on the bus. If you had a gym membership, ask yourself if you really need it? That time could also be used to get a second job. Work as many hours as you can and save up your money.

You need to also take into consideration the overall costs of the program itself. Is it already paid for so that you only need to focus on your other bills? What about all of the books and equipment that you will need as well? Take a good hard look at how much it will cost you. Working even part-time may not be enough. Just remember it is doable, but every person is different.

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I did not get through four sentences of your post without thinking that you have a lot on your plate. I would save up as much money as possible and stay with your parents as long as possible to give yourself a better chance at being successful.

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Stay with your parents as long as humanly possible

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