Young single mom who's desparate to be a nurse but have financial concerns

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I'm very interested in starting a 28 month long RN program at Radian's college in DC. However, I'm a single mom who works full time and has her own place and a son so rent, bills, and a baby and myself. Oh yeah and a cat! lol The first year seems do-able because class is only two days a week so I can still work and make money to do what I have to do. However, the second year is more intense and I'm up for the challenge and its accelerated so I know its going to be fast-paced but my concern is how am I supposed to work, pay my rent/bills, and take care of my son and still achieve my career goals??? Unfortunately, I dont have family that I can live with while I go to school. Is there anyone out there that has been or who is in my situation? How did you handle it??? Any suggestions?:confused: Thanks! :)

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I have been in your situation.. All I can say is that you have to be a strong believer in the Lord and know that he will make a way. Something has to go in order to pursue your dreams. I do understand that your son is your responsibility, but you may have to find a job that works with your school schedule and that is flexible. I didn't live with family and it was just myself and my daughter. I had worked on the weekends at one job. Fri-Sun 12 hour shifts, I paid my rent, car not, bills, daycare, etc.....Even if you have to take out federal loan and use your pell grant to pay bills that could also be an option. Just make up in your mind you will get your degree and work you butt off to achieve it.

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

Completely agree with the previous poster.

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Pay special attention to your own health because one or two good illnesses or injuries can destroy everything you worked for.

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I'm in nursing school right now, and in a similar situation to yours. There are a lot of options, just stay committed and realize that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it to reach your goals!

Have you spoken to your school about financial aid? There's great federal financial aid available (loans, grants) and most schools offer scholarships. Fill out your FAFSA! I know that my school also offers discounts at local daycare centers.

If that's not enough, you may want to consider private loans. It's not ideal, but I've had to take out a MedCap loan through Wells Fargo to get me through the last year of my BSN program.

Keep looking for scholarships online, there are tons! If you get a job as a CNA in a hospital, many hospitals will offer scholarships to employees. Some hospitals even offer scholarships to volunteers who have completed a certain number of hours.

Since your single, is relocation after school an option? It's not for me, but if you can, consider these options (all have a service requirement when you graduate):

National Health Service Corps:

They will pay your tuition, books, fees, along with a monthly living stipend of $1289. In return you commit to one year for each year of support that you receive, in an approved site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area.

Website: http://nhsc.bhpr.hrsa.gov/scholarship/

Army Nurse Corps:

This is for BSN students only. Offers a $5,000 bonus when you begin the program, plus a $5,000 bonus at graduation. A monthly stipend of $1,000 during the months you are enrolled in a full-time Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-, or National League for Nursing-accredited nursing program

Website: http://www.goarmy.com/content/goarmy/amedd/education/undergraduate-health-care-education.html

Air Force Nurse Corps:

This scholarship covers all tuition and required fees, including textbooks, small equipment items and supplies needed for study. You will also receive a monthly allowance of approximately $2,060 for living expenses. While on scholarship you will spend 45 days on active duty in the Air Force, and once you graduate you will serve active duty (one year for each year of scholarship, with a minimum of three years).

Website: http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/healthcare/education/

Navy Nurse Corps: For the Nurse Candidate Program (NCP), you can get an initial grant of $10,000, plus a stipend of $1,000 per month for up to 24 months. That's up to $34,000 to help pay your way through nursing school.

Website: http://www.navy.com/navy/careers/healthcare/nurse.html

Good luck! Don't give up! :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Fill out the FAFSA. As a single parent, you should be able to get a lot of financial help from the feds.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

You didn't mention any child support. If you are not getting it, now is the time to make that happen if you can. Nothing ticks me off more than deadbeat losers.

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Consider going part-time if that's an option. I wanted to go full-time when I was in school, but only part-time openings were available. I was upset because it took longer to complete the program, but it was a blessing in disguise. I was able to continue working and still had the time needed to study for classes and for clinicals.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Echoing the post above - can you go part time or do a program that's not accelerated? Even if it takes you longer, it's better than failing out.

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I'd be careful about going to a for-profit school. Is Radian's accredited? All I see from their website is how much money you could make after the program and average salary. How about a community college? A lot of community colleges have part time programs.

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Make sure that the recent RN grads are getting jobs in your area prior to going through all of this. Remember that you need to get a job failry quickly a a nurse or your skills will get old and no one will wnat you. So if no one is really hiring nurses might want to hold onto your current position and NOT GET IN DEBT for a job that might not be available.

Also I am also a single mom. In my area the only jobs available for new nurses are night shift in nursing homes. I dont might nights and at the hospital where they have nightcare that would be fine but that is not the case at nursing homes. Night care can be done by college kids etc but theyare not always dependable. Also really cuts into the salary so I can work at another job that is les stressful during the day and will get more money with no childcare expense. For this and other reasons in the end I have decided that this career is going on the back burner.

Please think this ALL the way through. When I started the jobs were abundant at the hospital but by the time I finished that was not the case. Its a bummer. I had plans to advance my education but for this an other reasons I have just about decided to back burner all of it, cut my losses and move in another direction. To be honest it is almost a relief to have made a decision. No learning is wasted but my little family has to come first.

Good luck to you

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I actually posted this under the DC area but apparently the most recent RN NCLEX pass rate for Radians college was 66.67 which is pretty abysmal. On top of that, they are expensive although its hard to find details as they don't seem to tell you how much the program costs. I'm guessing they'd only do that in person.

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