Career Corner >> Career Advice >> Found a school...now what
Found a school...now what
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Posted 4 months ago I'm sorry if this answer is somewhere on the board already, but I had to ask. I already have my BA, but I am in the process of completing prerequisites for the ADN program at my local community college. How do I pay for my rent and other bills when I have to go to school full time? Can the loans I get be applied towards living expenses? Does anyone on this board have experience like mine? I would go for a MSN, but it is way too expensive for me. Check out my blog: http://myfinanciallessons.blogspot.com/ |
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| Posted 4 months ago Here's a few ideas that might help. My guess is you'll have to do some juggling. Look into a hospital program that pays for your tuition. (The program will probably require that you work for them a year or more after becoming an RN.) Consider working part-time as an aide. Some hospitals have very flexible hours. Moreover, the experience you gain as an aide will --really help you in nursing school --help you decide what kind of nursing you'd like to undertake when you graduate --and improve your prospects of landing a job as an RN. Look into getting a paid nursing internship. In my area, you became eligible for an internship about the time you had only three courses left in nursing school. Nursing internships have some great advantages: the pay is much better than an aide's; you have more responsibility; and your job experience helps you in nursing school and your forthcoming career. (You might have to apply for an internship early in the year; I heard some programs schedule training during the summer, when you are likely to have few or no nursing classes.) Also, consider going to nursing school part-time. Advantage: much less stress, and more time to study. Finally, make sure to consult a counselor at the community college about financial aid. You may be eligible for various forms of scholarships or aid even if you don't qualify for some of the more conventional loans and aid.
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| Posted 4 months ago With most nursing schools being full-time considering you have to do clinicals you may have to choose between working and going to school. I havent yet heard of a part time RN program but some people can work and go to school but it is very hard I have heard. Most nursing instructors tell you if you dont have to work ,dont. Maybe you can work part-time. But you will have to adjust your schedule to accomadate clinicals. |
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| Posted 4 months ago Thank you for your input. It isn't the tuition payments that I can't deal with. It is the bills that I have to pay while in nursing school (ie rent/mortgage, car loan, and past student loans) that are the issue. I see now why there is a nursing shortage....Schools make it IMPOSSIBLE to work and go to a RN program part time. I really wanted this job because I want to become a nurse. But having $1639.56 (rent, car, sludent loan, ...) in bills a month won't happen on part time wages. I'm so sad. Does anyone on here live in the Bay Area, CA and have advice? Check out my blog: http://myfinanciallessons.blogspot.com/ |
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| Posted 4 months ago Your student loan money can be used to help cover living expenses while in school as long as you maintain at least 1/2 time status. Also, when you are in school at least half time, your student loans can be deferred until you graduate - the unsecured portions wil continue to accrue interest, but at least you will be relieved from making those payments as long as you maintain at least 1/2 time enrollment. Go to the FAFSA website for more information - I'd avoid private loans - the interest will be higher and no deferral for current loans. |