Every college has someone on staff who is like the mayor of the school. This person may not be high ranking but he/she knows everyone and how to get things done. Find and cultivate this person. He/she can help you.

Pursue small grants and scholarships because they add up. Your college has a list of these. Hit the Rotary and other service-club circuit. If your dad or grandpa was a veteran, a VFW chapter or other vets group might give you a small grant. Any money you don’t have to pay back is gravy.

If you have friends in the drag or royalty community, can they put on a benefit show?

Whatever happens, don’t give up hope. I know how hard it is to return to school as an adult. I had a half ride at a very prestigious university, but no help with living expenses. I couldn’t afford to live near campus and sometimes I slept in the library rather than drive home. My cat kept me sane … Stay strong. You can do it!

I highly recommend some sort of orthotic. Even though I have custom plaster cast orthotics, even the simple by the number ones from a dedicated orthotics store or any sporting goods store will help quite a bit. (There are ones you warm in your oven before molding to your feet; they were less than 50 dollars when I used them, and they lasted for years.)

Additionally, working as a CNA or ED tech (way better option since you can place IVs and see more) can allow you to pick up flexible shifts. Working on breaks between semesters will help. Multiple new nurses on the unit worked as CNAs before becoming a nurse and were offered jobs since the manager knew them. Another nurse’s hospital paid for the nursing program while she worked but she had to commit one year of work for every semester paid. There are options once you get your foot in the door. Also definitely try out being a CNA first. I would have gone perused a different career if I did that. Nursing money is good but not worth it. Punched, kicked, cursed out and still have to be the one to deliver care. It’s rough out there. Find out if it is tolerable for you

It was impossible to plan a work schedule in nursing school. Clinical days would have to change at the last minute. I remember having clinical dates and times change one day before they occurred. Unfortunately nursing school controls your life while you are there since every part is essential to graduate (classes, clinicals, benchmark exams we took to monitor competence). I think taking out student loans would be the best way to pay for school. When I was in nursing school, less than 80% was failing and you could not “fail” (get under an 80%) in two courses or you had to restart the program. Almost half of the class did not progress past the first year because of this. Nursing school is worth the time and investment, so don’t risk your grade to work more if loans are an option.

No free food unless you the hospital is code black with revolving door admissions. Cue pizza party.

Keep in mind that with both of the above options you still receive your regular pay from your employer; you simply have to be employed in a designated underserved area/facility.

The other tidbit of advice is to cut everything literally to bare bones NOW, and save every penny you can. While your job may work with your schedule NOW, the further along you get, the more hours you will need to devote to clinicals and preparation for them. You will most likely also need to complete a role transition/preceptorship for several weeks, at the end of your program, and may have little to no control over you schedule during that time- you work whatever schedule your assigned preceptor works, most likely 12 hour shifts, including weekends.

If you’re willing to consider a different path, it’s relatively easy for nursing students to obtain employment as nurses aides/patient care technicians. This offers the advantage of practical experience, an employer that is most likely willing to work with your school schedule, and possibly an tuition reimbursement option.

I agree — would only recommend private loans (as small as possible) if he had maxed out federal aid and needed a little more $ to spare his health/wellness.

I quit a sedentary career and re-trained for a job that has me on my feet (you can do this! It’ll be amazing!). Good call on switching to Altras. Shoes with a wide toe box made a big difference for me too. Regular shoes just pinch too much after a long day.

The other thing that helped me was foot strength exercises. Maybe you got some from PT already. If not, there are plenty online.

The two years will go fast. The first day of my training program feels like just yesterday. I wish you the very best of luck!

I would strongly consider a roommate to cut down on expenses. It would be a temporary adjustment but could help keep the debt load down.