How I Save Money as a Nursing Student in LA, CA
I have been on my own and working since I was 18 years old. I have been in and out of school, changed my major multiple times, wasted money, gained and lost my savings, and am still working on saving money!
Posted is my fall 2024 schedule for school! I will be taking 6 classes. Since 2020 , I have not spent a SINGLE DIME on textbooks or supplies for school! Here’s how :
1. Apply for EOP&S program at your school. They will give you bookstore credit of up to $200!
2. If you are living away from your parents and your parents refuse to pay for college or contribute, you can apply for unusual circumstances if A: you were in an abusive home B: you are not in contact with your parents or C: they are dead. Fair warning, it is quite a process but so worth it! This is my first year doing it.
3. I download ALL my books. I am taking my Medical Assistant (MA) program this year, and it took me 15 hours to download my books on the shitty wifi I have, but it was totally worth it. You will need to either go to Anna’s archive, libgen.is, or download a Tor browser and download from there. Editions do NOT MATTER AS MICH AS THEY WANT YOU TO BELIEVE THEY DO!! Please be careful with these sites, the more popular they become the more likely they will take it down.
4. For my birthdays and Christmas I ask for school supplies! Scrubs, tote bags, etc.
5: I am taking 6 classes because the more classes and better grades you get, the more financial aid you get! My school distributes first in the middle of the semester and then at the end. I only took four classes in freshman year, I failed my math class but still got $1200 back!
6. If you do not have access to resources, such as textbooks do not feel ashamed to ask your classmate to share!
7. The only thing I spent money on was my laptop and iPad , but I afterpaid my iPad!
#nursingstudent #nursing #Lemon8 #college #grades #money #MoneyTips #nurse #nurselife #nurselifestyle
4.
Hey fellow nursing students! I know firsthand how tough it is to balance demanding studies and the ever-present financial squeeze, especially here in Los Angeles. Beyond the awesome tips I already shared, I've got a few more procedures and hacks that have seriously helped me keep my head above water. First, let's talk about LA living. Transportation can be a killer, but getting a TAP card for public transit or joining a carpool for clinicals can save you a ton. For food, meal prepping is non-negotiable. I try to make big batches of healthy, affordable meals on Sundays – think lentil soup, chicken and rice bowls, or big salads. Look out for student discounts on apps like UniDays or StudentBeans for groceries or occasional treats. Some campuses even have food banks, so don't be shy about checking those out! When it comes to housing, it’s all about roommates. Splitting rent, utilities, and even internet can drastically cut your monthly expenses. I've found that living just a bit outside the most central areas can offer much better value without adding too much to a commute. Now, let's touch on something crucial for our studies, especially for courses like Clinical Medical Office Procedures that show up on our schedules. Textbooks are just one part of the cost. For these practical courses, you often need to understand the 'how-to' without shelling out for every single resource. My go-to procedure is maximizing campus resources! The library often has copies of textbooks on reserve, and they're a goldmine for anatomy atlases or procedure guides. Don't underestimate study groups – we share notes, quiz each other, and practice skills, which is way more effective and free than buying extra workbooks. YouTube and other free online platforms are amazing for visual learners, breaking down complex procedures or concepts. Also, connecting with upperclassmen can give you invaluable insights into what resources are truly necessary and which ones you can skip. Finally, when that financial aid money comes in, it's easy to feel rich for a moment, but that's a trap! My personal procedure is to immediately create a detailed monthly budget. Decide how much goes to rent, food, transport, and a small amount for emergencies or self-care. Try to make it last, and if you have any left over, consider putting it into a high-yield savings account or paying down high-interest debt – future you will thank you! Understanding student loan repayment options early, even if it feels far off, can also save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. Being proactive with your finances while in nursing school is just as important as acing your procedures in clinicals. You got this!
