Nov 08, 2012, 09:58 pm
Last edited Nov 08, 2012, 09:58 pm
update #2
Hi New.Beginning,
I went through the exact dilemma you are experiencing now. At the end of a 12 year career working as a nanny, I needed a change and decided to study nursing, enrolling in the Cert IV course. I had to attend classes 4 days a week for 6 hours a day. I am 32 and don't have the luxury of living at home with mum and dad - I still had rent, utilities etc to pay and also had to still think about saving for a mortgage. The way that I managed to do it was by running own small cleaning business. I cleaned a childcare center for 4 hours a day mon-fri as well as 2 houses each sat, for 6 hours and one on thurs for 4 hours (tafe day off). I was able to clean the childcare center anytime between 6pm and 6am, so ended up going before and after course on tues and thurs and early sat before cleaning the houses. I chose to do it this way so that I would have time to spend with my partner, dogs and have some nights where I could work on assignments and study. It was annoying getting up at 3 am, knowing that I still had to go to tafe AND go back and clean again before I would get the luxury of sleep. Coffee became a very good friend over the year I can tell you! I not only managed to earn more than enough to get by but as I was working as a self contractor, I was able to claim many tax benefits, earning over $40,000 in the year without having to pay ANY tax. Infact, I got a refund of just over $4000.
I am also proud to say that I managed to obtain distinctions and high distinctions for all but one of my subjects. It wasn't a hard process, just bloody time consuming, scary knowing that I could not get sick as I had no-one to cover my cleaning at the center and annoying having to get up at stupid o'clock every 2nd day while my man snored thru my departure! I am now working full time in a neurosurgical ward of a private hospital as part of a graduate nurse program, having completed my first 6 months in the emergency department. If you want an easy way to support yourself, I highly recommend cleaning. Commercial cleaning is best as they want cleaning in hours outside tafe - good for when you are on clinical placement. Try not to go work for a cleaning company, the pay is CRAP - get an ABN and find some of your own clients - ask friends, family, put up flyers, do whatever you can to drum up work. And DON'T sell yourself short- I still clean the houses and charge $35 an hour. If you do a good job, people will pay.
As for the person telling you that you will burn yourself out, that all depends on your life situation, experience and determination. If you have worked hard for many years already and understand responsibility, time management and how to work under pressure there's no reason why you should get burnt out ( I did 4 days a week and full time work!). Don't give up on your plan to become a nurse, it CAN be done without burning yourself out while still getting top marks!!! Don't let anyone tell you how YOU will handle something - only you know that!
