My Ways To Make Some Extra Money Has Paid Off!

My Ways To Make Some Extra Money Has Paid Off! It's been awhile since I wrote on here, but I did decide to go back to school and am taking the prerequisite courses for nursing (anatomy and physiology I and stats are done; A&P 2 and micro comes next semester.)

I've been working and going to school in the evenings and plan to keep my job until I start nursing school. In the meantime, I've been trying to find other ways to make some cash and pay down credit card debt and keep rent money flowing when I do give the job up.

I've done a lot of helping people move their belongs and lawn mowing on the weekends, which has helped me raise extra cash.

John Benson photo

I read a bunch of different ways to earn money and about personal finances from Reddit and articles on NosyNation about getting my finances in order.

Those sites were really helpful. I scoured craigslist and backpage in my area and found a few good gigs that paid cash. The extra cash has been socked away and put towards my CC debt.

I've earned about an extra $1500 bucks so far in the last 5 months.

The only bad thing about using this method is that it's not always consistent, especially the moving.

One weekend I'll see three or four listings for moving help. That's all fine and dandy, and I call them up and offer my services.

The problem comes the next weekend: Nobody needs help.

I also picked up lawn mowing gigs, too. Those were pretty consistent -- lawns need to be mowed every week -- and I've got some good clientèle so far.

Now that winter is here the mowing stopped and the snow started. It hasn't been very snowy around here, so I haven't been busy, which is probably why I'm writing this.

The extra money has been great, but I think I may try to continue doing this on the weekend.

I do have about 4 hours after my "real job" where I could do something simple like stock shelves or be a cashier.

Should I get a another job?

I want this debt paid before I start my RN program but I also realize that Americans are more in debt now than ever.

According to an article just published by USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/07/29/america-debt-loads/13152651/, one-third of Americans are in delinquent debt.

When it's delinquent, it means that the debt is way past due and they closed the account and have put the debt to collections.

Thirty-five percent of Americans get phone calls from collection agencies because they don't pay their bills.

I'm lucky that I don't have this style of debt. I've always paid the minimum amount on my credit cards -- while raking up more purchases on them.

Nonetheless, I have debt but have always paid on it. I've been working to pay it down the past two years. (I made some mistakes when I got my first credit card my freshman year in college. 'Hey, this is free money. Let's go party!')

I only have a 1K left to pay down and then I'm home free. I think that's why I'll get a second job.

I may also try to explore other avenues to try and find ways to make some extra money. I've signed up on a few writing platforms like Hubpages. I've also got an account on Fiverr but I'm not sure what I can sell just yet.

What's Cooking: Possible Career Change and Learning the Fastest Way to Become a Nurse?

Today, one can become a nurse through more ways than were available then in the traditional nursing schools and programs. Accelerated and short-term nursing programs are increasingly being offered nationwide. I'm writing about this because I'm thinking of making a career change. Here's my research, for anybody else who comes across my site, about the fastest way to become a nurse.

1. Take diploma or vocational nursing programs. Community schools offer courses that lead to licensed vocational nursing (LVN) or licensed practical nursing (LPN) jobs. The program usually takes between 1 and 2 years which involves training students on hands-on and practical care for patients who are generally stable. The actual length that a student finishes the program largely depends on whether the student is attending school fulltime or part-time. To become licensed, a student who has completed the program must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX – PN).

2. Become a registered nurse through an associate degree program. Most community colleges around the country offer the 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). (Source: How long is nursing school for RN?) By far, this is the shortest route to becoming an RN. Your best bet would be to visit a college in your community and seek the guidance of a nursing college advisor. The advisor will be able to provide you with important information regarding prerequisite courses, SAT or ACT percentile required, and length of time to finish the degree. You might also want to know whether the program offered by the college will earn you credits to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, should you decide to pursue one.

3. Enrol in a 12- to 18-month accelerated BSN if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. A word of caution though; this accelerated baccalaureate program caters to courses on a full-time basis only. The education and learning process is highly focused and rather intense compared to the more traditional four-year BSN course. Even the program’s admission standards are somewhat higher than usual; you have to submit yourself and hurdle a comprehensive pre-screening procedure prior to your acceptance in the program. Make sure you possess at least a 3.0 GPA, which is typically required by schools. Some schools and learning institutions might require higher GPA than 3.0

On a positive note, graduates of accelerated programs are highly preferred by many employers because of their enhanced personalities and broad background. Because of their previous experiences, they generally exhibit more maturity and compassion, and unusually high level of motivation. They are also more controlled under nerve-wracking situations and more tolerant of the many issues that are present in the workplace.

4. Take a four-semester generic master’s degree program. With greater concentration on research and theory, this program generally provides training to both nursing and non-nursing degree holders. In addition, the program trains and grooms them to become advanced practice nurses or APNs. The whole program takes an average of 4 semesters which includes 1 semester of clinical internship. If you are asking about how many years of college to be a nurse, remember that you don't have to do a bachelor's or master's degree to be an RN. All you need is a 2 year nursing degree but the additional education will help you market yourself in the field.

5. Enrol in online nursing programs. Online programs make it possible for you to become a nurse faster or slower than others, depending on how you pace with your studies. Registered nurse programs have not only become shorter and quicker to finish. They have also become more economical and accessible.
Nursing programs available online include Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) for paramedics and practical or vocational nurses, RN-to-BSN for graduates of associate degree in nursing, and higher nursing programs, such as Master of Science in Nursing or Nursing Doctorate. Online programs also make it possible for those currently employed to study in their own time and pace.

Licensure

Before you can practice the nursing profession, you need to review for, and pass the National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN. In the case of LPNs, they take the corresponding licensure as mentioned earlier. Qualification and requirements vary by state; it is best to inquire from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) – the administering body.

Work Environment

Nurses work in various environs, like hospitals, medical facilities, doctor’s private clinics, schools, homes for the elderly, medical and healthcare centres, and government agencies.

Undoubtedly, nursing ranks among the highly stressful occupations anywhere in the world, yet it also offers fulfilling rewards economically and professionally. There is great respect for the profession, its demand increases steadily, and nurses earn a handsome salary.