How has the economy affected you?

JEdwards · #1 02-16-2009, 07:59 AM

Hey all, Jeff here. I have been having such a difficult time here these last couple of months. I sometimes feel like I'm the only one having such a hard time financially with these tough economic days. I lost my home in MI last October and moved to TN, and I still haven't found a job. And the outrageous thing is that I'm a nurse (licensed practical nurse).

We often hear about the shortage of nurses, but what they fail to say is that it's RN's (registered nurse) that are needed. I've been nursing since 1997, and I have never had any problems finding a job. But it is so different now. I never thought that I would see the day when a LPN would have a hard time finding employment. It's like we don't exist anymore.

I've been desiring to back to school to become a registered nurse for years, but could not afford it. Since the first of this year, I've been applying for grants, loans, and anything that I can think of to be able to get back in school. But you know what I've come to realize? Almost every grant and scholarship that is offered, 9 out of 10 are for minorities. And I'm just beside myself because of it. I've applied for at least 50 grants and scholarships since January and have been declined because I'm not Spanish, Latin, Asian, Indian, or black.

Don't get me wrong, friends. I don't fault anyone for being able to make it and doing well, anyone. I pray that the Lord blesses everyone that I meet. What I don't understand is why someone that was born in this country, served in this military, and has paid taxes from the first job over 20 years ago, cannot qualify for any assistance to go back to school simply because I'm not a minority. One example that I can give recently is that the medical facility that I worked at in MI before moving to TN was operated predominately by Indian nurses. And come to find out that everyone of them came to this country and got 4 years of college paid for in full due to the fact that they were from India and qualified as a minority. And here I can't even get a small loan, grant, or scholarship to back to RN school because I was born here.

I don't mean to be critical. I'm just having a difficult time. What are your thoughts, if any? Blessings to you. Jeff

ILG · #2 02-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Hi Jeff,

I have considered going to LPN school. You are the second LPN and there was one RN who said hositals are phasing out LPN's. You would think with the shortage that they would love to have LPN's. Can you tell me more about this? Maybe I shouldn't bother investing my time.

My husband works in a medical center that uses LPN's in the clinic side. Hospital side uses RN's.

As far as the economy, the biggest ways it has affected us is my husband's 401K and then the medical center is in a hiring freeze. Because of this, my husband has had to work more hours because they won't let him hire help. He is working too much, but his job seems pretty secure and so we are thankful for that.

At the library where I work, circulation is up. We figure it's probably the economy....people don't want to buy books and they don't want to buy or rent movies.

ILG · #3 02-16-2009, 08:48 AM

P.S. Tell them you are gay.

You will get a scholarship then.

pelathais · #4 02-16-2009, 09:49 AM

The economy has given me a Democratic President, though the woeful showing by Republicans is largely responsible for that as well. The economy has provided cover for the Dems to spend almost $800 billion in payoffs to their union and activist causes as well as earmarks for those "special projects" in the home districts of the powerful pols.

The $100's of millions for things like "contraceptives" really go into the general fund of groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL who use the money for their political lobbying and campaign contributions. All that tax money goes for things the taxpayers would never vote to spend it on and millions, ultimately billions get channeled right back into the pockets of the Democrats who voted to spend the money in the first place.

ILG · #5 02-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

The economy has given me a Democratic President, though the woeful showing by Republicans is largely responsible for that as well. The economy has provided cover for the Dems to spend almost $800 billion in payoffs to their union and activist causes as well as earmarks for those "special projects" in the home districts of the powerful pols.

The $100's of millions for things like "contraceptives" really go into the general fund of groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL who use the money for their political lobbying and campaign contributions. All that tax money goes for things the taxpayers would never vote to spend it on and millions, ultimately billions get channeled right back into the pockets of the Democrats who voted to spend the money in the first place.

MissBrattified · #6 02-16-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

P.S. Tell them you are gay.

You will get a scholarship then.

Well, I guess if David could pretend to be a lunatic....

ILG · #7 02-16-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Well, I guess if David could pretend to be a lunatic....

Hey, the end justifies the means, eh??

Seriously, when I was working in the domestic violence field, which is largely pro-gay, you could get special scholarships for conferences if you were gay!! If that isn't discimination, I don't know what is!!

I also read on the news that some girl is suing because she didn't get a scholarship because she isn't gay.