Juggling three lives: The reality of caregiving and school

Shanklin, a licensed certified nursing assistant for over two decades, chose to formalize her role as her grandfather's caregiver through a home health agency. This transition allowed her to manage his medication, doctor visits, and daily safety while she pursued a cosmetology degree. The logistics, however, were punishing. To accommodate 28 hours of weekly night classes, she shifted her professional nursing hours to an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. stint, followed immediately by her caregiving duties from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Financial reality often falls short of public perception in this field. While Shanklin receives $18.30 an hour through the state of Illinois, she notes that agency fees significantly impact take-home pay. Beyond the wages, she and her mother contribute $250 to $300 monthly out of pocket for her grandfather’s personal care items and groceries. Despite the physical exhaustion and the high stakes of medical responsibility, Shanklin successfully completed her program this March. She now plans to balance her nursing career with a side business in hair and nails, maintaining the same rigorous work ethic that carried her through school.