These New Yorkers pay their bills, support their families and even help put their kids through college by collecting cans.
On a recent Wednesday evening, the blue-tinted plastic-bags loaded with empty cans and drained bottles look like a bunch of garbage to passers-by on the corner of Riverside Drive and West 89th Street. But to a group of family members from Queens, headed up by Jeanett Pilatacsi, they symbolize a livelihood.
Each bag is filled with about 200 discarded beverage containers — valued at five cents apiece when redeemed at an Elmsford, NY recycling center. Bit-by-bit, all of that aluminum and plastic provides an income for the Pilatacsi clan.
On the most profitable days, ambitious canners can accumulate 100 blue bags of returnables, which adds up to $1,000 in profits.
The Pilatacsis are not alone. According to Ryan Castalia, executive director of the non-profit Sure We Can redemption center, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 New Yorkers make money by collecting cans, bottles and plastic containers, and returning them to outlets for refunds. Of those, some 100 earn livelihoods through canning. Last month, it was reported that millionaire landlord Lisa Fiekowsky is known for collecting cans and bottles in her Brooklyn neighborhood and redeeming them.
Ray del Carmen, who lives in Brooklyn and now works as a manager at Sure We Can, said the savviest can-collectors know that some days are more profitable than others. Though his full-time canning days are behind him — he still helps out his girlfriend who collects cans for a living — he remembers one holiday most fondly.
Jeanett Pilatacsi (in yellow apron) with members of her family, who collect up to 100 bags of cans a day — a haul worth $1,000.William C. Lopez/NY Post
“St. Patrick’s Day was the best day,” Del Carmen told The Post. “Everyone starts drinking early. So, from 2 p.m. until 4 a.m., going from bar to bar, between 42nd Street and 45th Street, I made $800, working alone, in one day. They threw away empty bottles and cans, and I took them.”
Another hot hotspot is Flash Dancers. He remembers capitalizing on the jiggle-joint’s policy of pushing customers to purchase drinks. “In four or five hours, I could get 2,400 bottles” — which would generate $120.
Here are three stories of can collectors, all immigrants who arrived on US shores with no money and limited skills. Finding gold in other people’s refuse, they have turned themselves into shoestring entrepreneurs and discovered their American dreams.
Pilatacsi (in pink) said she and her family of 12 own a house in Rego Park, Queens, and their revenues pay all their bills.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Family Affair
While wealthy New Yorkers look askance at can collectors lugging recyclables through ritzy neighborhoods, Jeanett Pilatacsi, 38, says it is an occupation that brings self-respect and good pay.
“This is better than my old job, working in a candle factory,” she told The Post. “It was too many hours for too little money. Now, my family and I, we work together, from noon until 8pm, collecting cans until we fill up our truck.”
The bags are transported in a white 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van, purchased with credit. Sometimes the vehicle and the family members work overtime: “We’ll go out from 1 a.m. until 2 a.m. and collect bottles and cans from bars before they close.”
After Pilatacsi and her family bought this 2021 Mercedes Benz Sprinter van two years ago, she said, they were able to turn their can collecting pursuit into a proper business.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Their payoff tonight will come in cash, more than $600 for a long day of work, when a truck pulls up from the Elmsford-based recycling company Galvanize Group to take the goods.
Smaller, additional bags hold glass, but, Pilatacsi said, “Bottles are the hardest part. They are so heavy.” They also pay the same five cents per receptacle as aluminum and plastic — a sum that has stubbornly stuck in place since 1983, when five cents then was worth 15 cents now.
Though Pilatacsi and her family of a dozen are satisfied to be making bank this way, the business began out of necessity.
Pilatacsi said collecting cans came out of necessity after her father lost his construction job.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
“Fifteen years ago, my father lost his job in construction,” she said. “It was scary. We did not know how we would pay the rent. He went out with a shopping cart and started gathering cans. Now he is retired and we took over.”
At the beginning, she added, he would accumulate 30 boxes of returnables per week. Now, on their best days, the family members collect as many as 100 bags, which would be good for $1,000.
Their decision to treat can collecting as a business made it all possible, she said. They learned the value of forging relationships with doormen and porters, in order to obtain their discarded treasures, and to ignore the haters. “Sometimes people will say to me that we’re digging in garbage,” she explained with an eye roll. “But we don’t care. We know what we’re doing.”
She said a key element to successful can collecting is forging relationships with buildings’ doormen and porters.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
All 12 collection crew members are related and live together in a Rego Park house that they own. Pilatacsi said their profits from canning pay all their bills. When they’re not working, they eat meals communally, help to raise one another’s children and share in the thousands that can be earned each week.
After a day of canning in Manhattan, where they tend to forage from 99th to 86th Streets, Pilatacsi likes to unwind with a shower, family dinner and telenovela before going to bed, waking up the next morning and starting all over again.
The kids help collect cans every now and then when they’re not in school. Pilatacsi’s nephew Nelson, 11, plans to attend college and recently pitched in during the waning days of summer vacation. On weekends, he said, “We all take it easy and go to the park together.”
Former construction worker Mario Palonci, 70, said he makes up for financial shortfalls by collecting 2,000 cans a night when he can muster up the energy.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Retirement Plan
For Mario Palonci, a 70-year-old immigrant from the Czech Republic, canning has served as a lifeline.
A reformed alcoholic — “I drank 20 or 30 cans of beer per day,” he told The Post. “Beer, beer, beer…” — who had been living on the street after his construction jobs dried up, he now resides in a Brooklyn shelter and makes up for financial shortfalls by collecting 2,000 cans per night when he musters the energy to do it.
“Most people who work all night, they go home,” Palonci told The Post. “I spend the morning sorting through my cans, organizing them, putting them in the proper bags. It’s hard work, but it is the best work for me.”
Palonci came to New York from the Czech Republic.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Besides providing money, he said it earns him respect. “I work on Bedford Street,” said Palonci, who said he suffers from type 2 diabetes and transports his redeemable goods in a cart. “The bar owners know me and know that there will be no disorder from me. I am a professional.”
Meals are offered to him at the shelter but money from canning provides Palonci with other essentials. Besides additional food, transportation and clothing, he said, “I must have cigarettes and Internet. I need to read the news from home.”
Josefa Marin said she helped put her daughter through college via can collecting. Now, she and her boyfriend, Pedro Romero, are a team, foraging for cans nightly.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
Dual Income
For Josefa Marin, an immigrant from Mexico, the collecting of cans means nothing less than a better future for her child. During the early 2000s, her daughter was commuting from home to Briarcliffe College on Long Island, and Marin struggled to get by with a succession of low-paying jobs. One was in a clothing factory, another in a restaurant. After losing the restaurant gig and unable to find another, she turned to can collecting to pay for her daughter’s books, meals and commuting expenses.
Talking to others who collected cans, 53-year-old Marin picked up tips and discovered something amazing about a line of labor that seemed like a last resort.
“I’m my own boss and can work hard to be successful. I walked through Bushwick and Greenpoint, going into bars and restaurants, asking for their cans and bottles. At the beginning I was making $20 or $30 a day. Then it got to $90.”
Collecting cans allows Marin to be her own boss.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
These days, Marin benefits from her established connections with building workers who appreciate her coming by and taking bags of recyclable refuse off their hands.
“It’s all about relationships,” she said. “You show your work ethic and come with respect. You don’t make a mess and leave everything better than it was before you got there.”
In 2011, she had a chance meeting with a man called Pedro Romero, who was from her hometown of Puebla. He, too, was struggling to get by in NYC. They recognized one another, fell in love and combined forces to profitably can together. They now live together in a Williamsburg walk-up and work night and day, sleeping when they can (often in their car, which gets used for transport).
Marin and Romero can pull in up to 5,000 cans a day.Luis E. Velez for NY Post
As a team, she said they pull in 5,000 cans a day. Because they do their own sorting and separating at the non-profit Sure We Can, they can yield 6.5 cents per can.
When the couple considers their future, they have the same dream as many people nearing their golden years.
“Eventually, we want to take it easy” said Romero. “We are saving money and looking forward to returning home to our country. We’d like to retire together in Mexico.”
Investing in Your Future: How BSN Writing Assistance Strengthens Every Step of Your Nursing Career
Introduction
Nursing is one of the most respected and vital professions in the world. It combines Help with Flexpath Assessment science, compassion, and lifelong learning to deliver quality patient care. As the healthcare field evolves, so too does the need for nurses to expand their academic and professional qualifications. For many, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) represents the gateway to higher-level opportunities, professional recognition, and evidence-based practice.
However, pursuing a BSN is no small feat. Between clinical rotations, long shifts, and family responsibilities, nurses often face immense pressure to meet academic expectations. Among these challenges, writing assignments are one of the most time-consuming and intellectually demanding components of BSN education. They require critical thinking, precise research, and adherence to academic standards like APA formatting—all while balancing the demands of real-world nursing practice.
That’s why many students are turning to BSN writing assistance services. These services are not shortcuts—they’re strategic investments that help nursing students master academic writing, save time, and enhance their professional growth. They bridge the gap between clinical expertise and scholarly communication, enabling nurses to express their knowledge with clarity, confidence, and evidence-based reasoning.
This article, “Investing in Your Future: How BSN Writing Assistance Strengthens Every Step of Your Nursing Career,” explores the significance of writing assistance in BSN education, the benefits it brings to professional development, and how it acts as a long-term investment in a nurse’s career.
Section 1: The Role of Writing in BSN Education
1.1 Why Writing Matters in Nursing
Writing in nursing education is more than just an academic exercise—it’s a reflection of critical thinking, communication skills, and professional accountability. From care plans to research papers, nursing students must learn to express complex ideas clearly and support their claims with credible evidence.
A well-written paper demonstrates a nurse’s ability to analyze data, interpret clinical situations, and integrate research into practice. These skills are directly transferable to the workplace, where clear documentation, effective communication, and evidence-based decision-making are essential.
1.2 Writing as a Tool for Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the cornerstone of modern nursing. BSN programs emphasize using current research to improve patient outcomes. Writing assignments require students to:
Review peer-reviewed studies,
Evaluate methodologies, and
Apply findings to clinical scenarios.
This process deepens understanding and sharpens analytical reasoning—both crucial for advanced nursing roles.
1.3 The Academic Challenge
Despite their practical expertise, many nurses struggle with academic writing. The nurs fpx 4905 assessment 1 transition from hands-on care to scholarly expression can be daunting. Writing demands focus, organization, and familiarity with academic conventions that may not come naturally to working professionals.
Section 2: Understanding BSN Writing Assistance
2.1 What Is BSN Writing Assistance?
BSN writing assistance encompasses professional academic support services designed specifically for nursing students. These services help students plan, research, draft, and refine their academic papers in alignment with nursing standards and university requirements.
Common types of assistance include:
Research and topic selection guidance,
Help with organizing and structuring papers,
Editing and proofreading for grammar and APA format,
Feedback on clarity, tone, and argumentation,
Coaching on citation integrity and paraphrasing.
2.2 Who Can Benefit from Writing Assistance?
BSN writing support benefits a wide range of students, including:
Working nurses managing full-time jobs,
International students adjusting to academic English,
Returning learners who haven’t written in years, and
High-achievers aiming for excellence in every paper.
No matter the situation, writing assistance helps bridge skill gaps and boosts academic confidence.
2.3 The Purpose of Ethical Assistance
Reputable writing services focus on learning enhancement, not substitution. They guide nurs fpx 4025 assessment 2 students to become better writers rather than simply providing finished papers. Ethical BSN writing support emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and growth while maintaining strict academic integrity.
Section 3: The BSN Writing Challenge—Why Students Seek Help
3.1 The Demands of Nursing Programs
BSN curricula include an array of writing tasks such as:
Research essays,
Reflective journals,
Care studies,
Literature reviews,
Capstone projects, and
Evidence-based practice papers.
Each assignment type demands distinct writing skills. For time-constrained nurses, mastering all these formats simultaneously can be exhausting.
3.2 Time Pressure
Many BSN students work 12-hour shifts and manage family duties on top of coursework. Writing lengthy research papers after a draining workday can lead to stress, burnout, and missed deadlines.
3.3 Fear of Academic Writing
Some students find academic writing intimidating, particularly when adapting to APA formatting or synthesizing complex data into concise, coherent arguments. This fear can discourage participation and lower academic performance.
3.4 The Desire for Professional Growth
Others seek writing support not because they struggle, but because they want to excel. A polished, well-structured paper can make a lasting impression on instructors, demonstrating professionalism and dedication.
Section 4: How BSN Writing Assistance Works
4.1 Step 1 – Understanding the Assignment
Writing mentors help students dissect assignment instructions, ensuring they fully grasp the objectives, scope, and grading criteria.
4.2 Step 2 – Research and Source Evaluation
Students receive guidance on selecting relevant, credible nursing sources such as CINAHL, PubMed, or MedlinePlus. They learn how to evaluate data critically and avoid misinformation.
4.3 Step 3 – Structuring the Paper
A clear structure enhances readability. Writing services help organize ideas into nurs fpx 4035 assessment 4 logical sections: introduction, literature review, discussion, conclusion, and references.
4.4 Step 4 – Drafting and Refinement
The drafting phase includes feedback on coherence, tone, and argument strength. Students learn how to maintain academic voice while expressing their unique perspectives.
4.5 Step 5 – Editing and Formatting
Final reviews focus on eliminating grammatical errors, refining sentence flow, and ensuring adherence to APA or institutional formatting guidelines.
4.6 Step 6 – Learning Through Revision
Students receive detailed explanations for each suggested edit, enabling them to improve independently in future assignments.
Section 5: The Benefits of Investing in BSN Writing Assistance
5.1 Enhanced Academic Performance
High-quality writing assistance directly impacts grades by improving structure, clarity, and adherence to assignment requirements. It transforms average papers into professional submissions that stand out.
5.2 Improved Research Competence
Students learn how to locate and evaluate peer-reviewed nursing studies, interpret data, and synthesize findings effectively—core skills for evidence-based practice.
5.3 Better Time Management
With expert guidance, students can complete assignments faster and more efficiently, freeing up time for clinical work, family, and self-care.
5.4 Confidence Building
Constructive feedback builds self-assurance. Over time, students develop a stronger academic voice and a deeper understanding of nursing scholarship.
5.5 Career Advancement
Strong writing skills enhance professional communication—critical for nurses pursuing leadership, administrative, or academic positions.
Section 6: BSN Writing Assistance as a Career Investment
6.1 Academic Success Leads to Professional Growth
Graduating with strong writing and research skills makes BSN holders more competitive for promotions, scholarships, and advanced degrees such as MSN or DNP programs.
6.2 Leadership and Communication
Effective writing is key to leadership. Nurses who can articulate policies, research findings, and care recommendations clearly are well-positioned for management roles.
6.3 Publication and Research Opportunities
Proficient writers can contribute to nursing journals or professional conferences, sharing knowledge that shapes healthcare practice and policy.
6.4 Lifelong Learning and Evidence Integration
Writing assistance fosters lifelong learning habits. Once students master how to find and apply research, they carry that skill throughout their careers, continually improving patient outcomes.
Section 7: Ethical Dimensions of Academic Support
7.1 Upholding Integrity
Ethical writing services never promote plagiarism or ghostwriting. Instead, they provide coaching, editing, and structural guidance while ensuring students maintain authorship.
7.2 Encouraging Independent Learning
The goal of assistance is empowerment. Students become self-sufficient writers capable of handling increasingly complex nursing papers.
7.3 Academic Transparency
Legitimate services clearly explain their process, maintain confidentiality, and ensure students understand how to use assistance responsibly.
Section 8: Choosing the Right BSN Writing Assistance
8.1 What to Look For
A reliable BSN writing service should:
Employ writers with healthcare or nursing backgrounds.
Offer custom, original guidance—not prewritten papers.
Provide clear communication and revision support.
Have positive reviews from nursing students.
Follow institutional and ethical standards.
8.2 Red Flags
Avoid services that:
Guarantee grades or deadlines without context,
Offer “ready-to-submit” papers,
Lack transparent pricing or communication, or
Ignore academic integrity policies.
8.3 Maximizing the Support
Students should share their syllabus, rubrics, and previous feedback with mentors to ensure tailored guidance that aligns with course expectations.
Section 9: Real-Life Outcomes of Writing Assistance
9.1 Case Study – From Struggle to Success
Laila, a working RN pursuing her BSN online, struggled with APA formatting and research integration. Through consistent writing mentorship, she improved her citation accuracy and critical analysis. Within a semester, her GPA rose significantly, and she felt more confident presenting research at her workplace.
9.2 Case Study – Building Academic Confidence
Daniel, a nurse returning to school after 10 years, felt overwhelmed by modern academic standards. With writing assistance, he learned to organize papers effectively and critically engage with scholarly literature. His professors praised his progress and reflective insight.
9.3 Case Study – Preparing for Graduate Study
Sophia, a final-year BSN student, sought writing help to prepare for her DNP application essays. With professional editing and coaching, she refined her personal statement, emphasizing her leadership vision. She was later accepted into her first-choice university.
Section 10: How BSN Writing Support Promotes Professional Excellence
10.1 Effective Documentation
In the clinical setting, clear and concise documentation can prevent errors and improve patient safety. Academic writing training translates directly to professional communication excellence.
10.2 Advocacy and Policy Writing
Nurses frequently contribute to hospital policies, health education programs, and community initiatives. Strong writing skills empower them to advocate for change effectively.
10.3 Teaching and Mentoring
BSN graduates often mentor junior nurses or nursing students. The ability to communicate complex information through writing enhances their teaching and mentorship capacity.
10.4 Global Competence
As healthcare becomes increasingly globalized, well-written research and publications allow nurses to share innovations across borders, contributing to international best practices.
Section 11: Writing Assistance in the Digital Age
11.1 Online Learning Platforms
Modern writing assistance integrates with digital education systems, offering flexible online consultations and 24/7 access to resources—ideal for nurses working variable shifts.
11.2 AI-Powered Tools
AI-supported editing and plagiarism checkers complement human mentorship, ensuring accuracy and originality.
11.3 Collaborative Learning Communities
Writing assistance programs often create online forums where students share ideas, ask questions, and learn collaboratively.
Section 12: How to Balance Writing Assistance and Self-Effort
12.1 Active Participation
Students should treat writing assistance as collaboration. The more they engage—asking questions, revising drafts—the more they learn.
12.2 Practice Makes Progress
Writing regularly helps internalize skills learned from mentors. Over time, reliance on external help decreases as competence grows.
12.3 Reflective Practice
After each assignment, reflecting on feedback helps identify growth areas and track improvement across semesters.
Section 13: Financial and Professional Returns on Investment
13.1 Academic Investment
BSN writing assistance may require a financial commitment, but the returns—improved grades, confidence, and career advancement—far outweigh the cost.
13.2 Career Advancement Opportunities
Well-written academic work enhances resumes and portfolios, demonstrating initiative and scholarly depth that employers value.
13.3 Lifelong Value
The communication, research, and analytical skills gained through writing support have lifelong relevance—impacting every professional milestone from bedside care to executive leadership.
Section 14: The Transformative Power of Writing Assistance
BSN writing assistance transforms how nurses perceive academic work. What once felt like an obstacle becomes a platform for empowerment. Through mentorship, constructive feedback, and structured learning, students not only complete assignments successfully but also strengthen their professional identity.
Writing assistance is an investment in clarity, confidence, and communication—the very qualities that distinguish exceptional nurses from average ones.
Conclusion
Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is one of the most meaningful investments a nurse can make in their professional journey. Yet, the path is not without challenges. Writing assignments demand time, skill, and academic precision that can overwhelm even the most dedicated nurses.
BSN writing assistance offers a strategic solution—a support system that empowers students to write effectively, learn efficiently, and excel academically. It transforms stress into structure, confusion into clarity, and hesitation into confidence.
More importantly, the benefits of writing support extend far beyond graduation. They strengthen critical thinking, improve documentation, enhance leadership communication, and prepare nurses for the evolving demands of modern healthcare.
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Showcasing Excellence: How Professional Nursing Portfolio Writing Services Empower Your Career
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Crafting Effective Patient Education Materials: A Core Competency for BSN Students