We already do spend a lot on education. The problem is when these kids go back home. What's going to fix the parenting problem?
Your calculations are off. If the RN is a married person with 2 kids, only earner he/she takes home $5,300 a month. A full thousand dollars more than you claim.
If this is a single RN, then get out of that 2000 sqft house and rent a one bedroom apartment for $1,000/month because that's what you can afford and you'll free up a full thousand dollars in that way. And you don't have to rent forever, just for a few years until you save up a decent chunk for downpayment. Yeah, you'll have to sacrifice and save.
You'll also free up another $200/month in "repairs" because you dont' own a house to repair.
Those two alone gives you $1200/month or $14,400 /year in disposable income if single.
$12,000/year of disposable income if married with kids over and above your budget.
So not teetering on the edge of financial ruin. And if you are teetering that close because you cannot budget, get your spouse to dust up the resume and have them be part of the workforce that is at 3.5% unemployment rate. At least during school hours so you dont have to pay for daycare.