Advice Needed: Pre-nursing entry level positions - Harrisburg, PA area

[CareerChange63]

Good afternoon all,

I'm hoping you can provide me with some advice as to entry level positions that would be consistent with returning to school for a nursing degree. The idea is to pay the bills while attending school and gain skills relevant to a career in n.

My wife and I have relocated to the Harrisburg, PA area. After 20+ years in banking, I rethought my career goals and objectives from a long term standpoint and want to focus on a career dedicated to giving back rather than taking. I've always had an interest in patient care (I was a volunteer firefighter for a number of years when I lived in New Jersey and worked in a hospital during a summer job in college) and have decided to pursue a nursing degree.

I have limited previous medical experience and in my job search have been focusing on entry level positions, such as Patient Care Attendant/Assistant to get my foot in the medical door, so to speak. Do you all think this is a good strategy/approach? Does anyone have additional suggestions? Thank you for your time.

Regards,

Mike.

[John SPN]

Hey Mike,

One option is that you could look into getting your CNA certification. A lot of community colleges offer them and can be completed quickly and for pretty cheap.

Another option would be to enter an LPN program. This option takes normally between 12 - 18 months and allows you a quick route into patient care while being able to do more things than a CNA.

Personally, I decided to go the LPN route and then plan to make the transition with an LPN - RN bridge program if I feel as though nursing is my true calling. Good luck!