Anybody attend Everest Institute (formerly Olympia) for PN?

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Had my kids, worked part time on and off over the years doing various things - mostly customer service stuff, went to school for a Computer Science degree, but no jobs to be had w/o experience (especially here in Michigan), decided to go back to school for nursing. My goal is to end up with a Masters (why not?!:). But first things first.

My question is - which option would you suggest:

I have the option of going to school for bachelors in nursing another lo-o-o-o-oooong four years (remember, I've already racked up 4+ years and a lot of loans for a different degree, so I'm not looking forward to more schooling). This means I wouldn't be able to work in the field (no experience/no degree) for another 4 years. That would be spring of 2011 - and worse - that puts me at 54 years old - I mean 54 yrs young :) when I graduate.

Or I could go take a CNA class - takes 6 weeks, costs just under $700, and I could start working right away - early as December - after "graduating" (albeit working in a nursing home, but ya gotta start somewhere). Then I could take classes starting in January, ending in December for a 1 year intensive PN diploma via Everest Institute (used to be Olympia Training). Meanwhile, start taking the prereq classes such as Chem and Bio (that I didn't take/need for the computer degree) and apply for nursing school the following year (2009) at Grand Valley - best estimate for graduation is still 2011 (if I hustle). That still puts me at around 54, but with experience working as I go.

Question:

~Anyone start out their career as a CNA? Does it make sense to start there, for $$ and experience reasons?

~Has anyone attended Everest/Olympia for Practical Nursing, and if so, how long before you got a job after graduating (and are they legit)?

~Anyone else over 50 and going to school for nursing?

~I can work any hours/shifts (all my kids are teens or older), but what is the reality of working while going to school?

I am so very nervous about being viewed as a silly 50 year old lady going back to school. Any advice would be appreciated (except the advice of not going to school - wild horses couldn't keep me away - I'm just nervous)

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Even at 50 you might not be the oldest person in your class.

"Silly 50 year old lady?" NONSENSE!

GO FOR IT.

What Everest Campus are you considering?

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The Everest campus in Grand Rapids, MI.

I can start in January, be finished by Christmas (literally- Dec 23rd)

She (admissions) also stated that 50 is not too old to start nursing school, then told me the average age of an RN is around 46.

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The Everest campus in Grand Rapids, MI.

I can start in January, be finished by Christmas (literally- Dec 23rd)

She (admissions) also stated that 50 is not too old to start nursing school, then told me the average age of an RN is around 46.

Well if you go for the PN, you could finish up your RN online at Excelsior college while you work and maximize your financial return!

Talk to a few Everest students. Hang out outside the building and catch them on smoke breaks. They are most likely to be candid then! LOL! See what they say about the program.

JMHO, I think you should go for the PN or RN, whether at Everest or elsewhere. Reach for the sky. 50 is YOUNG!

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Specializes in LTC, hospitals and correctional settings.

If you have a 4 year degree already, lots of schools have "fast track" RN programs. I would NOT suggest starting out as a CNA in a nursing home at your age. The work is literally back breaking and you could end up having a permanent injury, ending your nursing career before it even started. I'm in my mid 40's and have been doing this kind of work for better than 15 years and can't keep up with the CNA's.

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Heeeyy Over 50!!!

All I have to say is.....YOU Go Girl!!! You keep that drive and never give up your dream. Stay determined and if no one else encourages you, keep encouraging yourself and talk to us on allnurses.com, we're definitely here for you!

Only the strong survive!

I'm 37 with 4 kids, husband, a home, full-time job, bills up the whazu and the list goes on and on. But that number one person that I have to lean on when I feel discouraged or the load is getting too heavy is GOD. He'll never steer you wrong.

You are only as old as you feel.

Age is only a number!

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This school comes equipped with the SimMan (a computerized patient simulator). It gives students a realistic learning experience.

Their very first graduate class suppose to be this November 2007.

I attended the open house in August and everything sound so good to be true, especially the evening clinicals which that is what I was looking for so I won't have to quit my job or work evenings/midnights. Mornings from 9-1p and evenings 6-10 pm. More schools should offer evening classes. This is 2007!!!

Okay, back to this school. They don't accept prerequisites, they are not required. Associates is a 15-month program and they offer the NET test. They don't offer financial aid.

Here's the thing that knocked me off balance. The program is....30,700!!!! You can apply for a scholarship worth up to 3,000.

They suggest you take a loan out or take out a second mortgage on your home.

What do you think???

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I just transferred from South Suburban College in South Holland, IL.

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I am patred5's daughter Steph. I would like to get a surgical tech certificate, degree preferred. So can someone please help out there or spread the word to someone that is seeking the same goal.

I'm a high school graduate and I need help!!! I heard horrible things about Brown Mackie and Everest. I heard that Everest in Merriville tells you that its a degree but you end up receiving a certificate in surgical tech.

I'm very interested in this field. I know I have nerves talking about surgical tech programs on the nursing site, but can someone help lead me in the right direction????? Please!

Steph in Indiana

please use the pm facility with any information

Thank you ALL!!

Good Luck with nursing!

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"If you have a 4 year degree already, lots of schools have "fast track" RN programs. I would NOT suggest starting out as a CNA in a nursing home at your age. The work is literally back breaking and you could end up having a permanent injury, ending your nursing career before it even started. I'm in my mid 40's and have been doing this kind of work for better than 15 years and can't keep up with the CNA's."

I've looked into the fast track - of the colleges that offer RN within 75 miles of Grand Rapids (I'm willing to drive that distance), they either:

1) have a looonnngg waiting list - even for the fast track up to 2 years.

2) have prerequisites and my degree was in computers - no biology/ anatomy/chemistry, so I'll have to take all those medical/core classes before I can be accepted and begin nursing classes.

3) have the "fast track" fashioned in such a way that I'm still graduating about the same time as a 4 year program (mostly because I need to take all those medical prerequisites) - furthermore, they strongly suggest I don't work while attending the accelerated due to the intensity of all the classes - and I can't afford to not work during that time (I intend to pay as I go and/or have all my loans paid off by the time I graduate)

I agree with you on the CNA back-breaking scenario - I'm in shape, but I'm am also 50 - and I don't need to be put out of commission with an injury.

What do you think about training as a medical assistant/unit secretary? That way I could be in the "thick of things" around nurses while going to school for the RN. I could do a quick 17 week intensive class for med assistant and go to work right away. Anybody start out this way?

Anyway, y'all have been very informative and kind to your "elders" ... :) I really appreciate any advice. Thanks! :)

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Well if you go for the PN, you could finish up your RN online at Excelsior college while you work and maximize your financial return!

Talk to a few Everest students. Hang out outside the building and catch them on smoke breaks. They are most likely to be candid then! LOL! See what they say about the program.

JMHO, I think you should go for the PN or RN, whether at Everest or elsewhere. Reach for the sky. 50 is YOUNG!

You are so right - 50 is young, isnt it?! (you bring a tear to my eye :| )

And you're right about asking current students - I have to go to Everest today to talk to financial aid - I'll talk to students while I'm there, and ask for references of those who have already graduated.

My husband agrees with you re: reach for the sky - four years will pass whether I go to school or not - may as well have something to show for it!

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragement! :)

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Heeeyy Over 50!!!

All I have to say is.....YOU Go Girl!!! You keep that drive and never give up your dream. Stay determined and if no one else encourages you, keep encouraging yourself and talk to us on allnurses.com, we're definitely here for you!

Only the strong survive!

I'm 37 with 4 kids, husband, a home, full-time job, bills up the whazu and the list goes on and on. But that number one person that I have to lean on when I feel discouraged or the load is getting too heavy is GOD. He'll never steer you wrong.

You are only as old as you feel.

Age is only a number!

Thanks! I don't normally do chat rooms/blogs. I just happened to find this site and was quite wary of joining and posting. But after reading the encouraging words everyone gives to one another - no snippy remarks, no accusations - just clean, honest conversation - I couldn't resist - I had to join in and ask for advice on what I should do. And everyone has been so nice! I will definitely be "talking" on allnurses.com

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