Best way to get ED and hired at 55yrs

Nurses Career Support

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I have wanted to be nurse forever. But circumstances got in the way. I read some other threads about age and being older. I feel loke I can do it. I just have some questions about the best way to go about it.

If a person is older, like I am, 55, and wants to become a nurse. Some of the nurses here are saying that it is harder for older people to get a job because of training expenses. So, would it be better to first become a CNA, Then immediately an acute care CNA, then immediately an LVN/LPN. That way we will have alot of hands on experience.

Also, do you all think that at 55, I would be able to get an job as a LVN/LPN and an assisted living/Nursing Home, fairly easy. I would like to become an LVN/LPN and work in an assisted Living/Nursing Home, or even Home Health, Hospice. Does anyone have any advise for me, like what track I should take at my age, I don't really want o become an RN because of the length of schooling and the stress. And it seems it is difficult to find a job.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm right there with ya age wise and can't imagine, despite being in decent shape I still run twice a week, my back holding out for long with the grueling regimen of a CNA. CNA wages are pretty low also, imo. LPN would be a little kinder physically but know you will probably have to work on LTC. It pays decent but is challenging. The main thing I would consider before changing careers at this age is just how long do you think you will be employed before retiring and try to be realistic because imo so many really aren't. Good luck!

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Becoming an LPN/LVN usually takes about a year. I would research the pay in your area for that type of nursing as well as the cost of schooling. If you think you could handle loan payments as well as living expenses on LVN/LPN pay, I would say it would be worth it. However I would be wary of taking on a huge student loan if the job market is unstable and you plan on retiring in a short while. Bedside nursing is very demanding physically, in LTC as well as hospitals. Home Health may be less physically demanding as well as a good employment opportunity for LPN//LVNs. Some of the LPN/LVNs I have worked with are some of the best nurses I have ever met.

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

I would consider starting with a CNA job in an LTC to see if you like/can hack it before you invest in LPN/LVN school. It's physically brutal work, and while there are definitely 55 year olds out there who can do it, there are plenty of people (even much younger) who can't. Better to find that out in advance if it's the case for you. And if you do like it- you'll have some experience and connections and a leg up on your skills and comfort level when you get to school.

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Specializes in Neurosciences, stepdown, acute rehab, LTC.

Yes, try being a CNA first in a nursing home. That does give you a good idea of whether you'll like it or not. At my school , you could get your RN but take your LPN boards at semester 3. So, you would start in say, September in 2016 and then finish LPN by December 2017 and only have 4 months left to RN. LPNs are phasing out so I encourage you to consider that if you can. Generally you can always get a job in a nursing home, even as LPN, but a lot of people really don't like workong in there. RN- ADN youll just have more businesses that want to take you and have the possibility of something less physically demanding if you wanted to work past age 65. Hospice , home health, clinic etc.

edit: I think hospice and others also take LPNs. But the RN would give you an edge anywhere. Also , Google about the market in your area . It varies across the country.

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