career change

[lmp919]

Hello everyone...I need some advice. I recently took a company buyout from a major telecommunications company, where I worked as a sales associates for 10 yrs. I hated every minute of it. Throughout my time there, I went to college where, ironically, I majored in Telecommunications. I am now 30 and a single mom, and with this buyout I have recieved, I am finally in a position where I can actually pursue a career of my liking.

I fell in love with nursing in my early twenties, shortly after the birth of my son. I looked into all sorts of college programs, and everytime I thoguht I found something suitable for my hectic schedule, my hours and location would change at work. So here I am again, at a crossroads in life, and instead of pursuing a career in my specialty (telecomm or IT), I feel like I should get into nursing. I don't know how to do this. I live in NYC and found a program for a PCT that can be completed in 2 1/2 months. I'm thinking that perhaps I should do this, get certified and then get myself into community college where I can pursue an associates in nursing, or maybe a private institution where they have an accelerated track.

I need advice on getting myself into nursing. Does my idea sound good? Should I not go that route and just go straight into school? Although I received a generous buyout from my last job, the money will not last long enough for me to be unemployed for another two years. I do not qualify for unemployment and I have a mortgage and other bills to pay, along with supporting my child. How hard is it to become a nurse as a PCT? Also, what type of environment do PCT's work in?

[MBrnbsnmha/ed]

Hello,

Congrats to you for taking a step to become a nurse. You stated you want to be a nurse so why delay time by pursuing the PCT route? List your pros and cons and then move forward. PCT work can be labor intensive but why delay 2.5 months of taking the courses you need for your nursing degree?

[lmp919]

Well the only reason why I was going to do the PCT is so that I wouldn't have to be unemployed for too long...The community college where I'm hoping I can attend does have a waiting list, but I'm not exactly sure how it works on getting into that program. I'm going to go in and speak with someone from the admissions dept tomorrow and see about getting in for some summer courses. My main concern is that money does go very quickly, and although I'm pretty good with it, I'm afraid of finding myself in a bind. So much to think about right now. Thanks for encouragement, it is much appreciated and much needed. :-)

[jammin246RN]

I wouldn't discourage you from doing the pct route.... for 2 reasons. First you will get your feet wet and see what nursing is all about. Second if you find a job as a pct often times your employer will pay for your nursing degree AND offer you a job on completion. This will allow you to be sure of a job once you graduate. Currently new grads across the country are having a hard time finding work and this will work to your advantage. Many nursing programs are booked 6months to 1 year out and in this time you can look at getting your cna/pct. Being a pct you will have a solid grasp of the first 6 months of the program anyway (changing patients, making beds, emptying foleys, doing vital signs, etc...). Also if the employer is footing the bill they will often times work with your schedule. Either way you go, good luck!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Be sure to check out the availability of those positions before you jump. Call around! Also can you make ends meet with that small of an income? You need to prepare for the possibility of not finding employement as an RN as well. Being a tech WILL NOT give you much of an edge anymore. There are thousands of unemployed US nurses. Please think this over carefully. You might also look into doing the business end of admin for a Dr. office like I did while taking my prereqs. I worked full time and received benefits and went to school at night. I made more money than I would have as a tech and did it just with my business background and no extra training. It could be possible that your RN program might require you to become a CNA as a prerequisite to applying to entrance into the actual nursing program. If I were you I'd go to a college information session where you are interested in applying before going forward with any of this. DO NOT get your info from the college website only as often specific information is only given to info session attendies. At least set up a face to face with someone from the nursing department.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I encourage you to find ANY kind of a job in a hospital, preferably one that pays tuition for employees.

[WIN007]

you could also look at working as a pharm tech at a major drugstore chain. I know persons who did that. It would pay about the same, give you a big leg up on medications and also probalby be a lot less exhausting if you're trying to go to school too.

Please keep in mind nursing is flooded now with new grads who aren't finding work. If it's truly your passion then go for it by all means. Point is don't just go into it because you've heard about a supposed nursing shortage.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I live in NYC

I am not attempting to discourage you in any way, but keep in mind that a mind-blowing number of nurses are unemployed in NYC due to the poor economy. However, your local employment market may or may not change by the time you complete a nursing program.