Help! I am so confused and desperate!

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Hello everyone. I really need some help because I have been struggling with a decision for several years and I need to do something as I am not happy doing nothing. I am currently a Patient Care Tech in a really nice hospital, make decent money but it isn't what I am called to do or want to do. I am also a Medical Assistant but in Texas the pay is horrible. I make more as a Tech then I would as a CMA. I am ready to move on and all my co-workers say I should be a nurse, that I am really great with patients, etc. My only issue is my age. I am 59. I have to work full-time as I am a single mom. My boys are older so that is not an issue but my job is backbreaking and I work nights to make more money. I am really tired after three 12-hour shifts. I haven't been to school for years and I am really afraid of the Math and Science classes and the time involved in getting my RN especially all the prereqs. So with that said this is what I am thinking.

I could get my LVN and it would only take a year then I could bridge over to the RN skipping those prereqs. Also I could do both of those things online. I cannot find an associate degree in the RN program online and there is no way that I can sit in a class for two years plus work in a hospital. That is not going to work. Another option is getting a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counseling degree which would take two years all online with no Science or Math classes. The pay isn't as good as an RN but its not bad and more than I make as a Tech. You see I am really struggling because the RN degree is going to be really hard, take a long time and I will be in my 60's by the time I graduate IF I can pull it off. My co-workers (all RN's) are telling me they didn't work when they went to school or they got sick cause of stress or they didn't do well working so they quit cause they had parents and husbands. If I had a way to cut my hours back or quit I would most definitely go for the RN but I don't have that option.

In all honesty I am scared to pay all that money and then fail. Your suggestions, help, recommendations would be welcome. Please,,, this is driving me crazy and I honestly do not want to be a Tech for the rest of my days. I have so much more to offer and I am a very young 59 year old. Thanks for your help. Sincerely Raquel

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Hi

I certainly can understand your frustration. Patient care is hard work - and it only gets harder as we age. I'm already there!

Going for your LVN license is probably a good idea. There are many vocational schools that are relatively inexpensive & it's possible to do this in under a year. However, in order to bridge to a degree that will allow you to take NCLEX & obtain your RN license, you will still have to complete the general education (non-clinical) pre-requisite courses associated with the degree because there aren't any diploma RN programs left in Texas.

You're wise to consider the return on your educational investment considering that you don't have too many years left before you're eligible for retirement. It wouldn't make any sense to rack up student loan debt at this point. Please take the time to explore sources of financial aid that may be available to help you with your education. Talk to an admissions counselor at your local community college - you may be surprised to discover that the picture isn't as bleak as you think it is.

Wishing you all the best as you move ahead with your decision.

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So you are basically telling me to get my LVN. That the BSN is too hard at my age? I make more money as a Tech at this hospital that I work than I would working in a nursing home as a LVN. I have already worked at a nursing home for a year and it isn't for me. Are there other areas for LVN's that pay more than $20.00 an hour? Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

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