I need help and advice, please

[CarlosB]

Hi, everyone. My name is Carlos, I live in Venezuela. I apologize in advance for my English.

My situation is, I am 36 old, married, and I have a 4 years old daughter. My previous 18 years experience in Venezuela is in Telecomunications, mostly as a manager. However, as you all must know, our country is going throught a huge problem, and right now most people are unemployed, most of the companies are closing and about everyone that is able is leaving the country.

I found a way to come and live in the USA, by studying this career. It is however intimidating for me because:

1). It seems like almost 99% of the people that study this career are women. :imbar

2) My real vocation is medicine, so I don't know if after I complete the 4 years career and if I want then to switch to medicine, I will get credits for my previous studies as nurse.

3) I f I decide to stay as a nurse, I would like to specialize on whatever will give me the chance to earn more. Aparently anesthetics is the best, since this point of view. However, my litle research shows me that is very complicated to be accepted on schools that offer this speciality. What are my chances, and what other options will give me the chance to earn the best income levels.

4) Most of the places that I have found, are very very expensive, specially taking in consideration that I would be a foreing student so I won't have the chance to get a loan from any bank or institution, and that I would also have to bring my wife and my daugther with me (aparently very soon our government will launch a law that will prohibit people to take their childrens out of the country, so we need to get out asap). In your experiencie, I would like to know what colleges are good and no expensive (In florida, if possible). :stone

5) Since I am 36, and I will have to come with all those issues in my back, what is the shorter way for me to get the chance to be sponsored and work, and if possible, what is the shorter way to complete the whole career, including the specialization.

I hope anyone can help me with advice, and let me know your experiences in any of these issues. I will really apreciate it. :)i

[nursenikki]

Hi Carlos I hope I can help a little. First of all don't be worried about the fact that most nurses are women, more men are becoming nurses and we need male nurses. If you want to go into medicine, become a doctor, it is my belief that becoming a nurse first is a good idea. You need a bachelors degree to attend medical school so getting your bachelors in nursing will qualify you. If you want to specialize in nursing anesthetics does pay the best, however you can become a nurse practitioner and also be paid fairly well. You can attend a two year nursing program, they are cheaper then bachelor programs, and become an RN. You can then begin working as an RN while you get your bachelors degree or there are also programs that allow you to go straight from your two year degree to a masters degree (nurse practitioner). I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions.

[All_Smiles_RN]

Try the community colleges instead of the state universities if the price is an issue. Every county has its own community college. Like the other poster said, you can become an RN in 2 years and then transfer to university to get another 2 years if you choose. Best of luck!

...Jennifer...