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. :)

[kastas, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry that I can't help with any of your questions. I just wanted to say good luck. It would have to be a scary situation. Stay and not be able to feed your family or come to a place that you don't know. I hope all goes well for you and your family. Good luck in you decision making and in your future.

[CRNA, DNSc]

Yes it's scary but here are some answers- unfortunately you will not like all of them.

1. CRNA-approximately 55% are female- 45% male

2. Very few of your nursing courses would "transfer" to medicine you would be looking at an additional 7-8 years of pre med/med school followed by internship and residency (additional 3-4) years.

3. I don't know the answer to that.

4. All nurse anesthesia programs must be accredited- for information about costs go to aana.com click on accredited programs and search the individual program websites.

5. There are no shortcuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

I suggest you contact the State Board of Nursing in FLorida and let them know about your questions, they can steer you in the right direction.

[Annabelle57]

Florida International University in Miami has an ARNP program:

http://chua2.fiu.edu/nursing/Graduate/GD%20SPEC%20TRKS/Anesthesiology.htm

I believe they're a state university, which means tuition is a whole lot lower for Florida residents in general.

Good luck!