Is there Hope for me after 21 yrs???

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Hi, I am 49 yrs old and wanted to go back to work after finding out that my hubby is forced to retire early at 50 yrs. old. My kids are still in middle school and worries that there is not enough money coming in. I am not sure where to go with my work experience, and not sure what job title I should be applying. I graduated since 1988 from the Phils. Worked as an OR Nurse for 4 yrs, 1 year Home Health Care and Medical Rep in Anesthesia for 4 yrs. After I moved to AZ in 2001, my husband & I decided that I would not work so I could focus with my 2 boys.

I feel intimidated going back to bed side Nursing or even an OR tech. with the stress levels & probably new instruments & meds. What is my best chance to get a job that is Nursing related ? Medical Assistant is my first choice but I still need a Refresher course and certification. I certainly don't know where to go and really need your advice.

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What is "the Phils" and do you have a current nursing license?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
What is "the Phils" and do you have a current nursing license?

I'm guessing the Philippines?

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Yes, it's Philippines. And no, I don't have a current license. Never updated my RN license from the Philippines.

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Yes, it's Philippines. And no, I don't have a current license. Never updated my RN license from the Philippines.

I thought maybe Philippines, but I wasn't too sure. If you've never worked in the US or had a US license, then I'm not even sure where you'd start. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will come along.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Medical Assistant will not likely support a family of four and is not nursing-related. Obtaining your nursing license will be an uphill battle, given lapsed time and no previous US license.

Have you thought about any other options?

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Right now, any job will do. Nursing related or not, doesn't matter. I am willing to go back to school if I had to. I am open for any suggestions if anyone can direct me to somewhere , where I can start job hunting base on my education and experience. Thank you for your feedback.

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Have you reviewed the application instructions for foreign educated nurses on your state board of nursing?

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Without a nursing license the only jobs you are likely to find are minimum wage jobs (waitressing, retail, cleaning etc)

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Yes, I did. I need refresher course which would take 6 months to 1 yr., shadowing , take CGFNS and NCLEX exams. It's an uphill battle for sure.

I feel sad letting my Nursing career go. :(

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Right now, any job will do. Nursing related or not, doesn't matter. I am willing to go back to school if I had to. I am open for any suggestions if anyone can direct me to somewhere , where I can start job hunting base on my education and experience. Thank you for your feedback.

In some markets, it's possible to train as a nursing assistant or medical assistant on the job ...but not everywhere. They would be short, easy courses for you if you do have to take them and you've already been through nursing school, though. NA would be pretty labor intensive, unfortunately ...especially for those of us no longer in our 20's!!

It might also be possible to train as a telemetry monitor ...maybe even easy if you have some prior knowledge.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Tele tech, phlebotomist or unit clerk, to begin with. Not that much physical effort as CNA, sometimes can be trained on the job and pays not much but still more than minimal wage.

Then - see how things are going. Where I live, community college ASN costs less than 6-months university refresher.

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