I have read some similar questions but I have a bit more detail an would like some real answers on how to move forward. First let me give some detail on myself. I am a 38 year old male who has a business degree B.S. and has worked for the last 11 years as a recruiter mostly in the IT and Engineering field but I did work for one year as a Division Manager for a Health care staffing company. During the time I worked for the health care company I couldnt not believe how lucky the nurses were to get 3, 12 hour shifts and be able to take PT gigs on the side and depending on the location and skill set allot of the nurses were bringing in pretty good $. At the same time I was working for the med staffing company my brother was sick and dying from cancer so I gained a huge respect for the nurses who took care of him and started think I was in the wrong side of things. Sure I made allot of money, but I hated my job all staffing companies care about is $ and all they did was hire and fire people based on numbers. In 5 years my company had 5 division managers for nursing, and after one year I went back to an Engineering recruiting company sick of the churn and burn. While working for the Engineering firm, I though about going into nursing but the hours are almost impossible to work full time job and go to school. I looked into it and the local community colleges had a 1 year plus waiting list and even if they didnt the hours were 8- 3:30, and the night class's were 4pm to 9pm. Even the more expensive private schools had almost impossible hours for me. Since I was working full time 8-5 and making over 68k I gave up on the nursing idea yet again. Well all was well in the land of engineering until feb 2009 when I was laid off with 50 other coworkers. I have been collecting unemployment for close to 10 months at this point and have not gotten any interviews eventhough I have applied to over 300 jobs! Who needs a recruiter or HR Generalist when no one is hiring! All of my friends are in the same boat out of the 50 of use only 7 have found work. I have been studying for my PHR (professional human resource) cert, but I was thinking about going to unemployment and seeing if I can get job retraining since I have not been able to find work in my field despite my exp, degree and tons of applications. My wife has decided to go back to work full time and told me she is willing to work full time since the kids are older ect.
Here is the question. What is the best route. I have looked into BSN class's and USF is close to me in Tampa but I do need to work, I cant just be out of work for 2 years in a row, I have gone thru my 401k and savings. I was looking into a six week CNA course, I know the pay is low but I might be able to get a job and work as a sitter late at night or in a nursing home 2 or 3rd shift, and then go back to school. As far as school I am so lost with the route to go. BSN vs LPN. or LPN vs ADN or should I get my CNA work then get my BSN or ADN.
Theres no wonder why they have a nurse shortage, they make it impossible to attend class's!
I know I am not gonna make the same $ I made as a Branch Manager - Recruiter, but I am sick of the turn around in my profession, at least nursing is stable.
I am once again ready to give up on nursing for the 3rd time... any advice would be great. I think if I could get an RN, LPN, ADN or BSN with my business background I would be a huge asset to a hospital and could really keep the agencies in check and should be a huge asset.
