Tough decision and rough transition into healthcare industry

U.S.A. Michigan

Published

Alright I'm in need of some help and opinions,

Well I am leaving the military soon and returning to Michigan. Being a husband and father, providing for my family is priority number 1. But it wasn't until recently that I finally realized what want to do (or at least a general idea which is a big step since I've been clueless on what I want to do for a career).

First let me say that I will not be able to use my GI bill for school (long story... nothing bad just a deceptive recruiter) so all my schooling will be paid thru financial aid and loans.

Being the sole provider while my wife goes to school has put the burden of being a "working student" on my shoulders. I have no problem pulling this off mainly because I REFUSE to let myself get stuck in a minimum wage dead end job without an education.

After speaking to a "Life consultant" trying to figure where I fit in the world, I decided I love to help, and make a difference in peoples lives and also I have a great leadership ability. Combining these things naturally brought me to healthcare administration. Now with most administrator jobs out there requiring a bachelors and the real money is with a masters, I cant afford to work on minimum wage (or close to it), support a family, and go to school for 4-6 years or longer. Not to mention if I did go that route I would be entering the healthcare industry with a bachelors/masters degree and ZERO experience.

So decided to adapt,

I grew up in a family of nurses, so it dawned on me that maybe I should give that a try, and this fits into my "life plan" two ways,

1) Obtaining an Associates will get me into a stable career much faster

2) I can continue school while working as an RN and follow the healthcare admin route if I'm still interested AND I will be gaining experience in the Healthcare industry.

Plus there is a very real chance that I will enjoy being a nurse and just further my education in the nursing field.

Now I know the 2 year program can be more like 4 but I SHOULD have majority of my pre-reqs done before I return (which is in a month or so) because I can CLEP out of almost all of them under HFCC's program (and really any other community colleges pre reqs i can clep out of).

The questions I have are,

Does this seem like a realistic plan?

What south east Michigan community college has the best nursing program?

Whats the likeliness of getting hired with only an associates degree in these times?

Any other info, tips, advice is greatly appreciated.

CorazonDeOro

348 Posts

I think your plan sounds pretty feasible. Don't let anyone tell you its "impossible" to get a nursing job with "only an associates." My ADN class all had RN jobs shortly after graduation and a lot of them had offers before graduation. I went to Macomb and I think their program was awesome. Great instructors and I felt very prepared when I hit the floor. It also helps to work in a hospital while in school.

Well looks like im leaning towards WCCCD's nursing program soley because its cheaper for me. But being that the timing is gonna be a little weird I may have to wait a year or so to actually get in the program. So which leads me to my next question, I've heard from numerous people that there are entry jobs in the hospitals that dont require certs, "orderly" is a job that I remember hearing but I cant seem to find it anywhere. Does anyone know what they are listing these "orderlys" as in the job postings? I would get my CNA liscense but I just dont have 500+ to shell out espically once I leave the USAF and wont have a paycheck coming in.

MrsClarkRN

166 Posts

Your plan sounds good! I'm in WCCCD nursing program and I love it. I started Clinicals a few weeks ago and I can't count how many nurses have come up to us saying they graduated from wc3. But know that most schools require you to have a certain number of credits with them to apply to their program

Your plan sounds good! I'm in WCCCD nursing program and I love it. I started Clinicals a few weeks ago and I can't count how many nurses have come up to us saying they graduated from wc3. But know that most schools require you to have a certain number of credits with them to apply to their program

That is awesome! how are Clinicals going? and I'm aware of the credit mandate, it's unfortunate but understandable. I'm just worried I wont be able to get a high enough GPA in the Pre/Co reqs to even make it, I'm stressing it more than I thought I would (I have always been a "B" student).

Good luck to you and I hope to hear how things are going!

CorazonDeOro

348 Posts

Well looks like im leaning towards WCCCD's nursing program soley because its cheaper for me. But being that the timing is gonna be a little weird I may have to wait a year or so to actually get in the program. So which leads me to my next question, I've heard from numerous people that there are entry jobs in the hospitals that dont require certs, "orderly" is a job that I remember hearing but I cant seem to find it anywhere. Does anyone know what they are listing these "orderlys" as in the job postings? I would get my CNA liscense but I just dont have 500+ to shell out espically once I leave the USAF and wont have a paycheck coming in.

I was hired as a nursing assistant after I was in nursing school, I did not have to get my CNA license. Some hospitals hire nursing students as PCTs (patient care techs) as well.

I was hired as a nursing assistant after I was in nursing school, I did not have to get my CNA license. Some hospitals hire nursing students as PCTs (patient care techs) as well.

If I could get into the nursing school earlier that would be a viable route but since it may be a bit I gotta do something in the mean time. I might just end up getting the CNA cert so I can start working. Really I just want to get my foot in the door, the job itself really does not matter (as long as it serves as useful experience towards becoming a RN)

MrsClarkRN

166 Posts

That is awesome! how are Clinicals going? and I'm aware of the credit mandate, it's unfortunate but understandable. I'm just worried I wont be able to get a high enough GPA in the Pre/Co reqs to even make it, I'm stressing it more than I thought I would (I have always been a "B" student).

Good luck to you and I hope to hear how things are going!

Clinicals are great! An awesome experience!

What are you working with so far?

Clinicals are great! An awesome experience! What are you working with so far?
Well actually I'm still in the USAF for about a month longer so I can take the Clep tests for free, so I'm currently doing that now and trying to Clep out of as many pre/co reqs I can before the next semester. I'm currently working on intro to psych, English, and bio right now

MrsClarkRN

166 Posts

I would look through the 2013 and 2012 threads for WC3 and look at he trend of people getting in...I think having the co-reqs done is a big help because they know how hard the program is so they want to give you the best chance at passing. Getting your cna certicate gives you some points too...

Do-over, ASN, RN

1,085 Posts

Specializes in CICU.

Some hospitals and LTC facilities may train for CNA upon hire.

Some hospitals and LTC facilities may train for CNA upon hire.

I have heard this, I'm trying to get an idea of which ones do this.

Now I was reading a article on here https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/types-school-accreditation-795237.html and have concerns about WCCCD's nursing program, particularly their national accreditation. Even though I plan to work in Michigan, my concern is later down the road if I plan to transfer to a RN-BSN program, will WCCCD's lack of accreditation prevent me from transferring to say UofM Flint? or any other Universities in Michigan.

Anyone have any info?

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