Need Career Advice 40+ and Wondering

Quest · Aug 24, 2002

much income after expenses (say around 12 to 15K) in the past several years you will qualify for financial assistance. A Pell Grant will then pay some or all of your tuition. Even if you do not qualify for grants you can automatically qualify for low interest loans (under 5% currently) that do not have to be paid back until you graduate (contact the student financial aid office of the school you will be attending). Your best bet might be a local community college. In addition to the LPN program consider checking out their ASN program as well. ASN's (those with an associates degree in nursing) are RN's instead of LPN's you will earn on average from $5.00 to $15.00 MORE per hour than you would as an LPN. Also, check out salary.com to see what nurses in your area earn (CNA's, LPN's, and RN's). The CNA thing would be a good bet to "get your feet wet" but keep in mind it will be much harder (and messy) than the work you would do as an LPN (exponentially more messy than typical RN work). In other words don't let the CNA stuff scare you away from the profession.

live4today, RN · Aug 24, 2002

Originally posted by ddog
HI!
I'm new to all of this and would like to find some advice and some information please. If anyone out there could help I would appreciate it greatly. Let me start by saying that I'm presently looking into taking a CNA course that should start this winter for several weeks two nights a week. I am willing to do this because of circumstances with the health of my wife. If I like the lifestyle enough I will consider taking a job in the field with the idea of getting a Nursing career going in the future.
A few questions....What is involved in going to a Nursing course part time for LPN. Will I need other courses first? What kind of costs are to be considered? And for other supplies, books etc? I have been self employed for the past 18 years or so and have no formal colledge education. In fact, I had to get a verification of my GED in order to get enrolled in CNA course.
I am 43 years old and contemplating a major career and life change. I have just quit smoking and will drop a little weight to take some of the stress off these poor old joints...he, he.
Does anyone out there think I'm crazy, or just nuts? Any help will be nice!! :)

DDOG.....welcome to allnurses! :balloons: :nurse:

In a situation such as yours, my suggestion to you would be to simply enroll in a community college of your choice, and begin taking general courses that you'll need anyway before you can get into any nursing program. You should sign up for English Composition I, Sociology I, Psychology I, and a Pre-Allied Health Math class for starters.......depending on your entrance exam test scores. Your test scores may suggest some remedial classes in English, Reading, and Math for starters, but if your entrance exam test scores prove to be excellent enough to bypass the remedial classes, then you can sign up for the classes I first mentioned.

I would suggest that you pay a visit to the Allied Health Counselor at the community college you may choose to go to, and talk with one of them. Call first , in case you need an appointment. Community Colleges are mostly filled with working people, and older students anyway.....so they are usually "older student friendly". I wish you the best in your endeavors, and I know you'll get a lot of positive feedback from others here at this website. :nurse: :)

kathylorr · Aug 24, 2002

Dear ddog,

I don't have many answers for you but just wanted to give you a word of encouragment! I'm in a similar position as yourself but ten years older. I had my own business for many years but a couple ago decided I needed a change as too many nights I found myself talking to myself when I got home. I'm about to start my second semester of RN training and am really looking forward to it starting in another week. I'll be taking a big income hit once I'm a RN but think there is more to life than money.

Good luck in your endeavor,

Kathy

live4today, RN · Aug 24, 2002

Originally posted by kathylorr
Dear ddog,
I don't have many answers for you but just wanted to give you a word of encouragment! I'm in a similar position as yourself but ten years older. I had my own business for many years but a couple ago decided I needed a change as too many nights I found myself talking to myself when I got home. I'm about to start my second semester of RN training and am really looking forward to it starting in another week. I'll be taking a big income hit once I'm a RN but think there is more to life than money.
Good luck in your endeavor,
Kathy

Kathy.......I see that you are a newbie on Allnurses, too, so just wanted to welcome you here, and hope you feel at ease enough to ask anything of the others who have been around these parts for a time now. Everyone has always been kind to me, so I am sure they will share their love with you, too. I also wish you much success in nursing! :balloons: :nurse:

kathylorr · Aug 24, 2002

Thanks cheerfuldoer!

OK, answer me one question first-how do you move those Smilies into your message? I've tried dragging them over and that doesn't work-I was going to give you kissing one for your welcome:)

And why the heck are you still looking for a job? Even an economical armpit like Buffalo has a ton of them?

Hugs,

Kathy

live4today, RN · Aug 24, 2002

Originally posted by kathylorr
Thanks cheerfuldoer!
OK, answer me one question first-how do you move those Smilies into your message? I've tried dragging them over and that doesn't work-I was going to give you kissing one for your welcome:)
And why the heck are you still looking for a job? Even an economical armpit like Buffalo has a ton of them?
Hugs,
Kathy

You're welcome, Kathy! :kiss

To get the emoticons on your post, all you do is click on the one you want with your mouse and it should appear. I'm not sure if you have to have so many post to use them, but you can ask one of the Allnurses Moderators about it. :)

Okay....why am I still looking for a job? Well....I haven't really been looking...perse.....but I am starting the search for a nursing job now, but NOT in TX. We are only living here temporarily on military orders, but should be moved soon...at least I'm praying we are moved much sooner than much later. :chuckle

So......I want to return to nursing, and want to be given the opportunity to do so (I've been out only 5 years now). :)

Trauma Columnist · Aug 24, 2002

Welcome to both new-bies! I graduated with an LPN certificate at age 33, with ADN at 35 and now at 44 have worked ER most of the time. It is very hectic and yes, for any nursing job you have to take care of yourself. But...it is possible to do!!! Good luck!!

ddog · Aug 24, 2002

Just asking. Don't quite know if a career is for me yet. At the moment I am barbequing on my deck talking to my Red and Grey Squirrels. They don't seem to mind. Niether does my wife come to think of it. At this point, my entrepenurial skills don't seem to be cutting it and it might be time for a change. Maybe I could even leave here and get back to where I'm from where I know that Nursing is paying even more than here. Any help would be appreciated. Any thoughts out there on whether I should give a go at an LPN part time, Rn part time or maybe do it all full time. Has anyone out there done either of these two options? I'm curious! :confused:

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 24, 2002

originally posted by ddog
hi!
i'm new to all of this and would like to find some advice and some information please. if anyone out there could help i would appreciate it greatly. let me start by saying that i'm presently looking into taking a cna course that should start this winter for several weeks two nights a week. i am willing to do this because of circumstances with the health of my wife. if i like the lifestyle enough i will consider taking a job in the field with the idea of getting a nursing career going in the future.
a few questions....what is involved in going to a nursing course part time for lpn. will i need other courses first? what kind of costs are to be considered? and for other supplies, books etc? i have been self employed for the past 18 years or so and have no formal colledge education. in fact, i had to get a verification of my ged in order to get enrolled in cna course.
i am 43 years old and contemplating a major career and life change. i have just quit smoking and will drop a little weight to take some of the stress off these poor old joints...he, he.
does anyone out there think i'm crazy, or just nuts? any help will be nice!! :)

welcome to the bb and all the best to you!

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 24, 2002

originally posted by kathylorr
dear ddog,
i don't have many answers for you but just wanted to give you a word of encouragment! i'm in a similar position as yourself but ten years older. i had my own business for many years but a couple ago decided i needed a change as too many nights i found myself talking to myself when i got home. i'm about to start my second semester of rn training and am really looking forward to it starting in another week. i'll be taking a big income hit once i'm a rn but think there is more to life than money.
good luck in your endeavor,
kathy

and welcome, kathy! much continued success to you.