Nurse vs sleep tech vs chaplain...age 60

Nurses Career Support

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Hello, I have followed AllNurses for quite a while now and have posted a few times. I have a BS degree and some grad school; I have attempted ADN school in the early 1990s and most recently (2015-16) was in an LVN program until my disabled husband fell and hurt his back and was hospitalized for a month. We have permanently relocated to a large city where he can get medical care without riding 6+ hours on Greyhound. I am current with my EMT-Basic certification.

I'm debating whether to continue (essentially start over) with LVN (the public colleges want me to re-take A&P, the for-profit schools include it in their curriculum) or pursue something which may be a little less physical (I just enlisted in our State Guard). I looked at a polysomnography program, I tend to be a night person anyway, and there supposedly are jobs in this field in my city. After being told my A&P was OK, now I've been told to re-take it. I saw very little recent commentary on this field on AllNurses.

Another possibility is a chaplaincy program which is a joint venture between the church hierarchy and a local seminary--it is a 2-year certificate integrating theology and pastoral care. There should be jobs available and age isn't an issue. One thing I've always liked about chaplaincy is that you get to work with the entire healthcare team.

I need to be employed for the next 10-15 years at least, hopefully some of these big hospital chains offer retirement. I would appreciate any insight from Nurse Beth or any sleep techs, chaplains, "50+" persons, etc....thanks so much!

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