First and foremost, I have a deep appreciation for everything that you do so thank you.
I'm looking to change my career into healthcare after serving in a corporate marketing space for 20 years. I'm a mom of three beautiful kids with my youngest being seven years old.
I just completed my CNA course and to be honest my clinicals scared the crap out of me. I'm rethinking everything because I'm nearly 50 years old and the shifts were LONG and I am unsure if I can do what a RN or BSN does. No wonder many have burn out.
Now I'm considering instead of applying for RN school (which btw I have all the pre-reqs for) to instead look at an LPN or even being an MA.
Wondering if anybody out there started off as an LPN or MA and what they can share about that type of role? I like the idea of being in an outpatient clinic instead and possibly 8 hours shifts with a less responsibility- but still in a healthcare role. I know they get paid less and I'm OK with this since my husband has his own family business and he will always be the primary breadwinner and I'm the primary when it comes managing our home and the kids.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
FullGlass said:
I'm in CA and we have strict ratios.
If you are in California then you know that the strict staffing ratios only apply to acute, inpatient medical facilities. These ratios don't apply to Free standing nursing homes oe free standing psych facilities. Trust me, I have had up to 20 patients/day in both settings.
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
FullGlass said:
I'm in CA and we have strict ratios. I also did a clinical rotation in a nursing home in MD. My mother suffered from a long terminal decine and spent a lot of time in nursing homes and I did too, as a result. The CNAs or techs passed most meds.
I understood the OP to be concerned about physically grueling work as an RN. What you described above is hectic brain work, not physical work.
In the nursing homes I spent time in, it was the CNAs that did the physically grueling work.
The RNs I know who suffered physical injuries at work - usually the result of trying to lift or move heavy patients w/o the proper assistance or equipment. Some RNs develop overuse-type issues/injuries.
I am just saying that your advice to go to LTC is not fact-based. You never works as a bedside RN anywhere ever and you've said that in your posts.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
hppygr8ful said:
If you are in California then you know that the strict staffing ratios only apply to acute, inpatient medical facilities. These ratios don't apply to Free standing nursing homes oe free standing psych facilities. Trust me, I have had up to 20 patients/day in both settings.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
Corey Narry said:
I am just saying that your advice to go to LTC is not fact-based. You never works as a bedside RN anywhere ever and you've said that in your posts.
I provided my opinion. One does not have to have done something to provide an opinion. For example, since this is an election year, we are watching political pundits who have never held elected office provide their opinions.
In addition, people who are journalists and researchers write papers and opinions all the time, providing their opinion and recommendations, based on their research and experiences.
As a PMHNP, I provide my treatment recommendations to patients with various mental health issues. I do not have to have had/been schizophrenic, bipolar, depressed, anxious, or have substance abuse issues to do so.
Your comment about me not having worked as a bedside RN is irrelevant.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Corey Narry said:
I am just saying that your advice to go to LTC is not fact-based. You never works as a bedside RN anywhere ever and you've said that in your posts.
I don't kinow where I suggested the OP start in SNF. My comments specifically stated how difficult that job is. Perhaps you are referring to another member
I NEVER said that I NEVER EVER ANYWHERE WORKED BEDSIDE. What I have said is that I have been doing psych nursing and working with special populations on/off for the past 20 years. I have said on multiple occasions that I started at the bedside as an LDRP/Couplet care RN . I have also said that I worked bedside in a SNF for a little over a year. My daily work load in Psych is something like 16-20:1 and in SNF 20 or more to one. That is grueling work.
In any case let's go back and stay on topic by addressing the OP's specific question and not finger pointing at each other.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Apparently I offended anither poster who needs me to appologize to them. So I'll throw myself on my sword (I actually have one). Mea culpa I apologize can we now get back on topic.
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
hppygr8ful said:
Apparently I offended anither poster who needs me to appologize to them. So I'll throw myself on my sword (I actually have one). Mea culpa I apologize can we now get back on topic.
Hppy
I am not offended but for the benefit of this thread, you quoted me as if I'm referring to a post you made and I did not. I just wanted to clarify that in your post.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
hppygr8ful said:
I don't kinow where I suggested the OP start in SNF. My comments specifically stated how difficult that job is. Perhaps you are referring to another member
I NEVER said that I NEVER EVER ANYWHERE WORKED BEDSIDE. What I have said is that I have been doing psych nursing and working with special populations on/off for the past 20 years. I have said on multiple occasions that I started at the bedside as an LDRP/Couplet care RN . I have also said that I worked bedside in a SNF for a little over a year. My daily work load in Psych is something like 16-20:1 and in SNF 20 or more to one. That is grueling work.
In any case let's go back and stay on topic by addressing the OP's specific question and not finger pointing at each other.
Actually, Corey Narry was responding to me, I believe. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Sure. What draws me is helping others. I don't want to sit in an office anymore just to make all the executives rich and market products that are just things. I want to do something that makes a difference. I love the academic side of healthcare and learning about diseases and how to treat. But I don't know if I necessarily want all of the responsibility on me. It makes me nervous.
I also would like to have flexibility as I grow older (let's say 10 years from now) and work per diem or part time. The wasn't crazy about being in a hospital setting tho. I think primarily because 12 hour shifts are a lot for me personally due to childcare issues. My husband is gone 3-4 days a week. Sadly I'm a married-single mom. 😬
I would think very carefully. Will you recoup your educational costs in the short time you will be working? If 12 hours are hard for you now, they will be worst in the future. You can't count on a clinic job, they can be difficult to get and the production pressures are stressful. There are plenty of healthcare professionals and every one of them are doing something useful to humanity. If you already have a bachelors, I think being a medical technologist might satisfy your scientific bend and also provide you with a less physically taxing work day. If you have the pre-reqs you can do this in about 15 months. I loved being a nurse but I started out back in the day when we had adequate staffing and hospitals weren't corporate places for equity companies to drain even more health care dollars from the people actually doing the care. You never know your future or how long or much you will have to work. I'd choose longevity....just in case. And you still have a very young child. If you go to an accelerated program, you will never be home or see your family except when you are home studying. But do let us know what you decide.
Hello. I started my career in nursing as an MA then CNA then LPN and then an RN. I did it this way because I was a single mom with children. I always knew that I wanted to be an RN but I had to get to that level. e
Each and every one of these positions helped me along the way. I don't suggest that you start as I did because it seems that you should be able to attend one of the online schools. Recently I saw that one of the schools were offering programs in nurse practitioners to include PMHNP. I don't know the particulars but it appears that you could earn this degree in an 18 month accelerated course or in 2 years regular attendance. There are also nurse case manager positions and disease management positions that are offered by several insurance companies. You spend your time 8 to 10 hours a day talking and teaching telephonically. I worked in all of these positions and loved it after spending time working in home health, psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and hospitals. if I was able to I think that I would still be nursing at 72 years old. You owe it to yourself to examine and decide what you want to do. There are so many opportunities. God bless you in your endeavors. By the way in one position I was the psychiatric case manager telephonically.
mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN
3,319 Posts
I got my nursing degree at 48. I was a CNA while I was in school. Did my RN-BSN at 51 and MSN at 53. Just turned 60 and still love bedside!!!