Older career changer

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Happy New Year! I'm 52 and have a Master's in Education. I've worked as a teacher and have been an Assistive Technology Specialist for 10 years. I'm interested in working in healthcare (mainly nursing or something like it) for when I retire from the schools, within the next few years. I took a year of Public Health classes and enjoyed them but it's so expensive! I'd be happy with an entry-level job, CNA, LPN? Or should I pursue something like Medical Assistant? I'd like to be able to be flexible and move around, travel. Don't want to spend a lot of money on school at this point! Thank you for your advice!

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Well, I would advise against CNA jobs, since they are the lowest on the paying scale. As a teacher I am sure you are paid quite a lot, so compared to CNA salary you will be pretty much paid nothing. Also, you do not want to spend much money on becoming an LPN or an RN. Hmm. If you do want to become a nurse, you will have to spend some money and time. You do not have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on your RN. Research some public schools that have RN schools. If you are ready to spend up to $20000, you will get your RN.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I would definitely look into what kinds of loans you might have to take out to achieve your goal, and ask yourself if it's worth it. Nursing school, unless done via a community college, can be quite expensive and not worth the repayment you'll have to make for many years into retirement age. Travel jobs are more common for nurses than anything else. Your life goals - inexpensive education and not being tied down - don't necessarily mesh well with nursing. You'd need at least a couple of years of experience before you could take a travel job and do it comfortably, because travel nurses get a bare minimum of orientation - you have to walk in and be ready to go with a brief intro to the computer charting system and where supplies are located.

Have you looked into local programs and how long it would take you to get pre-reqs done? I realize you have a Masters, but you might be lacking sciences and some schools won't take sciences that are too old.

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Thanks! I am willing to spend some money, and $20,000 would be fine. I was wondering more about which path to pursue - is it worth getting a CNA or LPN just to get in the door, or go for the RN? My last child will be graduating from high school next year and then I could leave my job to go to school full time.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
Thanks! I am willing to spend some money, and $20,000 would be fine. I was wondering more about which path to pursue - is it worth getting a CNA or LPN just to get in the door, or go for the RN? My last child will be graduating from high school next year and then I could leave my job to go to school full time.

Go for the RN. I started an accelerated BSN at age 52 and graduated from my MSN program and became an NP at age 55.

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Eventually you may need to get your bachelors in nursing. Try to keep that in mind. That is if you do decide to become an LPN or RN.

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There is nothing ....that is "something" like nursing. You are romanticizing the profession.

You have a degree in education... do you want to be a slave in healthcare? CNA, LPN,Medical Assistant and RN all work like mules.

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