Pondering a Nursing Degree-Please Help

Nurses General Nursing

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I need some advice...please. I am a single mom of 3 boys, 16, 18 and 20. I am a licensed REALTOR and the market has not been good to me lately. I need a new job/career and have always thought about nursing. My 18 yr old son has an artificial heart valve (2 open heart surgeries) and is doing great, you would never know. My 20 yr old son was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, doing great. My kids would love for me to go into nursing....I've spent alot of time in hospitals! However, I will be 48 in August, 2008. I don't know if I can financially afford a RN program, I don't know which one to investigate (Medical Careers Institute?), I need advice on which degree would be the most advantageous for me including time frame and cost and jobs on the other side. I want a career that I can always have, always be able to work, nights or days. Oh, and how hard is it?!!

I appreciate your advice, and any suggestions. I live in Richmond, VA. Thank you very much.

Specializes in Psych.
I have spent 30 years in manufacturing and I'm thinking about a career change to Nursing; I'm 61 and have a BA in Sociology and an associates in business administration. I have a niece who just became an RN who loves her job; she's got me thinking. However I'm afraid it's too late for me; am I fantasizing? No bs please, I've been around the block a few times.

If you read through these forums you'll see there are loads of people who began their pursuit of nursing in their 50s and there are some in their 60s as well.

I don't know if she's still alive but I remember some years ago reading about the oldest practicing physician in the U.S. - a 100-year old woman at a clinic in South Carolina. More and more people are integrating education, work, and leisure throughout their entire lifespan. We're gonna be seeing more and more people doing so than ever as the first crop of pioneering boomers like yourself reinvents existing notions of what it means to be 70/80/90/100+. :yeah:

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I went to LPN school with a woman in her 60's. She was very spritely and didn't have a problem at all. In fact, someone made a comment about being so much older than they were and she insisted, "I ain't OLD!!!!"

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Where did you get the training for CNA? In Virginia? I'm trying to find out where I can take classes. Thank you.

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Specializes in LTC.

In my state (WA) you can take classes at many nursing homes.

Find a reputable one that you would want to work for, present yourself well in the interview. The classes don't take long to complete.

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Why don't you pursue becoming a RN through a community college?! It's a 2 year plan and the cost shouldn't be astronomical especially if it is located in your county. That's what I did and this is a 2nd career for me as well. Give them a call on Monday and/or take a peak at their program online. If you need to support 3 teens on your own I would suggest the RN route.

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I have spent 30 years in manufacturing and I'm thinking about a career change to Nursing; I'm 61 and have a BA in Sociology and an associates in business administration. I have a niece who just became an RN who loves her job; she's got me thinking. However I'm afraid it's too late for me; am I fantasizing? No bs please, I've been around the block a few times.

Like Nike says, "Just Do It." :D

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Where are you doing the accelerated program? Yikes, how much $$$$?

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