dclamb3

ashleyisawesome, you are awesome. Thank you for the insight and realistic information about the path I'd need to take to get there. That's exactly the info I was looking for (and worried about). I suppose I should accept that while my heart is in medicine, my body just isn't capable of caring for others the way I want to (which makes me even more angered about being hit by that drunk driver, but I have to keep faith that it happened for a reason). In any case, I TRULY, truly appreciate the feedback from everyone. I know we're all super busy, so just your generosity of taking the time to answer the question of a stranger to help her on her life path really means a lot. Thank you.

That is a very good suggestion. Thank you!

You've given some really fantastic advice. Thank you!

Thank you for your input. Agreed. I'm certain I can pass the classes and exams. I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about making a career change in my mid-30s, incurring significant student loan debt, taking a dramatic pay cut and then getting into a hospital and realizing I can't physically be a RN, NP, PA, etc (but the trouble is, you don't KNOW you can't because there's no way of trying without the degree for obvious reasons - so I'm on here asking for advice on which healthcare positions fall within my physical limitations since I don't know because I currently work in a different industry). Despite that most people think I'm crazy, I *am* willing to make all of those sacrifices for a career I'm passionate about, but only if I know that the end result will be something that is realistically within my physical limitations. Of course, no one can answer that but me, but receiving suggestions on which roles within healthcare have patient interaction and are the least physically demanding is very helpful (as is learning which roles are less physically demanding but for which are rare to come by like clinic work - things you'd only know if you're in the industry). I really appreciate all the advice. Please keep it coming.

I'm continuing my journey of trying to determine how I can incorporate a career change to healthcare at 35yo with injuries (bad knees, hip, wrist, back, and neck due to being hit by a drunk driver). Thanks to reading the experiences of others on this site, I'm starting to see/accept that while my passion is to be an RN (since I've been caring for others since I was a child), that perhaps I need to accept my current physical limitations and entertain other options. Sooo, while I realize this is a nursing site, please don't throw tomatoes when I ask, would being a Physician Assistant be less taxing physically, than being an RN? If it wouldn't be, are there *any* jobs where I can have patient interaction that wouldn't involve 12-hour shifts of endless standing, stooping, and lifting that my body couldn't handle? Thank you in advance.

Not to hijack the thread but, rnflash, you mentioned that you're in CA. How is the nursing job market there? I plan to move back to CA in about 6 mos. (probably LA, but I'm still evaluating colleges), enter nursing school (I have a BS, but want a BSN), and hopefully work as a CNA during school until I get my RN.

This thread has been so very helpful. Thank you for those who take the time to respond. :)

You ladies (and men) really are a wealth of info! Thank you!! Any other advice, do share. :)

Everyone has outstanding advice. I truly, truly appreciate it! :)

Congratulations on your career change, as well. Thanks. It has been a difficult decision, and I realize how risky it is, but I simply have to do it. Despite the economy, I know I want it bad enough that I will make it. So, while it's a tad scary taking such a huge leap of faith, for some reason I'm eerily calm about it. This is my first allnurses thread, so I couldn't figure out how to inbox you on here, but I would actually love to hear more about how you did that with your 401(k). I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to tap my savings, but I am open to learning more about it.

I think that is so true for any industry - that you have to stand out. I graduated with a BS with honors, and intend to do the same with my BSN. I've been a volunteer for over 20 years, and will continue during nursing school. I plan to work during nursing school (likely as a CNA, unless I learn that another position would give me even better experience), since I can't afford not to. I also read that knowing multiple languages is beneficial for nurses. Has that been anyone's experience (if so, I'll be brushing up on my Spanish and Greek, and possibly learning Italian while I'm at it)? Does anyone have any other suggestions to make a new nurse stand out?

Due to the fantastic advice in this post, I've Googled CNA and am looking into CNA certification now. As for tech, are you referring to a Med Tech? And what is a UA? When I google UA, of course all I come up with is Under Armour (ironic since they're one of my clients lol). Sorry in advance for the silly questions, but while I'm familiar with BSNs, RNs, NPs, etc, the beginning titles / acronyms are still new to me. And a huge thanks to EVERYONE for the outstanding advice! I'm so very glad I asked, before going too far down the wrong path.

At 35yo, I've decided to make the career change from a comfortable, secure, well-paying job in marketing to nursing. I have a BS, but will soon be resigning to pursue a BSN. I've recently sold my home, so I no longer have a mortgage. Before I begin school, I intend to buy a reliable car outright in cash so I won't have a car payment. I have no debt, other than my previous student loan (which I believe I can defer while I'm a student). With that said, there will still be regular living expenses like rent, electricity, food, gas, car insurance, phone, etc. While I'm a nursing student, I intend to volunteer at a local hospital to gain experience during my (hopefully) 2 years of nursing school. I may or may not be able to get financial aid as a student (as in my experience, they base aid on your income from the previous year, which means they'll be basing it on my decent salary from *this* calendar year, not from my $0 income as a student *next* calendar year). What do people do to make ends meet while being a nursing student & volunteer? For those with no nursing school experience yet, are there entry-level jobs that pay (I haven't seen any, but also don't know what I should be looking for)? Thank you in advance.