Lindamom

I went back to school part-time when I was 48 years old to be a nurse. My intention was to work in a university hospital near us so my kids could get half tuition and I would have a well paying job for the next 20 years. Now a BSN is required to work in hospitals. So I thought I would work in a doctor's office. Now I am hearing that the Medical Assistants have taken most of those jobs and there are only 1-2 nurses per office. I considered being an LPN in an office, but the medical assistants took all those jobs too. And I know I do not want to work in a LTC facility. I love children, but do not like working with the elderly. I experienced it as an STNA in clinicals and a home care co. I work part-time for. I am so disappointed that all the hype of being a nurse has now died down and all I hear is you can't get a job if you are just an ADN. I'm 50 years old and feel like I have wasted two years taking classes and don't know what to do. Pursue x- ray technology? Respiratory therapist, surgical technician, or just start over with medical assistant classes? There are lots of jobs in that field now. I really wanted to just work part-time in the medical field until I am retirement age making half-way decent money.

Does anyone know if regular anti-depressants like Lexapro would show up on a drug screen for employment at a hospital/health facility? Can employees work at these facilities if they are on ADD or anti-anxiety meds?

I've read that a lot of Columbus State students thought that NURC 102 was so easy they didn't even hardly study. Is that because they already had experience in the healthcare field? I have a good grade in the class, but I studied a lot.I thought it was hard because my only exposure to medical/nursing info was in the NURC 101 class. Does everyone think NURC 102 was easy, and I am having to study too much? Now I'm worried I won't be able to handle the harder nursing classes.

I am thinking about becoming a LPN, but I would like to work in a hospital. Are there very many jobs for LPNs in hospitals, or only Long Term Care Facilities? Do most people these days just become a LPN as a stepping stone to becoming a RN? I would appreciate help with these questions as I am trying to decide which avenue to pursue. Thanks :)

I am an older mom in Columbus, Ohio, and I'm thinking about going back to school to be a LPN. I already got my STNA certification. I would like to be a RN, but I think I would have to take too many classes and it would take too long. Does anyone know of any good LPN schools besides Columbus State? Their pat-time program takes over two years to complete. I found two websites about the Columbus School of Practical Nursing and also the ITT Breckenridge School of Nursing...does anyone have any experience with these schools? Also, does anyone know how hard it is to get a LPN job in Columbus, Ohio area? I wanted to work at a hospital but I don't see many openings on the hospital websites. I wanted to work at OSU medical center, but someone in HR told me on the phone that they don't hire LPNs anymore. I woud become a medical assistant, but why go to school for 1 year to get paid $10.00/hour? I'm not sure what to do...