latebloomer2

Did you say you need to start working more??? Working part-time, raising kids--(I'm assuming alone, for part of the time--since you said between the two of us), you've been working hard, girl! I don't know about you, but for me I've never truly regretted not getting into my career earlier, because then I wouldn't have had that time with my kids. When I'm dead and gone the people most important to me aren't going to say, "Boy, she worked alot!", or "Man, she made alot of money, we got whatever we wanted!". They're going to remember me being there--reading books to them and their friends in kindergarten, planting things in the garden together, taking walks with the dogs and Mom at sunrise/set, eating popcorn and watching a movie together in the middle of the day--you get the point. They'll also grow up to treat their kids the same, hopefully, and make the world a better place...by raising kind, caring kids (if they choose to). Well, off my soapbox, it's too early for this. Maybe I ought to change my user name to 'no regrets'....

I'll try this again, didn't go thru last time...Try All Saints in Racine/Kenosh. They're great to work for, when I compared the pay their Baylor shift pay, benefits and sign on bonuses they were the best. St.Francis on 16th in Milw. is comparable, all part of the same healthcare network, St. Josephs, too, but I heard they were going through some problems. The areas I worked in used LPNs for meds. I was hired as an RN. Good luck!

another thing...your age will be a asset applying for some scholarships. i recieved two decent scholarships for organizations that support women returning to the work force..worth a try!

check out VAcareers.com...they post job listings there, don't know if that site will give you any more of the info you need. I entered nursing at age 46, and have never had age be a factor in hiring. Lucky for us, everyone needs nurses so badly right now, don't know about CNAs. Most of the larger employers have educational reimbursement for job-related classes. I know quite a few CNAs who worked part-time and went to school full-time to get their RN Associate degrees (with their employer paying for it). It only takes a couple years to do it. You could take the prerequisites like Anatomy, Biology,etc., first; while putting yourself on a waiting list (yes, there is one at most colleges) for the RN program at a community college. I decided against the BSN due to my age, but am thinking about pursuing it on-line in a couple years. I started nursing clinicals at age 43, working part-time and raising 3 kids, who are now 19,12 and 6. When I was in nursing school our class consisted of 40 men and women. There were 8 of us who were over 40, 2 women in their 50s. It was a little wierd ar first, but soon it seems 'everyday' to be going to school with people who are young enough to possibly be your grandkids. Good luck to you...you can do it if you want it bad enough!

No,no and no! I was 46 when I graduated, I'm now 49....have had 3 jobs as an RN: one in a large hospital in cardiac and then mental health /AODA (with my choice of shifts!!). Then I tried home health. Age was never an issue as far as I know...it was never brought up in interviews. I hadn't any prior experience in the healthcare field either. Use your 'life experiences' as a positive thing. It makes age (and maturity) an asset, rather than a liability. Good luck!!!