popeye131

Hi everyone, my name is Dan,live in the suburbs of Chicago, and new to this site. I just turned 40 years old and just took all the steps at my community college to get registered for a CNA class starting in August. But now wondering if I should go through with this. I have been in the HVAC field for 7 years, and I got hurt in 2009,(fell off a 30 foot roof)yep, thats right, and was in a LTC/PT for a couple of months. I reallly liked the people, the staff, interacting with the patients, and just the atmosphere. Everyone noticed, including staff, and said I should enter the medical field when I am recovered. Well I recovered and went back to working at my company in the office and was laid off at the beginning of this year. So after many failed attempts of looking for similar employment, I wanted to pursue the medical field. I thought that a CNA would be a great way to get my foot in the door. Here are my concerns: - Am i tool old to get into this type of work, as I see mostly younger people doing this that are planning to become RN or LPN. - I see that the pay is low to start, but after years of working do you get to a decent wage? -Hospitals seem like they are tough to get into. But if you do, do they pay better and would they offer to pay or help pay for furthing your education? -If I got the CNA, what other jobs could this experience help me get besides a Nurse. I just dont think I have enough time to do all the schooling. I tried asking these questions at the college, but the advisors were not too helpful, so here I am at this great site. I am a people person, I am upbeat, I love working with people, and think that this is what is calling me.Plus I dont want to go onto anymore rooftops. But I would reallyt appreciate any opinions on this. Glad to be here, and thanks in advance, Dan