sky_limit

Much obliged, Sandman. 47 is what I wanted to hear. : )

I am very seriously considering doing this. My main concern is the age requirement. I see somebody above posted they *thought* the age limit to enter the Army as a nurse was 47. I did read the requirements link provided, but didn't see anything about the maximum age. For some reason, I had 43 in my head; I hope it is actually 47. Seeking confirmation, please.

I'm wondering the same thing myself. Maybe if we bump this to the front page someone will see it. I did run a search here, and somethings came up on a particularly bad teacher that folks were having serious trouble with, but that is old information. I wonder if anything has changed in regard to this?

Ahhh. A trip abroad. Morocco.

Other 2-year programs (ADN) in the greater Houston area: Jacinto Community College (southeast of Houston) Lee College (east of Houston) both are also good programs As far as jobs: With the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and more physicians per capita than any other place on the planet, are there nursing jobs?? You bet.

Which is your nursing school? I'm curious. I'm originally from Texas, now in California. I was considering going back to Texas for nursing school because there is also a big shortage of nursing schools here where I live now. My friend told me there were 400 applicants for just 30 slots at the better program in my area, so they are deciding by lottery.

Another thing I just thought of, Elle: If you live in San Francisco proper (and even some parts of Oakland and Berkeley), you will not need a car. In fact, to have a car in SF is actually a liability. Parking is a HUGE hassle. So you wouldn't have that expense whatsoever.

Hi ellescorpio: I'm from Texas, now living in the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland, to be exact....just across the bay). It is very nice here. And it is also very expensive here. Yes, yes, I knew rent would be substantially higher (mine more than tripled), but the thing I didn't realize was that EVERYTHING -- gas, toilet paper, cat food, a can of soup -- is all much, much higher (not a couple of pennies) than in Texas. Also keep in mind that there is a state income tax--something we don't have in Texas--which also comes straight off the top. I believe it's the highest in the country....if not, then it's the second or third highest. Also, the cost of registering your car is unbelievable! I don't know if you have kids or not, but SF is not exactly a kid-friendly kind of city. If you are in your 20s or 30s with no kids, have an open mind, like an active social life and a fast-paced city, and love fantastic ethnic food, you will likely love it here. If you fit this profile, you might find SF to be, as they say here, a one-way ticket... nothing can compare, and you just can't go back to where you came from. It IS possible to live here, but people all have a roommate, sometimes 2 or 3, and are resigned to renting. If you are more conservative (politically as well as culturally) and like the suburb life, it will not be for you. (However, Sacramento might be more your speed.) I live in Oakland, which is warmer, sunnier, a bit cheaper (you could swing your own modest apartment in a nice neighborhood on your nursing pay), less densely populated, and more laid back than SF. Berkeley is directly to the north of Oakland and is another nice option. I love it here. I personally believe it to be the best of both worlds. It's also VERY beautiful. One thing I've had a hard time getting adjusted to is that it's cold here. People wear coats in June! I didn't realize, being from Texas, that I am actually a warm weather baby. I hear others like me complaining that they "can't ever seem to get warm." ... at least this is true 9 months out of the year. The nursing union is STRONG here in CA... something we don't have in Texas. I have thought of going back to Texas because the cost of living really can be draining and I would like to eventually own a home, but I'm very torn, especially since deciding to be a nurse. I'm still learning about all this, but it seems to me CA nurses have a much better situation what with the patient ratios and all than in TX. I could write more if you'd like to know more; feel free to ask. Off to work now. :)