jackhensy

I cannot afford the accelerated nursing program at 30k.

I'm here because I wanted the truth!! I come here to be nice and honest and ask innocent questions. Yet I see posts that saying "Nursing sucks! " "Don't do it!" " You will be a whipping boy!" You will hate nursing!" "There are no jobs!" "Stay away!" "Everyone will think your gay if you are a murse" WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Are these white trash trailer parks residents? I am cautious now who I receive information from on here because everyone hides behind their computers. They could be trolls. I will just visit more hospitals and nursing homes since I can talk to people face to face.

JustBeachyNurse- Have you done your research? I have. A friend of mine just became a LPN in Florida...and he said there were plenty of LPN jobs in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. I'm iOhio and I see many LPN jobs in Columbus(hospitals and nursing homes). I know of several LPN's working in Phoenix and they never complained about finding work. Chicago has a plethora of LPN jobs too. Joliet area as well. That is four states. That means before you generalize -- back it up with some data. This is why social media sucks. Too many generalizations and BS.

Social media sucks. Seems like many people on the nursing forums(not all) hate nursing. Yet when I visit a real hospital with real nurses they seem to love their jobs and tell me they enjoy it. Why is social media different than the real world? They tell me LPN is in demand and still good to get a job. In social media you here..."you will never find a job as an LPN!" Are those nurses in hospitals lying? ANY career will be bashed on social media and it sucks. I want to give social media the SMACK DOWN because its mostly lies and deception of what really goes on in the real world. There are just crummy, trashy, negative people that come in the forums to spew venom because they are unhappy people......they will trash any job.

I thought of accelerated BSN. The problem is I don't have many science or math classes since I was social science major. How long would it take me to complete? LPN I can do it in a year and start making 35k a year. I'm in Columbus, OH.

Going to do it.

I have a bachelor's degree and many high schools want a master's to be a teacher. (20k out-of-pocket for master's, 40k to start, lack of stability, lack of jobs. Nursing is 8k out-of-pocket, salary is 40k to start, more stability, secure, and more opportunities. BTW, I was a male health and PE teacher so I am not making a total 360 degree mid-life career change. Health teacher to nursing is an acceptable transition. I love preventive health. When I became a CNA/medtec I was basically a glorified LPN passing out meds, bathing, cleaning, vitals, some charting, etc. That job was "ok." It was exhausting but I liked educating patients about good health. The money I made was great compared to retail work and teaching. Nursing is like being in the trenches of warfare -- dealing with blood, poop, guts, vomit, scabies, infectious diseases, and every bodily function imaginable. The question that comes up is: Is nursing good for older males? My options have run out. No one is hiring.

Lets face it, the economy is bad. I barely got into my studio apartment on my measely hourly wage retail job --- and life basically sucks. I got laid off twice as a teacher and never found a living wage job since. So much for retirement. At age 50 I am barely making ends meet. I am college educated and can do better in life. I saved some money so I could pay cash to get LPN license and make $18-20 after graduation in one year. I am choosing nursing because of the money and stability. I used to be a CNA a long time ago and it was an ok” job. It paid the bills. I can do nursing, even though its not my passion. I have applied and sent out tons of resumes in sales, teaching, management positions, HR – you name it. The clock keeps ticking with loss of income and at my age its harder to land a job. Anyone go into nursing for the money? Be honest. You would be surprised what people do when they need a living wage.

I am in Columbus, OH and want to attend Columbus State Community College LPN program. The cost of their LPN program including books, scrubs, classes, fees, clinicals, medical equipment, NCLEX, parking, etc is $8,000 out-the-door. Is that a fair price for a LPN license? BTW, there is no waiting list. Thanks.