CathyH

I have been told by a friend who is a nurse in oncology that there are 40 openings for nurses at the hospital in our area. There are a lot of traveling nurses that come here to fill those spots. I thought about working per diem also. Thanks for your input.

Thank you for your insight. I appreciate hearing from people who know what they are talking about.

I was thinking of oral surgery. I worked as a CNA part time for awhile while still working in the dental office, so I am fully aware that nursing is hard work. I would have kept at it but I could not keep working 7 days a week so I gave up the CNA job. Med/Surg or ICU interest me too.

Thank you for responding. I appreciate your opinion.

It is something that I have been wanting to do since my kids were little. My husband was career military so we moved a lot and I spent many months working full time raising my kids alone while he was away fulfilling his military obligations. I have been working the past 12 years to get bills paid off so I would not have to take out loans and could quit working to focus on nursing school. So, no, I would not take out loans. I have been a dental assistant for the past 21 years. I am now managing the office which means I don't get to work chairside any more. I do mostly paperwork and administrative duties. I miss patient care and there is really no opportunity to go back to assisting once you have managed an office. I feel stale in my current occupation and I have always enjoyed learning. Thank you for your honest opinion.

I am 56, and have been a dental assistant for the last 21 years. At my age, am I too old to pursue earning an ADN? I am concerned about employment opportunities at the age of 58 when I graduate. I would appreciate any honest feedback from experienced nurses. Thanks😃

I have been a dental assistant for 21 years and am at the point in my career where I am managing and don't get to do much chairside Assisting. I take care of insurance and do administrative duties mostly. I am 56 years old and am supposed to start an ADN program next month. I will be 58 when I graduate with my nursing degree. I have been working towards this for about 12 years, paying off debt and taking prerequisites during that time. I was supposed to start about 5 years ago but my current boss talked me out of it. My question is: am I too old at this point to go back to school and earn my nursing degree and will I be able to find employment at my age? Everytime I think I should just let it go, I just can't because it is something I have always wanted to do. Am I being foolish to do this? My boss thinks I am nuts.