Questioning about starting all over again at 50+

Nurses Disabilities

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Specializes in behavioral health.

I went through my local OVR office to check about returning to work. I am an LPN and have not worked since June 2004. I have Sarcoidosis, a chronic illness with periods of exacerbations and remissions. I believe that I now have it under control with my meds. I have been stable for almost 2 years now.

My counselor at OVR suggested that I get my RN. I was shocked and said I would love it, if they would pay for it. And, that I almost had my RN in the past and it shouldn't take me that long to get it. He told me to get a letter from my dr. why she believed that getting an RN would be more beneficial than working more physcial positions with my LPN. There are more opportunities for the RN vs LPN. The only jobs in my local area are in nursing homes. I was estatic that day.

Then, I called around to nursing schools, including the one I attended in the past. I was broken-hearted to learn that I would have to repeat all of my science courses over again. A&P, Micro, etc. I could understand the clinical nursing aspect of it. But, anatomy has not changed! I was hoping that I would only need to take challenge exams. And, the school I attended in the past wants me to get 3 reference letters for interview to get into nursing school, again. I am definitely not returning there. That really irked me. The director of the nursing school was my clinical instructor. I liked her, and she liked me. I felt like I got a slap in the face from her.

I guess that I had waited too long to get back in. I did not realize that it had been so long. I left the RN program back in 1996. My college courses were in 93-94. So, they are too old for anyone to accept.

It looks like if I am lucky the earliest I will get back into school is fall of 2009. I am 51 now, so I will be about 54 when I am done. I don't know if I want to go through it all, again. I definitely do not want to do bedside nursing. Of course, that is the point of me getting my RN. I realize that I would have to get through my clinicals. I believe that I could handle that. I would like to work in drug & alcohol. I have worked in that as an LPN. Also, I think that I would be interested in home health or hospice where there is only one patient at a time.

Am I nuts for even considering this again? For the past week, I said forget it, that I am too old. But, today I am thinking that if they pay for it, why not? Financially, I should be working now. But, in the long run, I will be making more money, later. And, I can still collect my SSDI while going to school.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

No you are not too old so keep plugging away and good luck and hope you find something soon

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

I totally understand the wonder if...............

I have nursed for 30 years, in all kinds of arenas. I , too am disabled on SSDI and tried to return to school and relapsed into my respriratory disablement.

I wish I had the magic wand. Where did my ambition go? I get it. At this point it's day by day.

If you feel you could go for it, and have the advantage of it being paid for, I would repeat A & P, maybe challenge o!ther courses, and just see what it feels like to continue. If I could I know I would.

I wish you luck in your challenge.:redpinkhe

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Specializes in behavioral health.

Thanks for the replies. I think that I will try it. First, I will call and confirm they will pay for it. I may be getting ahead of myself, here. My counselor thought that he would be able to get approval. If not, then hopefully I can find something not physically demanding as LPN, or train to do something else. I will update as I find more out.

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I am 56 will graduate at 57, working as a PCT on weekends. Tired, but fine. Go for it and good luck to you.

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If all goes well and I even get into the LVN program I'm pursuing, I won't be done until late 2009, and I'll be 53. And I have health issues, as anyone over 50 does. But there's no national healthcare here, there's no safety net. So I need to take care of myself. Maybe, after a long fight, I could qualify for disability...at $800 a month. That wouldn't even buy food, so what's the point of trying? There's been no job security in the US since the 1980s, so I can't retire until I'm at least 65. Overall, the way I look at it, I have a right to work and support myself. The last time I checked, there is a law against discrimination about age or medical status. Right now, I'm at the top of my pre-LVN class. Clinicals are where I fall down, but I have no experience. I think I'm doing very well, and I have a right not to work for peanuts. And so do you!

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

FMLA was established in the 90's. Albeit not a solid one, I hear what you are saying.

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Specializes in ICU, Tissue & Organ Recovery, Surgery.

Have you considered a certification in medical coding? these people go through hospital charts and bill insurance for everything they can find down to each respiratory treatment. This is what my mother in law did at age 54 (RN) when she could not find any non physical RN jobs to do. They paid her about $14/hr in Indiana. Her nursing was a big plus.

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Specializes in behavioral health.

Thank you for your replies. I have made some decisions. I definitely decided against trying for my RN. I called my counselor today, and told him that I can remember how hard it was through nursing school. Not just academically, but it was taxing on me physically. I was exhausted. I rationalized that getting my RN this time would be easier. My reasoning was that I did not have diagnosis then and was not on meds. And, now I am stabilized on meds. But, with my age, it is too big a risk to take. If I was healthy, then I would not hesitate to go back.

I had my job interview for the jail position, yesterday. If I don't get it, then I will continue to seek for non-physcial LPN jobs. Maybe, I should make my resume public on monster.com seeking non-physical LPN work. and, I believe that I may go the medical coding route as transplant nurse had mentioned.

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Specializes in ICU, Tissue & Organ Recovery, Surgery.

by the way, most hospitals are now making this a telecommute position also, so that is a super-plus! You can stay at home and work in your jammies!

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Specializes in ICU, Tissue & Organ Recovery, Surgery.

if you are out of work right now you also might be able to get some assistance in payng for the coding class, my mother in law also got assistance for that, though i think it was less than $2K total. It was through a state funded program helping get people back to work, here it's called Jobworks. Heck with the economy like it is the money may be all dried up by now better hurry on that one. :hngon:

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Hi iwanna. I think you have made some good decisions on getting the RN. I went back to school in my early 30's and I have a mild health condition. Nursing school is the HARDEST thing I have ever persued. It's tiring mentally and physically. It really is and I am only in my 30's. When I decided to go back to school, I thought 'how hard can this be?' Yeah... right. It's the toughest thing I have ever done in my life and probably ever will do. So before you do it (which I am guessing you have decided not to).. I would REALLY think about it and way all the pros and cons. I am glad I am where I am at with just a year to go. Looking back, had I known it was this hard, I may not have done it. But I will make it. I am almost there. Best of luck to you in your decision!!

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