Should I be a CNA -- I'm 44yrs old!!! Is it too late for me?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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hello!

i'm new this site as i am trying to garner information on either becoming a cna first to see if i really would be suitable material for nursing school (possibly an lpn or rn) at this late point in my life.

i'm 44yrs old, live in nj, i work f/t at an ivy league university and have a son who will be 19 in 3 weeks! i've always thought about nursing, but never did it. i make a 'good' wage as an office administrator , but i do enjoy helping people. when my mil died 5yrs ago, i helped the hospice nurse clean and take care of her. it didn't bother me in the least.

the other motivator is that i need to make some extra income , as i will be paying for a loan i took out for my child's college. i can't make overtime at my f/t job as i have a low-level management position.

my question is:

1) should i at least try a cna program and get certified to see if it is for me and to help make extra money part-time? (and help others, of course!)

2) if i do indeed enjoy it, should i go to school for nursing at this late stage?? i'm 44....is it just a stupid idea to try and earn a degree now (i don't have one..i never finished college) :( (i should have stayed in college when i had the chance, but oh well...)

3) should i not do a cna program and just jump to an lpn program??? but perhaps being a cna will help me decide if its for me??

4) is it possible to work f/t (37hrs a week), go to cna training (or rn school) and work p/t?? i know some people have done it.. i'm just wondering if i'm just too old to do all of this.

4) is it more advantageous to do an lpn training or just shoot for rn (after cna training) if i indeed do the cna training and like it??

any and all help/suggestions would be great. i really need to do something -- and i figure if i want to help people, i should learn a new trade and be able to work p/t in that trade, instead of me working at target (not that there is anything wrong with that!! :)

thank you!! sorry for all of the questions, i am in real need of input. i look forward to hearing your responses.

O2BSN: Vineland is very far from me -- I'm in the Princeton/Trenton, NJ area.

Thank you though; all of you have been gems!!

I just wish I wasn't so scared to do this. I've done "other" things before (real estate, etc) and never stayed with it. I had my Real Estate license and went to school w/a broken foot and NEVER did anything with it. I just don't want this to be the same, as it's my M.O. :(

I'm also scared it would be too much to work FT, PT and go to school. Finishing in 5+ years just seems so far away and too long. I cannot attend a day program and would only be able to go to school Part-Time, in the evenings.

See..I really am scared and think I'm trying to talk my way out of this.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

You have to be a CNA Before you can even enroll.... and they have online programs.... After the 1st semester, I did as many online classes that i could. I did my schooling at the local community college. I did the LPN to RN... and you can go as fast and as slow as you want.

I owned my own business in my other life. I was not sure what I wanted to do after I sold my business. My friend who was an administrator in a NH asked me to help out... she could not find a person that would work nights at her NH... I said I would give it a try and I loved it. the offered my full time that came with Health insurance and other benefits. (massive amounts of PTO) I went from 25,000(cna wage) a year to 60,000 (my RN wage) a year. in about 3 years. I am from Northern MN that is an incredibly good wage for around here. I work in LTC that is not the highest paying position. and our cost of living is very low around here. My mortgage is only $400 a month.

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Thanks again Dee!! Do you mean I have to be a CNA before I can enroll in an LPN or RN program?

I just looked at the list of accredited schools my employer will accept for tuition and there are NO Vocational/Technical schools listed. Mainly county colleges (which is fine, but there aren't any CNA programs in my area) and and 4yr schools. *sigh*

I REFUSE to go pay for money out of pocket that I cannot afford. Things are really, really tight right now (hence the need for me to find PT employment to supplement my income) and I just can't pay for any program or online program that my company will not reimburse me 85%. The only option is doing a RN program at my nearest county college and that is reimburseable. I just don't want to start that and then find it's too hard or I don't like it. It's time and money wasted.

Also, in my current FT job, I make about $52K, with full benefits, FREE pension plan (that my employer dumps 9% into without me having to), PLUS a matching 401K. With all of that, I just can't leave my FT job.

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That's why I mentioned ROP for your CNA-I teach @ one through the school district. They're accredited and much cheaper. Some of them offer classes @night. You may be out $100-$500 tops.

I'm not talking about ITT or Everest type programs. This is much more basic and yes, most 2 year programs for RN's are starting to require CNA's so they dont have to waste their time(or yours) learning the skills.

Delee I'm with you, online is the best. Santa Barbara City College online Rocks!

Patho and Pharm online was the best!

There are other easier jobs that have a nice per diem, Chrys, what about Phlebotomy?

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O2BSN: You know -- it's funny you mentioned Phlebotomy! I had thought about that as well, but don't know much about it. Do you have to be certified? And what would one make per diem?

How would that work?? Would I work P/T at a hospital or care center??

Unfortunately, this is a great option, but I think I'll be in the same boat. Any training would most likely be at a vocational/technical school and my employer does not do reimbursement for those. If there is a 'certificate' program, it has to be an 'approved certificate program', but they don't list what that entails. So, I may be out of luck with that. I'll have to see.

I can't even afford $100 out of pocket at this point!! Just being honest.

But I'll search on the phlebotomy avenue, just to see what I come up with. If it only pays $9 per hour, it probably isn't worth it for me.

Thanks for all of your help!!

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Yikes..it's late!

I just did some quick research and it seems like A LOT of Phlebotomists can't find work or just out of certificate training and can't find work. I just found a message board with recent posts and people are really upset that they went thru the training for nothing -- due to the lack of jobs. :(

Have a good nite everyone!

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yes - i'm still up!

eureka! i found a cna program! it's run by my county college's adult continuing education program and starts in october for 12 saturdays!

what do you all think?? thank you o2bsn!!!! (you had the right idea!!!)

now i have to see if my employer will reimburse and apply for the program if i can get the money!

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here is the info:

[color=#880000][color=#880000][color=#880000]certified nurse aide (cna)[color=#880000][color=#880000]

prerequisites: high school diploma or ged; a clear understanding of written and spoken

english; background check; finger printing; proof of the following immunizations: mantoux,

hbv, mmr & varicella; and 2-step ppd.

costs of the uniform, professional , other

material fees (approximately $300) and the state exam fee are additional.

all applicants are required to attend a free information session at the conference center

(xah253-083920) on wednesday, september 16 at 6pm.

certified nursing assistants (cnas) are greatly increasing in demand in response to the need for

senior care in long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and senior housing. this 90-hour

course is approved by the nj department of health and senior services. it is designed to meet

the challenge by providing 50 hours of classroom and 40 hours of clinical instruction to prepare

you for the new jersey state certified nursing assistant certification exam. as a cna, you will be eligible for employment in a long-term care facility, assisted living facility, adult medical day care, or some hospitals.

textbook required. available in college bookstore.

9.0 ceu. tuition and fees: $1,195 (tuition: $720; lab fees: $375; non-refundable registration fee: $100)

[color=#880000][color=#880000][color=#880000]oct 3-jan 9*[color=#880000][color=#880000]

12 sessions sa 9am-3:30pm*

(1/2 hour for break)

*clinical sessions begin at 7:30am and are held at...]

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

In my state if you are hired prior to the class your employer pays. Thats what happened when they offered me the job... In MN you can work for 4 months with out a certificate.

I worked and took the class... after that was done I thought that wasn't so bad. I applied for fafsa... (student financial aid) and then enrolled into the LPN program... I worked nights and went to school during the day. the first semester was a killer. after that I took every thing I could on line.

I worked at the nursing home for the insurance. because I was full time health insurance for 3 was $59 a pay period.

If I were in your shoes I would apply to some local Nursing homes and see if there is a shift you could work. and if they would pay for the class. and then work for a while to see if you liked it.... if you like it then I would check to see if you would quailfy for financial aid. when 2 people in a household are in college you may qualify.

It never hurts to check.

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Specializes in ED, LTC, ICU.

Redcross and Community colleges offer CNA classes..U dont need college credits to get in. You can be whatever u want to be as long as u are determined to do it regardless of age ...........Best wishes!

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chrys check with the college that is giving this course --they may have a scholorship or grant that would help with the costs. If you do decide take the time to go to the school and get the list of books you will need--get the ISBN numbers from them and then go online to e-bay or half.com and get them cheap.

I never paid full price for any of my nursing books and I saved a fortune.

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Hi Dee, thanks so much!

Believe me, I DO NOT qualify for financial aid. My son couldn't get aid from FAFSA, because our household income (my husband and I) is a little over $100K from our two jobs combined. I had to take out a government parent loan for my son for $30K. He came home after the first semester, so now I owe $15K and need help w/a 2nd job to start to pay for that loan. I really cannot take another loan out. I live in NJ -- the cost of living here is crazy and you have to make a good salary, just to keep afloat. :( Unfortunately, Just because my household income is over the median, it doesn't mean we have any money, which is such a joke to me. We have bill, a mortgage, car payments, loans, etc. Things are tight.

Also, if I were interested in the this Oct. session that I listed above for the CNA class, I have to have my employer approve the class 31 days before the start date, which would mean I have to get the reimbursement form to my employer TOMORROW. I'm currently out on disability due to surgery and my boss has to sign the form. Nothing is ever easy as it seems!! I may have to miss this class and see if I can take the CNA training somewhere else.

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Hi RNBSN: The red cross in my area DOES NOT offer CNA classes. I've already checked. Only in the philly area. :(

Hi Kitty: Thanks for the tip regarding the books! I'm going to call the college today to see if there are any alternatives for paying for the CNA class. If there is not (since I can't get financial aid as my household salary is too large), I may have to just forgo this until the right time.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions and help!!! Perhaps this isn't the right avenue at this tiime -- seems like there are too many roadblocks. When that happens -- someone may be telling you something. :saint:

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