Student Nurses over 35 and Second Career????

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi everyone, new to the site! I love it! I did most of my research on the internet and found that this site was very informational and gave alot of life experience that I needed to help make this bold decision!

Okay, I'm 37 2 kids (age 2 and 13) and a devoted husband. I have worked for a very popular technology company for 14yrs! I've been a customer service supervisor, Buyer and now i'm a Accountant. Needless to say-I HATE IT.

With the economy the way it is, I thank God that I have a good job now but I don't want to mis this opportunity... I love encouraging and working with others, i'm very compassionate with it comes to people and making them better. I have no experience in the Health Care field and i'm very anxious about starting school. My plan: CNA night classes to began in fall 2009. Summer 09 I will take my math, biology, chem (during the evenign) classes for the Nursing pre-req. Spring 10 apply for the LPN program at community college then go into the LPN to RN bridge. I know I will have to eventaully quick my very well paying job at some point (probably when I'm accepted into the Nursing program) and that will be very challenging I expect. But that is why I want to get my CNA so at least I will have some kind of income coming in (75% less income than what i have now).

Is it realistic to believe that with my skilss that I may be able to work 2 jobs to regain my current income?

I currently also work from home 3 days a week, so studying won't be a probably.

Is there any of you that have similuar situations? I would love your feedback! Thank you all !!!!:bugeyes:

Hello... Im 42 and was just layed off from the factory. Even though I worked in the medical field 8 years ago for 13 yrs, found it very hard to get a job without updated experience in a doctors office... so back to school for me!! Im on the wait list for the RN program, so taking MA classes to get me back up to speed. Hopefully will be able to get a job after schooling for this is done while I am waiting. Best of luck to everyone!!

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Hello all! Glad to know this thread is here. I'm 36 and on my second career. I spent almost 10 years (off and on) in the architecture world and wasn't completely fulfilled. Then my brother (who was 40 at the time) had a stroke and it stopped me in my tracks. Since then he has completely recovered - thank GOD, but I have decided that I cannot waste anymore time with a job just because it pays well. It was time to got after what I really wanted. So I quit my job about 2 years ago, took all my prereq's, and I just got accepted into a 2 yr program 2 days ago. I am married and we hope to start a family once I graduate and get a job. Thank you soooo much for sharing your stories! It's nice to know I'm not alone.

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Hi all! I'm also new to this site and soooo grateful I found this thread. I'm almost 37 and just now working towards a "career" instead of a job. Technically I'm a SAHM, although I don't really stay at home much ;). I'm down to Physio and Micro, then I can apply for the RN program. I'm looking into CNA classes for the fall, to give me something to focus on while I wait....and wait.... I wanted to take my CNA classes this summer but I have a 5 year old son so nights are my only option until he starts school again. I heard the Red Cross was a great option, but its almost $1500.00, so thats a big NO for me.

Anyways, love for all your posts! They're very inspiring to me,considering I'm usually older than my professors :crying2:

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Hey Love,

I think I'm in a very similar boat to you. I'm 30, I'm working for a University in the tech department, and I've been there three years, I work my tail off, I do most of the work, and I can't seem to get ahead. Worse, I'm not sure I WANT to get ahead! There are layoffs coming, and I seriously honestly pray that I'll be on that list. They offer voluntary layoffs, and I'm so all over that.

Is it crazy? Probably. But my husband and I have been working hard to pay down debt and reduce expenses as much as possible. So we could afford to take a pay cut and not put our house or our lives in jeopardy.

I'm also finishing my bachelors degree. I'm writing a senior paper this term, and I'm jumping for joy because I haven't done my biology lab yet. Which means I'll be able to take something that transfers in to another program.

I'm considering phlebotomy, CNA and once working in those fields, finishing a post-bacc nursing program or going for radiology technician. I know the economy is bad, but I'm hoping that I bring to the table the fact that I'm a dedicated, hard worker, conscientious (ie, I already know not to be late and not to call in sick when I ain't) and I've got a considerable amount of education behind me (comparatively).

No one is going to tell you "yes, do it, you won't fail." But I think we're both taking sensible risks.

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Specializes in Palliative Care.

What a great thread! I'm 40 and have been a CNA for four months at a long term care facility (skilled nursing unit). I went back to school a year and a half ago and finally finished all of my pre reqs to get into nursing school and am trying to get experience (and the $$ needed for school) any way I can. My husband and sons have supported me while I studied Micro like a mad woman and typed out papers in the wee hours of the morning. In the end, I think it'll all be worth it :D

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Jenn,

I'm 32 with two toddlers . . . have a BA in English and spent 10 years in hotel sales . . . finally decided what I want to be when I grow up also. I'm planning to do a direct entry MSN program or 2nd degree BSN when my youngest starts preschool next year. In the meantime I've been doing prerecs and think I'm going to do a CNA course and work part time to get experience. You're not alone . .. half my class for nursing prerecs is over 30.

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This is a terrific thread! I'm in the same boat as many of you. 33 and am a stay-at-home-mom for 2 years now. I have a 1 and 2 year old (yes, we had an unexpected bonus child:) I have been spending the last 2 years finishing my BS degree getting into the wonderful world of computer programming and wham economy goes bust... I can't find a foot into the door of the IT industry. I had been on the business side of e-commerce and don't want to return to that profession or corporate world.

I just walked my grandmother through alzheimers and eventually her death in February. Though it was tough I felt really satisfied taking care of her. So, now I'm starting the CNA program in June, and hope to be working by the end of August. If I like it and can find the money I hope to eventually get my RN either directly or through the LPN / ADN bridge program. My mother was a LPN for hospice and has always been very open about the profession. I think this is why it's taken me so long to go into the profession. I've heard all about the good and bad sides of it. She insists I just go straight into the RN program and skip the LPN, but I think it depends on entrance times for the programs. Best to you all!

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I'm 33 and thinking of going into Nursing too, my B.A. in psychology over 10 years ago. I wondered why most folks are more interested in CNA programs instead of post-baccalaureate programs BS or MSN? I feel like well if I have to take all of the prereq's over again, and spend 2 years in school, wouldn't it be better to go for the harder degree?

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Suebee2,

I can't speak for everyone but I'm looking at CNA to get at least a little hands on experience BEFORE doing a 2nd degree BSN or direct entry MSN program. I've found programs are competative and you need some hands on experience to be taken seriously I think (IMO). Where I am a CNA program is only 6 weeks long . . . class two nights a week and all day Saturday . . . then you can work on a PRN basis.

I was wondering why so many are looking at APN or LPN programs that have a degree already in another field . . . UNTIL I started pricing programs . . . the best I've found for a 2nd degree program is 15K (after all your prerecs). UGGGG.

Good luck to you . ..

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Hello All over 35ers! So happy to see that I am not the only one. However, I am 51 !!! A young 51....had my last child at 39 ... yes she is 12 now !!! Single mom and just got laid off from my great paying IT job. I too felt stuck and unhappy and then bam ... laid off. Starting over. My questions are:

1) I want to take a local 2 week CNA or STNA course. They want $500 and they say I will be certified after I take the state exam. Does this sound legit to you?

2) What is an EMT?

Thanks.

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Hello everybody,

Keep the faith, I played the waiting game and I got in. Go for it, I have been accepted to a parttime LPN program that begins in August. :smiletea2:(62 no kidding) it's just a number. Thanks for all the good advice.

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The course here is $200 plus the extras and is six weeks so I don't know why it wouldn't be legit . . . maybe someone else knows the sites you can check accredidation (my spelling doesn't look right but too early/not enough coffee yet to be sure . . . you know what I mean anyway:)

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