Trying to help daughter

[John O]

My Daughter received her nursing assistant certification and geriatric nursing aide cert back in high school and has been working in the field ever since she was old enough,in nursing homes and currently in a Baltimore Hospital ICU full time plus OT. She has a lot of experience for some one who is not even 21 yet. Back in high school she was a great student and seemed college bound intending on getting Her BSN. But some how the reality of life and bill paying (car payments etc etc) has derailed her. She keeps down grading her aspirations . Now she’s talking about just getting a 2 year Rad tech or physical therapy tech or emt or what ever is the latest career de jour. But ,She has not even signed up for any of those yet. And I said at least shoot for a 2 year RN at our local community college but she says that will take her 4-5 years and she won t do it. She seems to think the grass is all ways greener in one of these tech programs vs RN. How can I get her back on the RN track which I think is better for her in the long run.

Thanks, John O

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

John O,

You wanting her to be a nurse does not equate to HER wanting to be a nurse. And being forced into a career path not of your choosing is a recipe for unhappiness. She's not yet 21, let her decide what her path will be. Not every one knows that young - it's OK. 

PS: Rad tech is a well-paying respected job in health care. 

[John O]

Thank you Mary, I remember hating it when my dad tried to influence my job educational choices. But I also know from my own life(I’m 62) that it only gets harder to find the time and funds for education as one gets older. But your right , it is ultimately is her choice her life, she has to want it and be satisfied with the choice.

thank-you, John O

[Shan, RN]

Hi John. There are so many different careers in healthcare, and it can be overwhelming to be faced with a plethora of interesting options. Even as a student pursuing an RN, I still have no idea which field of nursing I want to go into because there's so many to choose from. Becoming a radiology tech, surgical tech, paramedic, PT/OT, or other specialized technician is an excellent choice. Also, choosing one of these paths does not mean she can't choose to become an RN in the future; many nurses are "second-career" nurses, who may have been anything from an accountant to a pilot, first. When I graduated high school, I went to university with plans to become a particle physicist. Three years into that, I switched to nursing. Like me, it may take her a few years to decide what she's really passionate about, and whatever she lands on, I would encourage you to encourage her. She's lucky to have a dad who is invested in her future.

[nanillest, LVN]

Your will have to make her own decisions. Even if she decides to go to school later. 

[John O]

Thanks for all the wonderful comments, and it looks like there is some good news! My daughter just came home after doing 5 12 hr shifts 5 days in a row at the ICU.  I asked her about her plans medical career wise and found out really wants to be an RN but the thought of having to work even part while getting the degree especially like when your taking say Med/surg and Pharmacology etc at same time is just not a good idea. She has taken some college courses already while workin FT and it’s just crazy. So I am going to find away to get her enough money so she can work FT during the Summer but not have to work at all during the school year without having her bury herself in debt for ever.  I know she likes nursing because she comes home and tells me all the crazy things that happen at work, codes, the RNs that took her under their wing, scared BSN students that ask her the “tech” for help, the latest new “baby doctor” on the floor right out if Med school, biting hitting patients(them trying to bite /hit her) You know fun stuff! So there is hope. 
Thanks, John

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

It’s great you’re quite involved. The truth is that youth don’t have it all figured out and like you said, by the time she does, it may be much harder to stay on track. With children, marriage, mortgage etc, she may never actually return or may return far later than would have been ideal.

Of course she will ultimately choose where she wants to be. It’s important to have the discussion of where she wants to be in the long run. How much do these other alternate professions make compared to RNs? 

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

I currently work with a phlebotomist and a clinic LPN per diem float who work part time and are both in an ADN program. It is doable. If she takes the PN exam, she can work as a LPN (and make a salary in the low $20s around here). Taking the PN exam is great practice for taking the NCLEX too.

There is a HUGE demand for MAs and LPNs in my area. They are less expensive to hire than RNs.