Very Unsure in Reno, Nevada

[chesca8019]

If anyone in the Reno, Nv. area can help that would be awesome. As well as anyone who is in theirs 30's and beginning their first career.

Hello, I am a 36 year old female looking to start a career in nursing or dental hygiene. I haven't been in school since I graduated high school so I know this is going to be a challenge. It may take longer than most people as I will have to start from the bottom. I would like to know how the schooling will be and how difficult it would be for someone who is my age and hasn't been in school in almost 20 years. I'm unsure which to pursue. What has me unsure is not knowing if the field I choose will have me unemployed by the time I graduate. I would also like to know if anyone knows anything about the schedules and work load between the 2 fields. I have a many more questions but these are my main concerns.

Thank you =)

[BookishBelle]

Hi! Going back to school has a lot of advantages. You have had more life experience, which often leads to confidence and wisdom. It takes more out of you, but you really want to do it, so you also put more into it. My friend used to say that returning students wrecked the curve in every class she was in.

The prerequisites for both of those career paths will be very similar. A science, math, psych type of thing. If you wanted to get your feet wet and see how you do, taking one of those at a community college might be a good way to build some confidence. I dove in and took 16 credits a semester right away, (made it my main focus) and got all A's, even on General Chemistry and Algebra and Trigonometry when I hadn't taken them for over 20 years. When I was done a year though I had too many credits. All I had needed was the science and math. So maybe make an appointment with an advisor first.

Getting into nursing or dental school is very competitive in my area, and you need to do well on the pre reqs. My school provides free tutoring, and there are many great teachers in YouTube to get you up to speed though.

As far as careers go, those are two areas where competent, caring people are always needed.