So much info here! I am on overload!

I have always wanted to be a Nurse. But "back in the day" Male nurses were very few and far between. So I went down a different path and the last 2 1/2 years have been in Manufacturing.

Because of 2 recent layoffs and moving staff around and losing my third shift differential which equals a 20% pay cut:angryfire I think it's time to finally fulfill my desire to get into Nursing.

I am somewhat confused as to which way to go CNA to LVN or LPN to maybe eventually an RN.

I am sole income provider between my wife and myself, so I need to work (probably full time) and go to school at the same time:o. But I don't know if I can do both full time.

I an wondering if anyone else has decided to do this "mid-life" career change and how they handled it? How long did it take you to get your CNA or LPN?

Any thoughts and comments are appreciated!

Hi and welcome!

I did. :) It took me 3 semesters for pre-reqs and then a year to finish LPN school. I worked a min of 30 hours a week all through LPN and then the RN bridge program and graduated among the top of both classes. Its hard work and there isn't much time left over for anything else but oh so worth it in the end. If you can make a decent buck doing what you are doing now I wouldn't bother getting my CNA first because the work is incredibly hard and the pay crappy, imo. Check out your local community colleges to find LPN or ADN programs that are cheap and quick.

Hello there! I started LPN school at the age of 22, did a one-year program at a local trade school. I had a family already and worked part time. Unfortunately, since it was a trade school, the credits won't transfer, so I'm in the midst of getting all my pre-reqs out of the way b/c I had to start all over again on the way to my RN. While working full time and raising a family.

My hubby and I were just debating about the feasibility of him being a SAHD once clinicals and straight nursing classes start. It'd suck, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Nursing school is stressful, and oftentimes marriages suffer (temporarily usually) b/c of it. Make sure that your wife knows that it's going to be a bumpy ride for a while.