What kind of job can I get with an ADN but no license?

Nurses General Nursing

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In May of 2012, with a lot of hard work and student loan debt I graduated nursing school at 26 years of age. When I applied for boards my application was denied because I had an arrest record I wasn't aware of. When I was 18 I was wrongfully arrested and charges were dismissed. TWO YEARS after graduating, spending more money I didn't have on an attorney, my "record" was expunged and I was approved to take NCLEX. Since nursing school I have been working in bars and clubs to keep myself afloat. I have now failed the nclex three times. I'm 29 years old, a single mother to a 6 month old baby getting zero child support and practically homeless. We've been staying on family members couches and I've been selling all my belongings. I can't work in bars because of the mass amount of baby weight I put on. Of course, because of all this I am very depressed.

Where can a associate degreed non licensed nurse make a LIVEABLE wage?

Specializes in Registered Nurse.
I wasn't suggesting that LPN's aren't nurses I was one for 15 years. I was addressing the PP that stated she needed a Bachelor's degree to do CM/UR. You know, the post I quoted ? Moreover, the UR department at one of the insurance companies with headquarters in Tampa does on the job training for new grads so a situation isn't the same everywhere. It won't hurt to try. And the job descriptions don't say nurse cm nurse ur. They say UR/CM. The case manager at my husbands facility is a CNA with on the job training.

That's interesting. Never heard of a non-nurse CM or UR Manager.

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You could look for pt care tech/ cna jobs, unit secretary, working at group homes (developmental disabilities/mental health), healthcare admin jobs such as pt registration, reception. Janitorial/ food service at a healthcare place ( hospital/ snf). Once you get into one of these places especially unit secretary/tech/cna start hitting up the nurses for help like old review books, shadowing, anything. As you work through questions or old books ask the nurses on ones you get stuck on. Practice tests are going to let you identify weak areas. However refresher courses are key. Look into forbearance for your loans fed loans give up to 3 years. Also do income repayment plan if the forbearance runs out because it can go as low as 0. When people speak about a refresher course only some states offer the type that are hands on like a mini nursing school. Have you looked into job training programs/ child care programs? Also see if you are in a state that let's rn students/ grads sit for pn NCLEX. It's not much easier but perhaps enough so to allow you to pass.

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Praying for you. I hope it gets better. Keep trying to pass NCLEX, don't give up just yet.

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Hi. I know it is hard to be in your situation. When I first got here in USA, it was not easy at all. I suggest that you work as a nursing assistant. There are some hospitals who do not require you to have a CNA license. In that way you are abreast with the nursing field. That's what I did. Until I was able to save up money and got my papers processed and took the NCLEX. I borrowed books from the nurses I worked with, and when I was able to afford it, took some time off so I could focus on reviewing. It took me a year and a half to save up the money I needed to take the NCLEX. And this is because I came from another country. I had a co worker who did not make the exam the first 3 times, but on the 4th, he nailed it. My tips on the review itself, there were 3 books I read: Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX, Prioritization and Delegation by La Charity, and Kaplan Basics. And I don't think you will have a problem with growth and development since you can learn from your baby. You got first hand experience. You will make it, you just need to keep your focus, and keep your hope for a better tomorrow.

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Original poster here. I just wanted to update everyone. I finally passed NCLEX! I also want to apologize about this post, I was very down and felt like I would never pass. I feel like I was a super downer to everyone and has having a real hard time seeing solutions. I found that my problem was the wording of the questions. I felt strong with content. So I got the Kaplan bank only and mastered the questions. I passed in 75 questions.

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. They really did help me keep pushing.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Original poster here. I just wanted to update everyone. I finally passed NCLEX!
Congratulations! Thank you for the detailed update.
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Specializes in psych.
Original poster here. I just wanted to update everyone. I finally passed NCLEX!

Congrats!!! That's fantastic news! :yes:

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Original poster here. I just wanted to update everyone. I finally passed NCLEX! I also want to apologize about this post, I was very down and felt like I would never pass. I feel like I was a super downer to everyone and has having a real hard time seeing solutions. I found that my problem was the wording of the questions. I felt strong with content. So I got the Kaplan bank only and mastered the questions. I passed in 75 questions.

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. They really did help me keep pushing.

So happy for you!

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