What nursing career would suit my mother?

[OrganizedChaos]

I don't know where this fits so feel free to move it.

My mother works for the State of Texas. They just implemented a hiring freeze & want to consolidate all nonessential jobs. Her job falls under the nonessential category.

So I was wondering what would be good for her as another job. She wants to become a med aide but according to Texas law she has to work as a CNA for 90 days. I'm not trying to find a way around that but maybe there is something else she can do.

She has a bachelor's degree so I know she could do an ABSN program but what else is out there for her?

[elkpark]

I am reminded of all the times parents come here and start threads about how their college-age or young adult child is interested in nursing as a career and they are looking for information about schools, career paths, etc. There are always responses on those threads along the lines of "if your child is so interested in nursing and is mature and responsible enough to enter nursing school, why isn't s/he here doing the research her/himself?" I'm going to ask you the same thing. If your mother, who is, by definition (since you are old enough to be a working nurse) mature enough to be making her own decisions, has any interest in nursing, why isn't she doing her own research? Or, again, is this something you are pushing for her despite her lack of personal interest?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I am reminded of all the times parents come here and start threads about how their college-age or young adult child is interested in nursing as a career and they are looking for information about schools, career paths, etc. There are always responses on those threads along the lines of "if your child is so interested in nursing and is mature and responsible enough to enter nursing school, why isn't s/he here doing the research her/himself?" I'm going to ask you the same thing. If your mother, who is, by definition (since you are old enough to be a working nurse) mature enough to be making her own decisions, has any interest in nursing, why isn't she doing her own research? Or, again, is this something you are pushing for her despite her lack of personal interest?

Lol. No. Like I said I was just looking for advice for her since she came to me. Why isn't she here? Because I like to try to keep some part of my life private from her & she would be able to identify my account within a few posts I have made. She doesn't know I made this post.

Remember, *she* came to *me* about becoming a med aide. She original went to college to be a doctor. And actually her & my father convinced me to be a nurse. So no, I am not pushing her to do anything because of how I feel. I don't even think I could force her to do anything since she is fiercely independent.

I am just a concerned daughter looking to help her mother. I wanted advice on how my mom could become a nurse because I know, for a fact, she could not survive on a med aide salary alone. Because, God forbid, she actually loses her job, I want her to know there is hope even though she lost her job.

Due to the the fact that she is not willing to relocate & doesn't want to commute, nursing is the only viable option in our town. Of course they hire for receptionist positions & other jobs like that but nothing that can truly pay the bills. That is why I asked. If she is really interested she will do her own research. I wanted to give her a jumping off point & some suggestions.

If I wasn't so active on this website I would tell her about it. It is not that I post crude things, I just don't need her in *every* aspect of my life. I had a different screen name when I first joined but then I found out my ex-best friend was on here & quickly changed it. She could still figure out it was me by the posts I make but I didn't want to make it that easy.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Lol. My mom is unpredictable so even though I don't post anything *I* think is bad, she may feel differently.

I've posted a few bad things about the child over the years, but maybe she won't delve into my 15 year posting history.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I've posted a few bad things about the child over the years, but maybe she won't delve into my 15 year posting history.

Oh, my mom would! We already have a rocky relationship as it is. If she has found anything I have said about her she would lose it. We have nowhere else to go so I'd rather just keep this part of my life private.

[amoLucia]

Why just nursing? Why not something like dental assisting/hygienist? Or mammography/radiology? Homecare phlebotomy services?

Regardless of your community, I'm sure there are always places needing staff for those types of services. Your local community college prob offers a variety of healthcare training programs. And if not your immediate CC, the next county over may.

Every time I go to my dentist, I observe her staff. And then I think to myself, could I have gone dental and been satisfied? I think so. Maybe all my dentists were good employers, but their staff always seemed to be working efficiently and satisfactorily happy-like.

I think salaries might not be too far apart depending upon which selected field is chosen and based upon the professional duties.

I get the feeling that you seem to be pushing nursing for lack of any familiarity with many other career options. Those of us nursing fossil dinosaurs have seen much. I'm guessing that at your Mom's age she most likely is looking for a stable job that pays decent without crazy workplace demands.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't catch what her work/education background has been. I figure her to be around 50 y/o so she's facing another good 15 years or more until retirement. That she has to change directions at this stage in her life which necessitates new educational preparation can be daunting. She has to make decisions herself and there could well be some situational depression that's lurking about.

Yes, there are numerous AN members here who entered nsg late or as second career-ers. Some have done well; some have struggled big-time. Not to preach to the choir but nsg is not like it used to be - it is tough and not for the weak-of-heart. And who knows what the future holds for the next 15 years for your Mom (health-wise).

Just know, I do admire you and give you lots of credit/kudos for trying to lookout for your Mom. I just think your pushing nursing is not the way to go.

jmho

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Why just nursing? Why not something like dental assisting/hygienist? Or mammography/radiology? Homecare phlebotomy services?

Regardless of your community, I'm sure there are always places needing staff for those types of services. Your local community college prob offers a variety of healthcare training programs. And if not your immediate CC, the next county over may.

Every time I go to my dentist, I observe her staff. And then I think to myself, could I have gone dental and been satisfied? I think so. Maybe all my dentists were good employers, but their staff always seemed to be working efficiently and satisfactorily happy-like.

I think salaries might not be too far apart depending upon which selected field is chosen and based upon the professional duties.

I get the feeling that you seem to be pushing nursing for lack of any familiarity with many other career options. Those of us nursing fossil dinosaurs have seen much. I'm guessing that at your Mom's age she most likely is looking for a stable job that pays decent without crazy workplace demands.

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't catch what her work/education background has been. I figure her to be around 50 y/o so she's facing another good 15 years or more until retirement. That she has to change directions at this stage in her life which necessitates new educational preparation can be daunting. She has to make decisions herself and there could well be some situational depression that's lurking about.

Yes, there are numerous AN members here who entered nsg late or as second career-ers. Some have done well; some have struggled big-time. Not to preach to the choir but nsg is not like it used to be - it is tough and not for the weak-of-heart. And who knows what the future holds for the next 15 years for your Mom (health-wise).

Just know, I do admire you and give you lots of credit/kudos for trying to lookout for your Mom. I just think your pushing nursing is not the way to go.

jmho

Thank you.

I am only pushing nursing because it is the only feasible option where we live. I do not see her commuting to school due to her work schedule & the local community college doesn't offer a whole lot nor are there many opportunities for phlebotomists, dental hygienists or really anything other than CNAs, med aides, LVNs & RNs.

She currently has a bachelor's in biology.

I wouldnt be surprised if she had some type of depression. She has moved up so much while working for the state & she planned on staying in her current job until she retired. Now that that is all being threatened it must be very hard for her. She is divorced & single; she pays all her own bills, takes care of all the animals & my son.

I just wish she would be willing to locate because this town is so small & so any good job opportunity not in nursing is hard to come by & the competition is fierce.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions.

I don't want it to seem like I am making excuses or pushing my mother to be a nurse unnecessarily. If I could show you guys the newspaper ads for jobs in my town I feel it would explain a lot. Unless you work for the state, the school or are a nurse other opportunities are far & few between. That I why I suggested nursing for my mother. Obviously I talked to her about it once or twice but what she does with that is all up to her.

[amoLucia]

Although your local newspaper may not be advertising for other healthcare positions, I'm still not sure there may not be positions available. After all, how did all those staff CURRENTLY employed find their jobs? Even in my own community, I rarely see ads for other positions. But there are folk working in them. You have a local dentist and PMP. How did their staff get their positions?

For your Mom to pursue nsg, she'll have to pretty much start her educ journey from square one. Her credits, esp those science ones, may be too old to be accepted for transfer. She'll have to face all the rigors that any other new prospective nurse applicants must. And then there's the financial issues to consider.

And for that intimidating first position job search, regardless of her past career positions, she'll still be just one newbie nurse. Like a gazillion other newbies struggling for the same too few positions out there.

So, she doesn't really have any assurances that she'll make it in nsg. And I believe it would just be devastating if she were to meet some tremendous obstacle(s) along her pathway.

What if she winds up really DISAPPOINTED with nsg?!? She certainly doesn't sound like she has any great passion about it NOW. And I'm sure she has watched YOU as you've moved through your career.

You might be limiting your Mom's choices. She doesn't seem to want to go into nursing. At least NOT NOW. I said it before, but situational depression may just be slowing her down. You keep saying it's her decision, but yet you don't seem to be supportive of any other career EXCEPT nsg. I truly think you're underestimating your community's career/educational opportunities.

Again I will say that I don't know your community. Nor do I know your Mom. Maybe she needs some professional assist for depression. Maybe she's dragging along because she just hasn't found something that appeals to HER.

Good luck to you and to your Mom.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Although your local newspaper may not be advertising for other healthcare positions, I'm still not sure there may not be positions available. After all, how did all those staff CURRENTLY employed find their jobs? Even in my own community, I rarely see ads for other positions. But there are folk working in them. You have a local dentist and PMP. How did their staff get their positions?

For your Mom to pursue nsg, she'll have to pretty much start her educ journey from square one. Her credits, esp those science ones, may be too old to be accepted for transfer. She'll have to face all the rigors that any other new prospective nurse applicants must. And then there's the financial issues to consider.

And for that intimidating first position job search, regardless of her past career positions, she'll still be just one newbie nurse. Like a gazillion other newbies struggling for the same too few positions out there.

So, she doesn't really have any assurances that she'll make it in nsg. And I believe it would just be devastating if she were to meet some tremendous obstacle(s) along her pathway.

What if she winds up really DISAPPOINTED with nsg?!? She certainly doesn't sound like she has any great passion about it NOW. And I'm sure she has watched YOU as you've moved through your career.

You might be limiting your Mom's choices. She doesn't seem to want to go into nursing. At least NOT NOW. I said it before, but situational depression may just be slowing her down. You keep saying it's her decision, but yet you don't seem to be supportive of any other career EXCEPT nsg. I truly think you're underestimating your community's career/educational opportunities.

Again I will say that I don't know your community. Nor do I know your Mom. Maybe she needs some professional assist for depression. Maybe she's dragging along because she just hasn't found something that appeals to HER.

Good luck to you and to your Mom.

This (current) job didn't appeal to her, she took it because it pays the bills.

Yes, there are a few other healthcare careers in our town but the competition is fierce & most places want experience. I haven't seen one ad for a dental hygienist or anything that would pay her bills that didn't require at minimum, 2 years experience.

Like I said before she came to *me* about wanting to be a med aide (as a second job). I have only discussed this with her twice. I am not forcing anything on her. I don't bring it up unless she does. If she doesn't lose her job then obviously nursing isn't going to happen. But as another career, in our town she is very limited. She won't move & doesn't want to commute. So that leaves her with the only option of nursing.

I figured I would help her out a little & give her some suggestions. That is all. I could never, in my life, force my mother to do anything. She will do what she wants to do & what she thinks is right.

I just wanted to help her since she came to me for advice. The only jobs that take people with no experience is nursing. I don't know why, but that's how it is here. Also, people in those other healthcare jobs get them & don't leave them.

I wish I was lying about the jobs available in my town but it honestly the truth. There are many ads for RN & especially LVN positions. I saw 1 ad for a dental hygenist & they required the applicant have 2+ years experience. I wouldn't want my mom to go to school to then not be able to get a job. I know in this town she would be able to get a job as a nurse. Anything else is really just up in the air.

She has seen me in my career & knows I have always been able to get a job. Would

she succeed in nursing school? Yes. I believe she would but life can come up at any point & bite anyone in the butt. I was on track to go to a bridge program then I got pregnant with my first son.

She could have depression but I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me. But I don't think it would affect her to not go to school or find a different job. She knows what she has to do to support herself & will do anything at any cost. When she first divorced my father she worked as a housekeeper because it paid the bills. She knows she won't love every job she has, she just wants a job to pay the bills. Which she has for now, but I don't want her freaked out if she does lose her job. I want her to know there are options.