40yr old guy needs advice on STNA

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Hello all. I just registered here because I need advice from folks who may be in the know.

Im 40yrs old, just lost my job at GE, where I worked the past 14 years. I have alot of industrial maintenance, machine mechanic experience, but there just arent any manufacturing jobs left. At least not in the NE Ohio area.

Ive been out of work nearly 22 months, and Im giving up.

Ive been considering taking the STNA classes offered locally, and wonder if theres a place for me in this field?

I'd hate to waste the time, although its only a short course, and not be able to get work.

I hear that guys may be a wanted item, but thats coming from the school...

And if I do go forward with this plan, what kind of money can I expect to make? I understand Im never going to make the kind of money I made at GE in maintenance, but need to know if I can survive and feed my family.

Also, I considered that if I did become a STNA, that maybe I would continue my education and move toward becoming a X-ray/MRI/Nuk Tech. Thats where I see myself.

Im kind of a big guy at 6'1 and 300+ lbs, and kind of intimidating, but have always found little kids and old people love me...:D

I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Tim

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Specializes in Psych/med surg.

There are a lot of guys trying to get in the nursing program at my school. We are required to take the nursing aide classes as pre-reqs for the nursing program. When we did our clinicals at the nursing home I realized that being a nurses aide is very physical and requires a lot of strength to move people. I think you would do great and it wouldn't be so hard for you to move people that are immobile. Go for it, it is refreshing to see guys come into this field.

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hey,

I am an STNA. Im a big guy too and I think that if your approach is gentle and kind then it won't be an issue. But it is a known fact that some women only want female aides and that is their right. If you sense they are uncomfortable or non complient I always ask if they would prefer a female aide. If you work in a place where theres a lot of teamwork then there shouldnt be a problem. As far as money, it really varies on shifts and everything. I make 11.68 and hour and since I work thirds I get an extra dollar an hour. I have also done home care and that was 10 no matter the shift. Hope it helps!

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

Welcome aboard! It's very refreshing to see men go into this field, some of the best aides and nurses I've worked with have been male. As far as pay, I'm not sure where in Ohio you are, but in Cleveland it ranges from 10/hr to 15/hr.........but many places offer to pay for schooling, which is a great help. I wish you the best :)

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I'm sorry to hear your plight Grumpy. Sadly, the manufacturing jobs are all leaving our state and many people are feeling the pain. I don't know what your educational background is, or your feelings/desire/financial ability to go back to school are, but I believe it would be tough to support say a family of 4 on STNA wages.

I got out of the military and went to school for my RN associate degree. Two years of school and $20k later and I have my degree making $27 an hour (base of $24). I also live in Northeast Ohio, Canton area to be precise. Nursing is not for everyone, there are some tough general education courses to do and I've seen many a person crying after a particularly hard week and a course failed by less than 1%. However, at the end of the day, I find this profession to be very rewarding and enjoyable with so many different paths to personal fulfillment, that I find myself recommending it to everyone looking for a career change. In my previous career, I was a gas turbine mechanic working on jet engines, electrical generation, hvac, hydraulic, pneumatic and propulsion systems in the Navy.

You could always work as an STNA while attending school, but it can be rough. STNA's get a lot of the more labor intensive work for the least amount of pay in the healthcare field, while RN's tend to be responsible for more of the overall picture stuff, assessments, meds, critical thinking aspects of patient care. This is by no means a slight to Nurse Aides, they truly can make a shift run smoother and provide another set of eyes on the patient and bring to the nurses attention things they may have missed on a busy shift. RN's also end up doing a share of the back-breaking labor too, it just seems to fall on the aides more often.

BTW, school doesn't have to be as expensive as it was for me, I just wanted to get into and through a program quickly and took out student loans to pay for it. If you have any specific questions related to local RN programs, job outlook, hiring, career paths, loans/grants for your situation or what have you, feel free to ask or PM me. I just went through this process and graduated in May 2009 so its still fresh in my mind. Good luck to you sir.

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Grumpy,

Your story is almost exactly like mine. I turn 40 in another month, I've been an electrician for the last 16 years but I cannot find work, and I've seriously considering STNA and PCA training oh, and I'm a big guy too (actually somewhat larger than you).

I'm very close to taking STNA and PCA training locally at Great Oaks (a local vocational program). I view it is a 'first step' toward RN or LPN. I figure that it's a way to get my feet in to the health field and decide if this is something that I can see doing as a career. Also it seems that in order to get into many RN or LPN programs it helps to already be certified in STNA. And finally, I hope to work someplace that offers tuition reimbursement.

I will definitely monitor this post for the advice that you get. Please post back what you end up doing, as I also am interested.

Good luck,

Bear

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Working as an STNA is a very rewarding job/career. You have to a sense of urgency when working your pt. You also have to be the eyes in ears for your pt and nurses. The pay is not that great here in Ohio, but the end result is worth it - when you no that you made a difference in someone life. Working as an STNA is also a great first step if you really wont to work as an x ray tech, etc. As you will learn bed side manners and other critical skills that can transfer over into that position. I will check out local hospitals as most of them provide training in house for PCT (patient care tech) not STNA but more of adance STNA for hosptial settings. Also if you worked in a hospitals they will pay most of your education cost to further your education, after agreeing to work 1-2 yrs after you complete your program.

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I am a 27 year old male that has a degree in computer networking and i ended up losing my job at a local factory myself. I know males may be the minority but honestly males therefore may have a slight advantage in the field then women. I start Hondros in April and i am looking forward to the challenge for sure!

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In Columbus, they start at $10/hr plus shift differential for those with no prior experience.

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NavyVet, if you don't mind me asking, where did you graduate from?

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P.S. if you are just looking for quick/easy money, just become a server. I work at Bob Evans, which is like the lowest paying server job out there, and I still make $17-$18 per hour and there are always shifts to pick up... last week I worked 55 hours. They offer benefits to part-time employees too that are pretty good.

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).
P.S. if you are just looking for quick/easy money, just become a server. I work at Bob Evans, which is like the lowest paying server job out there, and I still make $17-$18 per hour and there are always shifts to pick up... last week I worked 55 hours. They offer benefits to part-time employees too that are pretty good.

And Bob Evans has amazing pancakes lol.

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