Considering going back to school

[sbpebbles]

So I have not worked for some time now and I have 2 children with special needs (one has ADHD and learning disabilities and the other has pervasive developmental disorder which was just diagnosed) so I'm realizing more and more that right now might not be the best time for me to get a job..So I'm considering going back to school..it seems health care is the only field that is going anywhere so I'm considering going that route..but i need help deciding what exactly to study or become...Everyone always tells me I'm so good with computers, as far as navigating around websites and helping ppl figure things out by searches and things of that nature, and I love customer service(in previous jobs I was always told by supervisors that they received compliments about me from customers/guests) so i'm not exactly sure where that points to...can anyone give me some recommendations? what's your experience in a certain field of study? I also heard that getting an actual job in health care is harder...I want to be able to take online classes so I can be home with the kids but am i crazy to try to take this on right now? thanks!

 

[I Believe In Magic]

I am a single mom with 3 great kids, one is in college himself. I work 2 jobs and tomorrow is my first day at school. I am taking 7 credit hours and I will be going 2 nights a week for 4 hours. I feel crazy too, because I have been doing it for so long, but it is really rewarding. I say try it and if it doesn't work it is only about a 15 week commitment. You might really like it and be able to fit it in with everything else. Good luck to you!

 

[aaarcher86]

I can't think of the exact degree name but possibly something in relation to medical administration?

You could work in a hospital setting, like the people who check you into the hospital or at a doctors office or something.

 

[smileycrissy]

I say go for it. Don't be afraid to go back to school. I'm hoping to go back & finish my degree as well. I keep making excuses but I'm determined to go back. Currently, DF & I've re-located to FL with no job, so the money we've saved we're using to live by. After we've both found jobs I am hoping to check out a nearby school. I'm also hoping to do online schooling as well. Just make sure the degree is from an accredited college. I think some people were running into problems with getting degrees that weren't being recognized (which stinks).

I think healthcare is a good step to take but try to research what jobs seem to be in demand in your area. I know some cities are considered 'tech cities', and it seems like healthcare is big out here in FL. I would suggest taking a few basic classes to see what field really peeks your interest.

Good luck & stay positive!

 

[RNlovesWDW]

I have a 6 year old and work full time. I am currently in my third semester of grad school. The classes are primarily online but since I am a Nursing Major, there are some clinicals that I need to complete each semester. Going back to school to obtain a Masters in Nursing has been challenging but worth every minute. I feel like I am doing something for me but also something that will benefit my family in the long run.

I have been a nurse for almost ten years and I have to say going to nursing school was one of the best decisions I ever made. If you are considering the healthcare field, give nursing some thought. It is a very stable profession in which you can make a good income and help others.

Good Luck to you!!

 

[JayT]

Do you have any friends or family in any of the fields you're interested in? Maybe you could 'job shadow' for a day?

I'm a single mom to a son with PDD-NOS, and work full time. I just started going back to school after not going for about 10 years. I'm taking 9 credit hours (2 online courses, 1 classroom). And I just got a puppy I think I'm crazy sometimes! You can do it! Most degree programs you have to take basic pre-requisite classes like english and math, so you could always just take those to get started without having to really decide your degree.

 

[sbpebbles]

Do you have any friends or family in any of the fields you're interested in? Maybe you could 'job shadow' for a day?

I'm a single mom to a son with PDD-NOS, and work full time. I just started going back to school after not going for about 10 years. I'm taking 9 credit hours (2 online courses, 1 classroom). And I just got a puppy I think I'm crazy sometimes! You can do it! Most degree programs you have to take basic pre-requisite classes like english and math, so you could always just take those to get started without having to really decide your degree.

sadly i do not have anyone i really know in those fields..most ppl here work in the factory so right now the majority are laid off...my son was just diagnosed today with PDD-NOS so I'm not sure what is all involved with his treatments yet, we have to go for a MRI and hearing test yet...Will i have to take those basic core classes again or can I test out of them?

 

[JayT]

I think you can take a test, called a CLEPT test I think. You do have to pay a fee, but if you pass I think you get the full credit. (I've never done it though so I'm not sure what's all involved) If you've gone to any college before they should be able to transfer your transcript and records so you wouldn't have to take the classes again, but again you'd probably have to check, each college may be different.

My son has been getting special ed help from the board of education in my town. They have been phenomenal. He was too old for birth to three, but I had the Board of Ed do an evaluation to see if he'd qualify for special services. He received speech and language therapy, 1x1 teacher attention, as well as classroom learning with other kids that are in the same boat. Right now he's in a 'transitional kindergarten' so he still gets special services as needed. It can be tough. He has mostly good days and some bad days. But it will get easier!

 

[sbpebbles]

I think you can take a test, called a CLEPT test I think. You do have to pay a fee, but if you pass I think you get the full credit. (I've never done it though so I'm not sure what's all involved) If you've gone to any college before they should be able to transfer your transcript and records so you wouldn't have to take the classes again, but again you'd probably have to check, each college may be different.

My son has been getting special ed help from the board of education in my town. They have been phenomenal. He was too old for birth to three, but I had the Board of Ed do an evaluation to see if he'd qualify for special services. He received speech and language therapy, 1x1 teacher attention, as well as classroom learning with other kids that are in the same boat. Right now he's in a 'transitional kindergarten' so he still gets special services as needed. It can be tough. He has mostly good days and some bad days. But it will get easier!

thanks i'll look into that..

also thanks for letting me know others are in my situation as far as the PDD-NOS, this is a new ball game for us and we are lucky my son is only 2 so we have birth to 3 to work with..

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Go for it! I just started back to school this semester to complete my teaching certification. I was working in a school, but the salary wasn't wonderful and certainly didn't cover childcare for my 3 children, so I quit my job (reluctantly) and went back to school.

I work part-time at our local community college, and can tell you that is an excellent place for you to start. Community colleges are affordable, offer many different programs and usually offer career counseling. Our school has computerized tests you can take to help you narrow your search to a few occupations that may best suit you.

One program that is in demand is Medical Coding. You work with medical offices to code all their patients for insurance companies. It's a growing field and the demand gets greater as the population grows.

Contact your community college and ask to just meet with an admissions officer to get an idea of what programs are offered and how long it will take you to complete a program.

Also, a word of caution - please be very careful if you start looking into trade schools/business schools. They are often VERY expensive and not always accredited. You can usually get the same programs at a community college for a fraction of the cost - and then your credits would transfer to a 4-year school if you wish to continue your education.

Good luck! It's a big decision and very hard for me to just bite the bullet and do it. You have some time before classes start in January - get all your ducks in a row and start this winter!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I am starting back to school this winter for a paralegal diploma at a local community college. I already have an associates degree so I only have to go 3 semesters. I am so excited and so nervous about how I'm going to balance everything with the kids! Just remember that alot of adults are doing this right now.

I had originally thought about the healthcare field because of how many jobs there are, but in the end I had to go with what I would enjoy doing and I would not like the healthcare field. The community college I am going to has a program called jobsfirst (I'm in NC) that offers programs specifically designed to train out-of-work adults for specific jobs. You may want to see if yours offers something like that.

You could look at medical administration or medical coding.

 

[Tikitoi]

So I have not worked for some time now and I have 2 children with special needs (one has ADHD and learning disabilities and the other has pervasive developmental disorder which was just diagnosed) so I'm realizing more and more that right now might not be the best time for me to get a job..So I'm considering going back to school..it seems health care is the only field that is going anywhere so I'm considering going that route..but i need help deciding what exactly to study or become...Everyone always tells me I'm so good with computers, as far as navigating around websites and helping ppl figure things out by searches and things of that nature, and I love customer service(in previous jobs I was always told by supervisors that they received compliments about me from customers/guests) so i'm not exactly sure where that points to...can anyone give me some recommendations? what's your experience in a certain field of study? I also heard that getting an actual job in health care is harder...I want to be able to take online classes so I can be home with the kids but am i crazy to try to take this on right now? thanks!

I'm in pretty much the same situation, in that I am back in school as of this fall. Even though it is online. But it still is as much work as we are required to be on the computer everyday. But I am still enjoying it.

I also wanted to mention that since you like Customer Service work that there are a lot of companies where you can work for and work from your home. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[mhsjax]

sadly i do not have anyone i really know in those fields..most ppl here work in the factory so right now the majority are laid off...my son was just diagnosed today with PDD-NOS so I'm not sure what is all involved with his treatments yet, we have to go for a MRI and hearing test yet...Will i have to take those basic core classes again or can I test out of them?

I am also a SAHM. My kids have no issues for me to deal with. I say good for you considering it. I have a hard time getting off my lazy duff, now you have inspired me.

One thing I have been looking at, (I worked in the medical field for 15 years prior to kids) is called Health Information Management. You are in the medical field but not dealing with patients. It has to do with medical records and insurance and the business end of hospitals and Dr's offices. It has a lot of computer work. It would be more 9-5 than nursing, but then again, you maybe looking for a flexible schedule. I like 9-5 monday thru Friday. Holidays off. Anyway, check that out and see if it is something, you could take this a lot of different ways and it seems that you can advance with different training.

 

[eliza61]

I am also a SAHM. My kids have no issues for me to deal with. I say good for you considering it. I have a hard time getting off my lazy duff, now you have inspired me.
One thing I have been looking at, (I worked in the medical field for 15 years prior to kids) is called Health Information Management. You are in the medical field but not dealing with patients. It has to do with medical records and insurance and the business end of hospitals and Dr's offices. It has a lot of computer work. It would be more 9-5 than nursing, but then again, you maybe looking for a flexible schedule. I like 9-5 monday thru Friday. Holidays off. Anyway, check that out and see if it is something, you could take this a lot of different ways and it seems that you can advance with different training.

mhsjax, you sound like me but I found that once I actually started it became a little easier.

Op,
my son is also learning disabled but he;s older so I don't have the childcare issues you do. I'm currently working but decided to go back to school and explore my passion, which is for baking. I always wanted to own a bakery/coffee house so now that I'm 50 I'm looking as it as a possible career after I retire.
I start school next Wednesday.