Question for the nurses out there.

[DLgal]

if you end up doing this program AND doing that job with the school district for a period of time it could work to your advantage.

we've never used respite services but have encountered several asd families who use it on a regular basis, and by and large if they manage to engage a respite worker who also has a professional background and familiarity with carrying out an existing behavioral plan then that respite worker is their first choice (and quickly becomes known w/in the local asd community by word of mouth). in our neck of the woods this is a highly desirable and in demand combination.

This is why I am thinking about doing both things. The school job would be part time as well, allowing me to pick up caregiving shifts around it. My kids are both autistic but they are on the higher functioning end of the spectrum, although that doesn't mean we don't have challenges. I just mean that we have never qualified for respite care services ourselves, but I completely understand the need for good respite caregivers for special needs children and I know how important having someone competent is. It's so hard to leave your special needs kids with other people.

I also need to become serious about becoming Spanish language fluent. I am about 50% fluent but living in So Cal, it's practically necessary these days.

 

[tazdev3225]

My daughter graduated from our Community College and then went to nursing school. She graduated in September 2017 and could not find a job anywhere until late December. That job was a rehab/nursing facility and she only got that because she knew someone. She was told that hospitals here will not even look at an applicant without a BSN. We are in Philadelphia. She is in school and will have the BSN by the end of the summer. My granddaughter was in the hospital last week and the nurses there were all of the same opinion - get the BSN if you want to work at a hospital.

My DIL has an LPN and she can find jobs, usually in drs. offices or nursing homes, but they are low paying and usually lack benefits.

 

[Disney Doll]

I am a diploma RN who then went on to get a BSN. However, I got my diploma/BSN back in the 80s. Diploma was more common back then and the BSN was pretty impressive.

Nowadays, BSN is pretty much entry level for hospital nursing and I believe homecare as well. Perhaps other avenues such as a doctors office might be amenable to an RN with an Associates. I think it’s somewhat “geographical” in nature. I live about an hour or so north of NYC and my area is all about degrees and education and special certifications.

If money and benefits aren’t a concern and you’re looking for something to do as the kids grow up, then a doctors office might be an alternative, with the hours that work for you.

My only other thought is that for most RNs, some hospital experience is usually considered the “foundation” of being an RN. It might be tough to try and get a job having been in school and never technically cared for a patient. That’s when you’d have to more play up your personal situation and your “care” of your special needs kiddos. Or you might want to consider a role with a special needs agency or program. Sometimes if places “require” a BSN, if you can no in there pretty well prepared based on other experience, that could help.

 

[momz]

I am a professor of nursing at an urban university that is associated with a magnet teaching hospital and major medical school. (Having faced some medical issues, I am truly blessed to have this teaching opportunity. I had to step away from my nurse practitioner practice because of my health).

With the goals you discussed in the original post, I am wondering if the RN is the correct route for you. It is not easy work, many RNs leave their bedside nursing positions before they reach the age you are now. As nurses age, they move into case management, education, administration and the like.

But, if you are not interested in hospital bedside nursing, you might consider the medical assistant route. It is quicker to get through and much less demanding of your time and your physical ability as you age. Also, it will set you up for either front office or back office positions in a medical office setting, or school nursing as well. I've also seen MAs employed at extended care facilities, although that's more of a bedside nursing role. As an MA, your pay will be less, but so will your responsibilities. You won't be responsible for the more intimate care that hospital/bedside nurses provide which is what becomes hard to maintain as we nurses age.

 

[DebbieB]

I work for a major insurance company and we have RN’s working in our claim department. I know they follow Workers Comp claims, contact the claimant and follow their treatment. One left last year for a job with a health plan in their fraud detection department. So there are jobs outside hospitals.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I am considering going to school to become an RN. I am not considering a BSN to start with, just a 2 year ASN degree. I will be somewhere between 40-42 years old when I begin. I have been a SAHM for 14 years and want a career that I can start in the next few years once my kids are older/ more independent. I want something that is a portable career that I can do no matter where we live and that is a high demand job.

My question is this: are there any types of jobs open to entry level RNs that do NOT require working in a hospital? I am fairly sure I would not do well with 12 hour shifts and working overnights is pretty much out of the question due to migraines and the need to keep a consistent sleep routine (lack of sleep or poor sleep is my major trigger). It seems like most nurses go straight to hospitals post graduation, but are there other options?

I am trying to determine the feasibility of this as a career for me. I am also considering the CNA/CHHA path so that I can work more flexible hours as an in home caregiver or at an assisted living facility, with the possibility of pursuing the RN later if I want to.

My sister (55) recently went to nursing school after being a homemaker for years. She's been working for 3 years as a nurse-family practice for 3 years and recently switched to an obgyn office. Never worked in a hospital. She loves it. She got the two year degree. She works 4 days a week, fridays off.

 

[DLgal]

My sister (55) recently went to nursing school after being a homemaker for years. She's been working for 3 years as a nurse-family practice for 3 years and recently switched to an obgyn office. Never worked in a hospital. She loves it. She got the two year degree. She works 4 days a week, fridays off.

That is my dream outcome. LOL. Thanks for sharing!