I am coming here because I hope that I might be able to get some guidance.
I am a 30something single mother to two young girls. I recently completed my LNA certification and have yet to find even a per diem job. It seems that everyone-nursing homes, hospitals and agencies-wants experience. I have opened up my job search to include working as a pharmacy tech at Rite Aid(I figure that the position is in the healthcare).
At this point I am looking at two career paths. The first would be nursing. I like medicine and promoting healthy living. I was thinking of beginning an LPN course in Fall 2010(RN has a 2-3 year wait list so forget it). The course I will enter is 2 years(summers off) and is an hour's drive from my house. I would not be able to go to school, work and take care of the kids. I just don't see how it could happen. I know that I would qualify for grants, but would they be enough to support my kids and I while I am in school? Could I get student loans as well?
I am also hesitant because it seems that no new grads can find a job these days. LNAs or LPNs, that is. Maybe RNs are in a better place? Also, few nurses appear to be happy with their chosen profession. It seems like everyone is afraid of being sued, overworked, screwed over, fighting with management....
On the flip side, being a 30something single mom, I know that I won't be the only one of my species in nursing school, kwim? Unlike my other career path which is....
Pharmacy school. A program in my area requires 57 credits of various classes but not a BA/BS. I could earn most of those credits online(within 2 years) and then start the accelerated PharmD program(34 months). I know I could make good money as a pharmacist but, again, are those jobs plentiful? And will I find camraderie in my class? Most pharmacists I know are male and tend to be younger...
What should I do?
I am a 30something single mother to two young girls. I recently completed my LNA certification and have yet to find even a per diem job. It seems that everyone-nursing homes, hospitals and agencies-wants experience. I have opened up my job search to include working as a pharmacy tech at Rite Aid(I figure that the position is in the healthcare).
At this point I am looking at two career paths. The first would be nursing. I like medicine and promoting healthy living. I was thinking of beginning an LPN course in Fall 2010(RN has a 2-3 year wait list so forget it). The course I will enter is 2 years(summers off) and is an hour's drive from my house. I would not be able to go to school, work and take care of the kids. I just don't see how it could happen. I know that I would qualify for grants, but would they be enough to support my kids and I while I am in school? Could I get student loans as well?
I am also hesitant because it seems that no new grads can find a job these days. LNAs or LPNs, that is. Maybe RNs are in a better place? Also, few nurses appear to be happy with their chosen profession. It seems like everyone is afraid of being sued, overworked, screwed over, fighting with management....
On the flip side, being a 30something single mom, I know that I won't be the only one of my species in nursing school, kwim? Unlike my other career path which is....
Pharmacy school. A program in my area requires 57 credits of various classes but not a BA/BS. I could earn most of those credits online(within 2 years) and then start the accelerated PharmD program(34 months). I know I could make good money as a pharmacist but, again, are those jobs plentiful? And will I find camraderie in my class? Most pharmacists I know are male and tend to be younger...
What should I do?
