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I had originally received my AS in ECE wanting to be a teacher. But, I’ve have been working for the NYCDOE for 19 years as a substitute paraprofessional and at times I want to pull my hair! I look at these teachers and some of them want to loose it, one teacher said “it’s like being a nanny to a group of children, sometimes good and sometimes bad. “ I’ve seen a lot and experienced a lot good and a lot of times not so good! Then I said maybe be a science teacher since I love science, but, it’s not always the case! That is why I feel I’m driven to healthcare and nursing.
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Natasha’s Answer
Nursing is an amazing career; that one degree gives you countless career options! You can work for the Red Cross, work in manufacturing, work with the elderly, with babies, work at a middle school, do private home health care, the options are endless!
I'd recommend you get at least your Bachelors degree in nursing (BSN). That's not to say you can't get your LPN (licensed practicing nurse) first if you choose, but most places that will pay their nurses higher than average will require at least a BSN. After that, you can decide if you want to get an advanced degree or if the grueling four years for your BSN is as far as you want to go. If you want to get an advanced degree three common options are:
- Getting your Masters in a specialty (I have an MSN in Nursing Education but there are other options)
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
- or Nurse Practitioner license. If you were to get your NP you can specialize even further from there and that would also play a role in your salary.
These are just a few common options, the nursing field has many branches to it that you can work from. If you ever have any other questions, you know where to go!
As a current nurse, I can tell you that you won't be at a huge disadvantage for going to a state school vs some fancy private nursing school when it comes time to get a job. You of course want to pick the best option you have, but just don't let that stress you out too bad because no matter what school you go to, we all take the same test at the end (that'd be the dreaded NCLEX).
Good luck! Be sure to come back with any more questions!
I'd recommend you get at least your Bachelors degree in nursing (BSN). That's not to say you can't get your LPN (licensed practicing nurse) first if you choose, but most places that will pay their nurses higher than average will require at least a BSN. After that, you can decide if you want to get an advanced degree or if the grueling four years for your BSN is as far as you want to go. If you want to get an advanced degree three common options are:
- Getting your Masters in a specialty (I have an MSN in Nursing Education but there are other options)
- CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
- or Nurse Practitioner license. If you were to get your NP you can specialize even further from there and that would also play a role in your salary.
These are just a few common options, the nursing field has many branches to it that you can work from. If you ever have any other questions, you know where to go!
As a current nurse, I can tell you that you won't be at a huge disadvantage for going to a state school vs some fancy private nursing school when it comes time to get a job. You of course want to pick the best option you have, but just don't let that stress you out too bad because no matter what school you go to, we all take the same test at the end (that'd be the dreaded NCLEX).
Good luck! Be sure to come back with any more questions!
Hi 👋 Natasha,
Thank you 🙏 so very much for your guidance and support, it means 😢 so much to me! You’re an inspiration and mentor to me!
Donna M
Natasha, I’m so overwhelmed with negative thoughts feeling I can’t do this! I mentioned I have to begin studying for the TEAS exam! I have all the materials I need, but, scared to do it! I want to study for the next 4-5 months (they say you only need 6 weeks to study) and pass the first time as to rushing to comprehend, understand, and fail!
Donna M
Natasha, you are definitely a friend to me and in my prayers and thoughts always and forever ♾️! Any guidance you can share from my last answer would be greatly appreciated! I’ll definitely keep you updated on my progress and hope I can come to you at anytime for continued guidance, inspiration, mentorship, and support! 🫶
Donna M
I'm so glad my response helped! Now it's time to STOP:
Step back
Take inventory of the situation
Observe what you know to be true (not what you think might/might not happen)
Plan a way forward.
I can ABSOLUTELY empathize with the anxiety you're feeling! I was anxious too before taking my NCLEX. However, like with most big decisions in life if you wait 'til you're ready, you'll never be ready! It would also be valuable to talk to students who have taken the test already to get their take on it as well as a counselor about test anxiety, combine this knowledge and let it help guide you. I cannot and am not diagnosing you with any condition, but it sounds like some conversations about anxiety and "not letting great get in the way of good" might help calm your nerves so you can move forward.
Natasha Rieder
Hi 👋 Natasha,
Oh thank you 🙏 again for getting back to me; I’m so grateful and thankful 🥹 to you again for your guidance and support and definitely taking it in and looking at things in a positive light! 🫶😊
Donna M
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Donna !
I read your other question, too, and I think maybe I can share some advice for your particular situation. I can tell you that these things usually work themselves out, but it will be in due time when you see it happen. But you will.
I gather that you have work right now, so that is good. Working for the NYCDOE is a huge accomplishment but I can understand that 19 years at one place can cause a need for change and you must go with your instincts. It's hard when you do not have a support system that you're used to and social capacities do change as we get older for some reason. You are in an adjustment period right now so things seem unreachable, but there is a way to move forward, rest assured.
After reading about your concerns, I had the idea to suggest maybe that you should look into becoming an EMT. People in their 60's do it, so don't worry about your age. It's a certificate program and would not have the same requirements as nursing nor would the employment barriers be there. At the same time, you can be a Home Health Aid, working one on one with patients in their home. The training for the Emergency Medical Technician is only 150 to 180 hours in duration in New York City. The training to become a Home Health Aid is between 75 to 180 hours in duration, so these are careers that you won't have to go back to college for, saving the expense and still be able to utilize your need to care for people.
Contrary to what people may think, as we become older, we've gained a strong sense of independence and can work on our own with little supervision. This is where you may be finding yourself with your need to transition to a new career. Our intuition is usually almost always right. Transitioning to a career for which the training doesn't take a long time to do, light weight in comprehension and results oriented (there are a lot of jobs for Home Health Aids and EMTS in New York City, NY !) so now is the time to definitely make a choice. You should remember all the years put in at your education career and look towards something that will have a different environment. The thought of going into a hectic hospital environment as a nurse in NYC just may be something to reconsider. It's competitive, filled with liabilities and millions of guidelines, and strict, and now it's time for you to use your helping skills in a different way.
These are just two suggestions that may be doable because they do not take long to be trained for and you can be a medical provider as a transitional career. Look into it and make a decision when you are ready.
I wish you all the best moving forward! You definitely can do it !
I read your other question, too, and I think maybe I can share some advice for your particular situation. I can tell you that these things usually work themselves out, but it will be in due time when you see it happen. But you will.
I gather that you have work right now, so that is good. Working for the NYCDOE is a huge accomplishment but I can understand that 19 years at one place can cause a need for change and you must go with your instincts. It's hard when you do not have a support system that you're used to and social capacities do change as we get older for some reason. You are in an adjustment period right now so things seem unreachable, but there is a way to move forward, rest assured.
After reading about your concerns, I had the idea to suggest maybe that you should look into becoming an EMT. People in their 60's do it, so don't worry about your age. It's a certificate program and would not have the same requirements as nursing nor would the employment barriers be there. At the same time, you can be a Home Health Aid, working one on one with patients in their home. The training for the Emergency Medical Technician is only 150 to 180 hours in duration in New York City. The training to become a Home Health Aid is between 75 to 180 hours in duration, so these are careers that you won't have to go back to college for, saving the expense and still be able to utilize your need to care for people.
Contrary to what people may think, as we become older, we've gained a strong sense of independence and can work on our own with little supervision. This is where you may be finding yourself with your need to transition to a new career. Our intuition is usually almost always right. Transitioning to a career for which the training doesn't take a long time to do, light weight in comprehension and results oriented (there are a lot of jobs for Home Health Aids and EMTS in New York City, NY !) so now is the time to definitely make a choice. You should remember all the years put in at your education career and look towards something that will have a different environment. The thought of going into a hectic hospital environment as a nurse in NYC just may be something to reconsider. It's competitive, filled with liabilities and millions of guidelines, and strict, and now it's time for you to use your helping skills in a different way.
These are just two suggestions that may be doable because they do not take long to be trained for and you can be a medical provider as a transitional career. Look into it and make a decision when you are ready.
I wish you all the best moving forward! You definitely can do it !
I appreciate your support, Michelle
Donna M
Thank you 🙏 Michelle for your advice and support!
Donna M
You are very welcome, Donna ! Have an awesome day !
Michelle M.
Updated
Melody’s Answer
Hi Donna,
You need to make some decisions based on your first posted question and this one. There will be struggles in both areas. There may not be a clear decision, but make a step in the direction that most resonates with your future goals. Listen to your heart and seek additional advice as you move along. It becomes clearer, hopefully, as you make small decisions along the way. You could spend a lifetime trying to contemplate all the twists and turns; however, clarity often comes with movement. You could equally find another option that you have not thought about at this time. You could get further inspiration by googling a title like "How to Make the Choice to Change Careers". Again, there is advice plenty out here, but you still will need to make some decisions. Best wishes for your future trek.
You need to make some decisions based on your first posted question and this one. There will be struggles in both areas. There may not be a clear decision, but make a step in the direction that most resonates with your future goals. Listen to your heart and seek additional advice as you move along. It becomes clearer, hopefully, as you make small decisions along the way. You could spend a lifetime trying to contemplate all the twists and turns; however, clarity often comes with movement. You could equally find another option that you have not thought about at this time. You could get further inspiration by googling a title like "How to Make the Choice to Change Careers". Again, there is advice plenty out here, but you still will need to make some decisions. Best wishes for your future trek.
Oh thank you 🙏 Melody, your guidance and support means so much to me! I’m definitely going to look into this! 🫶
Donna M
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