Career Change possibility!

[Guest guest]

Leanne,

If you are interested in a career in nursing - go for it. I wish you well.

Once you have a nursing qualification there are lots of different areas of

nursing that you can work in.

I'm in the UK, and qualified as a State Registered Nurse back in 1981 (was

it really all those years ago?!!). I worked in general medicine, ICU and

thoracic surgery before taking some time out when the kids were small. Went back

to elderly care, and, in 1997 moved into paediatrics where i worked for 2 years

before taking a Diploma in Children's Nursing. I now work on a kids medical

ward.

My husband qualified as a nurse 7 years ago, after working for 17 years as

an accountant. He was made redundant and re-trained. He now works in adult ICU.

So, all the best, and please let us know how you get on.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Last night at the ER the Nurse who has taken care of me many times

asked when I planned to jump ship - He wants to see me else where then

the ER.

I had planned on going back for my masters in Education. Well with

all of the schools running into problems there aren't many jobs out

there. My sub has taken my job and unless someone leaves I have no

job for next year.

I talked with my mom. Pierceton is planning on paying for my EMT

training. Annie one of the EMTs told me to think about nursing.

I would only have to take three semester instead of four the fourth is

filled with classes I took for my degree. My mom told me to go for

it. I figure I have had enough experiance with this I want to help

others rather then being the patient.

What do you think?

[Guest guest]

Hi !

I was an ENT / Firefighter for 10 or so years.....this was before I got sick

with

pancreas problems.....

I know that for me, there is no way that I could be an EMT and / or Firefighter

at this

time. It is too physical, too mentally demanding, too intrusive and not open to

last

minute no-shows due to personal illness.

I also went into nursing school with the same ideas that you mentioned...that it

would be shorter due to previous college degrees and time served on the rescue

squad (sounds like a prison sentence doesn't it? and in some ways it was).

Again, it

is very, very mentally and physically demanding....I didn't make it through, but

that is

because of me personally, not that I do not think that you can do it.

I think that if you want to do nursing...that it is a wonderful way to use your

past

education and current knowledge / circumstances to the best of your community.

You will have an unique view and appreciation of the sickness / wellness aspect

of

life. In addition, once you graduate the opportunities that will be available

to you are

basically endless....you can work as much or little as you want in so many

different

aspects of health care...some that you may not even be aware of!

Anyways....whatever you choose, I hope you do well and that you end up enjoying

it.

Both aspects of your career change are very exciting!

Laurie

[Guest guest]

This is something that have been thinking about. Teaching jobs are

scarce here. I have been out for the year and found that they are

keeping my sub on next year- since things have been up in the Air

with my Pancreas. I am getting info from the college this week and

hope to start classes next spring. I want to help others. I have

seen plently in the last 16 years. A close friend of mine died last

week from ALS. I took care of a grandfather with Althemiers. Me

with Crohns, Chronic Pancreatis and my father with Diabetes and

Cancer.

I think I can do this!

Leanne

> Leanne,

>

> If you are interested in a career in nursing - go for it. I wish

you well.

> Once you have a nursing qualification there are lots of different

areas of

> nursing that you can work in.

>

> I'm in the UK, and qualified as a State Registered Nurse back in

1981 (was

> it really all those years ago?!!). I worked in general medicine,

ICU and

> thoracic surgery before taking some time out when the kids were

small. Went back

> to elderly care, and, in 1997 moved into paediatrics where i

worked for 2 years

> before taking a Diploma in Children's Nursing. I now work on a

kids medical

> ward.

>

> My husband qualified as a nurse 7 years ago, after working for 17

years as

> an accountant. He was made redundant and re-trained. He now works

in adult ICU.

>

> So, all the best, and please let us know how you get on.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Leanne,

You wrote, " Annie one of the EMTs told me to think about nursing. My

Mom told me to go for it. I figure I have had enough experience with

this I want to help others rather then being the patient. What do you

think? "

You certainly had your fair share of clinicals already. You should get

an automatic A+ for the course in GI Nursing. I actually took a

continuing education course on pancreatitis through Nursing Spectrum.

I think it is wonderful that you have received such support from your

mother. That is very important. I absolutely love nursing. I graduated

in 1980 and have worked with neonates to geriatrics and in between. I

have done community health, home health, pediatric hospice, health

clinics, ICU, ER, and taught. I loved every job I had. It is a career

that can take you across the globe, allow you to work in almost any

industry there is, and with any age group. The fact that you already

have a degree, and that it is in education, will put you in a very

marketable position.

I know there are technical school training opportunities for persons

on disability, are there also continuing education opportunities that

may pay for someone to return to school and obtain a university

degree?

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, Pancreatitis Association International

5th Annual Symposium on Pancreatitis: September 16 & 17, 2005