Make a long wait shorter?

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Yes, this is very true with nursing. You can make bundles of money taking travel assignments - you might even get lucky enough to be assigned to Orlando!

Another community college degree to consider would be a physical therapy assistant or certified occupational therapy assistant. It seems like you want job security (which is wise), and you also want to make a difference with people. One of my 22 month old DD twins has received physical, occupational, and speech therapy since she was in the NICU. Her therapists and therapy assistants that have worked with her mean so much to her and to us as a family. They are really special people - just as special as all the nurses and doctors who worked so hard to save her life when she was born!

Just giving you another idea to consider.

But please keep in mind, before starting a travel nurse career, travel companies require a minimum of 1 year experience and as a traveler, once you set foot in your assigned hospital, you are given about 1 day of "orientation" if that, and then are expected to be able to function on your own. I've been nursing for 15 years and have done several travel assignments. Also keep in mind, nurses don't get weekends and holidays off. People get sick every day of the year. I'm sorry, I just don't advise people to go into nursing for "job stability". I think this is an area that your heart needs to be in for you to be good at what you do. There are already too many burnt out, uncaring nurses out there and while there are times I think I would give my "right arm" just to have a warm body available, I usually change my mind within 30 minutes of them walking on the floor

 

[kdm31091]

Well I was hoping for a sort of job where it's Mon-Fri 9 to 5. I just like that sort of schedule. I had thought about medical secretary, which would probably have that kinda schedule. Any other ideas?

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Well I was hoping for a sort of job where it's Mon-Fri 9 to 5. I just like that sort of schedule. I had thought about medical secretary, which would probably have that kinda schedule. Any other ideas?

Yes, a college student.

 

[kdm31091]

I realize not many jobs are Mon-Fri 9 to 5, but I'm still hoping there are a few choices in that regard.

 

[LucyStorm]

Also keep in mind, nurses don't get weekends and holidays off. People get sick every day of the year....... I think this is an area that your heart needs to be in for you to be good at what you do.

Absolutely agreed. And I have had a similar conversation with him in PM about not caring about who you are when I am in an emergency, but about what kind of nurse you are.

The rewards of nursing, in my opinion, outweigh the weekends and holidays. But then again, I am one of those rare Directors of Nursing who go to work on weekends and holidays because I love what I do. And I don't think I am above answering a call light or emptying a urinal or bedpan. It's about the caring and compassion for those in distress and the impact that the little things that I do can make on someone's life.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Absolutely agreed. And I have had a similar conversation with him in PM about not caring about who you are when I am in an emergency, but about what kind of nurse you are.

The rewards of nursing, in my opinion, outweigh the weekends and holidays. But then again, I am one of those rare Directors of Nursing who go to work on weekends and holidays because I love what I do. And I don't think I am above answering a call light or emptying a urinal or bedpan. It's about the caring and compassion for those in distress and the impact that the little things that I do can make on someone's life.

If I ever get my dream of living close to the Mouse, I'm looking you up. I'm not sure I would recognize my DON if I fell over her. Kudo's to you for keeping in touch with your staff and patients, something I think a lot of higher ups forget about.

 

[LucyStorm]

Thank you. It's also a great way to build staff retention if they see you are willing to do what they do and haven't forgotten what it is like on the floor.

You let me know if you move to Florida. I am always looking for great nurses who care about their patients.

 

[kdm31091]

Do any of the medical ideas (occupational assistant, massage therapists) at least have holidays off, or even best the 9-5 Mon-Fri format? If not, what sorts of careers do?

 

[Beth76]

Yes, a college student.

Actually my first semester I didn't have class until 11:40 MTWF, 1:40 on R.

 

[Beth76]

Do any of the medical ideas (occupational assistant, massage therapists) at least have holidays off, or even best the 9-5 Mon-Fri format? If not, what sorts of careers do?

A bank teller. Although you might have to work some days until 6 and some Saturdays. Believe me honey, if we knew what the perfect job we sure wouldn't be sharing that secret with anyone.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Do any of the medical ideas (occupational assistant, massage therapists) at least have holidays off, or even best the 9-5 Mon-Fri format? If not, what sorts of careers do?

Honestly???? I really can't think of any besides the business offices. Even our gift shop is open Sat and Sun. Even banks these days are open late and on Sat for at least half a day. Any job field you venture into will require sacrifice and dedication, willingness to work the sucky hours and days because you have to "pay your dues". If you are a massage therapist on your own, I suppose you could schedule whenever you want. My DH went through this after we first met. Has 2 Bachelors Degrees and an Associate Degree and had this "entitlement" issue that with all his fancy schooling, he was supposed to saunter out into the work field and have employers falling over themselves to offer him that M-F 9-5 job. After being let down a few times and getting quite the tongue lashing from me (I'm older than him and I can do that ) he discovered it was time and hard work that got him what he wanted. Even the Manager at McDonalds doesnt' work M-F 9-5 does he? One of my best friends is married to one and she would awful disappointed to find out he had been lying all this time.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Actually my first semester I didn't have class until 11:40 MTWF, 1:40 on R.

I scheduled classes around Days of Our Lives my 1st 2 years...even if it meant taking evening classes. Ahhhh, those were the days.

A bank teller. Although you might have to work some days until 6 and some Saturdays. Believe me honey, if we knew what the perfect job we sure wouldn't be sharing that secret with anyone.

Isn't that the truth!!!!!!!!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

My cousin is a medical assistant in TX, and she makes good money, she has been working for the same Dr. for a long time. I also have a friend in college for medical assisting, its about 18 months in school.

 

[kdm31091]

Well that's to be expected, there is no job that's perfect or has a perfect schedule.

Maybe I don't want weekends off. If I live in Florida, a trip to the parks on my days off would be better during the week. Less crowds.

But do most healthcare workers (nurse, massage, occupational assistant, w/e) even get a day off? It sounds stupid, but hey some people work 7 days.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

I'm happy then. This means I CAN make a steady enough salary as a realtor.

Realtors do not make a salary, as I've mentioned to you at least twice.

 

[kdm31091]

It was a misstatement. I know they don't make a salary. I meant a steady enough "amount of money from sales". Let's not nitpick on words though; in context, "salary" made sense.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

It was a misstatement. I know they don't make a salary. I meant a steady enough "amount of money from sales". Let's not nitpick on words though; in context, "salary" made sense.

No, it doesn't make sense. Besides, if you are thinking about becoming a Realtor or a nurse, you better nit pick words. In Real Estate, the contract is everything, know it, every word, or get yourself in trouble, In nursing, you better be precise when soeaking about patients medications and other important things where the slightest word change can literally mean life or death.

A salary is fixed compensation for pre-determined work. Realtors make their money on a 100% commission basis. You do not get paid unless you sell stuff. It's more than looking at houses and getting paid.

Furthermore, it's definately not a M-F 9-5 job.

 

[Dream]

Having a dream....at any age....is very important. Yours is a wonderful one! Exploring the health care industry is excellent advice, esp. if you plan to live in Florida where there is a large elderly population needing that health care. And, should your dream change at any point in time, you can use those health care skills just about anywhere.
You're asking good questions and moving in the right direction. For what its worth, I know a lot of 15 year old boys who don't think much beyond a video game screen! So good for you!!! Just remember not to lose 'today' while going full speed ahead towards 'tomorrow'.

 

[kdm31091]

No, it doesn't make sense. Besides, if you are thinking about becoming a Realtor or a nurse, you better nit pick words. In Real Estate, the contract is everything, know it, every word, or get yourself in trouble, In nursing, you better be precise when soeaking about patients medications and other important things where the slightest word change can literally mean life or death.

A salary is fixed compensation for pre-determined work. Realtors make their money on a 100% commission basis. You do not get paid unless you sell stuff. It's more than looking at houses and getting paid.

Furthermore, it's definately not a M-F 9-5 job.

Fine, by definition "salary" was wrong. Give me a break. Read the posts before I said that. People basically alluded that you can make a fairly steady amount of money as a Realtor. So I called that a salary. It was a mistake but not a grave one, so let it go. I wasn't trying to be professional. It was a misstatement.

Incidentally, I never suggested that Realtor was a M-F 9 to 5 job, I said I was looking for that sort of job, but never said Realtor was.

 

[LucyStorm]

I think we are getting tied up in semantics here. The idea is a career with a steady income which also is fulfilling. In an area that will make you happy.

Good luck to you whatever you choose, and don't let people step on your dream. It's yours after all, no one else's. Do what you need to to achieve it.

What would life be without dreams? In my opinion--boring. But then, like you, I developed a plan and am living my dream. Keep dreaming, keep planning, there are no limits.

Best of luck to you.