time for a career change

[justashooter 430]

having spent the majority of my life in manufacturing engineering specialising in the various aspects of steel fabrication, foundry, and precision machining process and inspection, i have decided it is time for a change. working in the interest of the production and evaluation/correction of objects has lost it's interest. managing a group of chinese engineers in such work was rewarding, but reductions in orders due to the failing economy has eliminated that option and left me with little else of interest in the work. there is a finite basis for learning in the field, so it's time to grow.

i have become interested in health care in recent years, having experienced some issues of that nature on a personal basis that were outside the norm. my own study and discussion with professionals in the field indicates that there is a need for understanding that is not being met, so i guess it's time to step up to the plate. i have decided to become an RN, then probably a nurse practitioner.

i have located a 2 year clinical program and have enrolled, with the intention of beginning coursework in january. i have left the current job and am taking the next few months to tidy up things around the farmhouse that i had left for 4-5 years to it's own devises. painting clapboard and cutting down trees that have grown through the porches and window frames and re-siding the barn are long overdue.

maybe the roof should get new tin, but it's 12-12 and 3 stories, so i guess i should hire that one out. moving the oil burner out to the barn and installing a new gas furnace should be a 2 day job. a few cabinet walls and a built in vanity in the bedroom were also added to the list by the lao ban. somewhere in the process i have to select one of the unused rooms to turn into a study office. 18 rooms and no kids in the house and only 2 gunrooms, she should let me have a study.

investments made during the china years should allow me to stay in school without other work for 2-3 years, depending on how this is played. the wife is taking it well, but making her own desires in terms of a remodel a priority. initially, she thought i was nutz, as nurses are held in low regard in china, being suitable for nothing of value, and having low education and income potential. introducing her to a few men my age who are RN and discussions with them has changed her perceptions. her mother-in-law thinks i am nutz to take a reduction in income for a change in occupation, but i can always walk back into the industrial world if things heat up there. the only option of interest at present is in shanghai, with lots of in country travel, so would sacrifice the American life that i am just now learning to love again.

i haven't worked for anyone other than myself (and my wife) in more than a month. it's the first time i haven't had a job for more than 2 weeks in my adult life, and has been quite a wonderful time. time with my sons in kutztown and a planned hunting trip of a week or two are on the books.

anyone have advice for a fellow returning to school after 20+ years? anyone in nursing with valid comment? any RNP out there? have decided to go RN as this can get me back to work in 2 years or so and can be expanded in so many different ways.

celebrate with me.

[Amby 490]

well...congrats. good luck.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Best wishes. I've considered the idea myself. As an RN, you can work just about anywhere.

[Nik+Heather 122]

John?

Do I know you? Or is this what all the manufacturing engineers are doing these days??

Only thing about going back to school that I found difficult was that it was difficult to do homework, as I'd much preferred the go to work, sit for 8 hours at a desk and do that work and then do what I liked at home. There's no such compartmentalization (unless you do it yourself) at school.

I think the meticulous attention to detail needed for inspection and maintaining quality records and certs will be helpful in many fields. -- Good luck.

[Peikko 1,575]

Just what the Dr ordered. Good luck with the career change, nursing can be a very fulfilling career.

[Dakine 26]

Nurse's start at about $40 a hour here plus killer benefits. Ones I know work a 12 hour shift 4 days a week. Not bad starting at $480 a day!!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Changing a career mid-life is a hard decision to make but when it is the right one to make, you know it. Congratulations to you on your new life choice and best wishes for every success. Being a nurse is a valuable occupation and if that is what you want to do, more power to you.

[nurse1967 287]

I am an ICU nurse. It is a very hard job both physically and mentally. I can't imagine doing anything else.

[el cordobés 0]

A male nurse? Sounds ####### to me!

[rebeccajo 14]

A successful nurse has a caring and nurturing nature.

Good luck.

[justashooter 430]

A male nurse? Sounds ####### to me!

i'll be the one with the 45, buddy.

here's something to make you feel better:

[Marina-Del 10]

Congrats

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Good luck

[luckytxn 2,265]

Good luck and God bless. It is hard to go back to school but can be done. I was a degreed petroleum chemist for 15 years but hated laboratory work as it was so boring. Eventually became manager and ran all the labs on the gulf coast but unfortunately I was a workaholic and worked myself to exhaustion and the hospital several times. I quit and went to a short school and became a truck driver and it was perfect for me. I planned on doing it for a year or two until I could find something that I could do and be happy. Turned into doing it for 11 years and loved it. I am also planning on maybe doing something else so I can stay home and be with the wife as I have to be on the road about 4 weeks and come home for 4 days. Right now I am remodeling a house and have some want me to do theirs but may just head out back on the road until the economy gets better and then next year come off the road. It is a tough time but luckily since I work a lot I have a big savings and other things to allow me to have stayed home this past 7 months and do some remodeling to pay the bills.

Edited September 25, 2009 by luckytxn

[Jenn! 918]

What a coincidence - my dad just told me that his best friend had sold his share in his company and decided to go to nursing school. I guess it's the thing to do these days. Best of luck to you.