New Direction

Well folks, I haven't been on here for awhile. Not by choice, but rather by
circumstance. Economy has been bad, and the shoe dropped on me last week.
Sort of knew that it was coming, but it was still a shock to get called into
the boss's office and be told. I'm still at work until the middle of October,
but after that I find myself joining the hundreds of thousands who are out
there looking for something.

After the initial shock wore off a bit, I realized that this tough situation
might actually be a blessing in disguise. For the first time in 30 years,
I'm actively contemplating a change in career. After spending 30 years in
the computer industry, I'm now thinking about switching careers and going
into the medical field.
It's not as easy as it seems, as I just turned 53 this year, but thank the
Lord, I'm in pretty good health, so if the powers that be in the government
can pop for some retraining, I'm going to try to get into the nursing field.

I can hear the snickering now. A 53 yr old male nurse...what's the world
coming to...hehe...Have to say that I thought of that as well. However, when
my mom was sick, and spent a year in the hospital a couple of years back, it
was me there helping her to learn to walk again, encouraging her to do the
exercises to get her hands to work again, and now 5 years later, she's almost
back to her old self, knitting, going out with her friends, and doing just
about all the things that she used to do. And I have to tell you that it feels
pretty good that I was able to have a small part in her recovery.

So I figure that if I can do that for my mom, why not do that for others?

So wish me luck dealing with the government bureaucracy to get funding for
training, and wish me luck in getting my old brain back into gear so I can
wrap my head around all of the new things that I will have to learn so that
I can be the best I can in this new profession.

Oh, and Dan, I'm going to have to put any new knife purchases off for a little
while, say like a year or two, but I will be drooling over every new offering
that comes along, and will be keeping a list of all the ones that I really
like, so that when I get back onto my feet, I can make a few purchases.

Cheers all.

Good luck DotD...but don't even sweat any imagined snickers for one bit. It takes more sack to believe in yourself and forge ahead on a new path than anything.


Much respect and much luck!

I wish you the best in your new pursuit! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> Sometimes it takes a life-altering event to change things for the better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good luck!

Dave--GO for it..A good time to get a different career..But it is a hard hard job. The physical demands are greater than you think.. Mental is even harder..It's the same for (Any Allied Health field) career.. Nursing, Respiratory, Radiology,,But are good careers for an experienced person to join. I see it everyday.. Funny you say?,,

I am an Allied Health Worker,,and I joke that there was a Computer line, and a Health line at the college..I said''Computers?? Who'd need those?? Now after being in the medical field going on 30 yrs,,I see the grass is greener somewhere else..

In reality,,I should have went in to the LEO,,Firefighter,,Post Office,,Teacher line,,,Our fathers generation will be the first and only generation to get pension and health benefits as a retirement tool..Make your choices wisely..Good Luck.

Look at it as a blessing in disguise!

If nursing or anything else interests you, than why should you care what others think?

Stay positive

Good luck, I like that your desire is to help others.
It's refreshing.

good luck, I also was laid off 2 months ago and wont be back till January.

Nursing is a good field to go into the demand for nurses is only going to increase dramatically with a large portion of our population geting older. Also I can only speak for in the bay area, but nurses are paid extreamly well here.

I wish you the best of luck.

good luck......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ill be there with ya DotD, I start pre-nursing this upcoming spring semester.

good luck! its tough making a career change but most days i think any thing is really better then computers. congrats man.

Best of luck to you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Wishing you all the best! I think that being a nurse sounds like a great fit if you enjoy taking care of others and being part of their recovery. Go for it!

Go for it D <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> !!Never too old for anything. The knives will be waiting for you as will your friends <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. Luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good luck and I'm glad your mother is doing great <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

+1 ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Go for it! I'll be a murse in December.

Like the lady said mate, all the best to you! Sometimes what seems like a disaster is a blessing in disguise.

Good luck there and don't worry about being a male nurse. If I were to change careers, it would be in the nursing field. Going from teaching to nursing, should not be that hard==we get blamed for a lot LOL. Hang in there and have fun with it!

It sucks that you lost your job, but it is awesome that you are thinking about moving into the nursing field. I feel I can offer some real experience with a number of loved ones who went into nursing, and especially advice for an educational path....


Since you said you've been working in the computer industry, you probably hold a Bachelor's degree already. If you do, you're in luck!!!


Many schools (the one I'm familiar with is Drexel University in Philadelphia) offer an "accelerated" program for folks who already have a BS. Basically, they assume you know all of the introductory classes, and just cram in a massive course load of advanced nursing topics, getting you a Bachelor of Science Nursing in just one year. It's an intense program and a lot of hard work, but you could conceivably be employed in a hospital very quickly.

There are also nursing-specific student loan programs, so you could use those to raise some extra money, whether to cover tuition or living expenses while you suffer through the accelerated program.


Good luck - I've heard a great line - that doctors diagnose people, but nurses heal them. There is definitely a grain of truth to that - nursing is a noble choice of profession, at any age or gender.

I am real sorry to hear about your situation.

The good is that you have not lost your spirit and that is critical when you make a move to change direction.

I would highly recommend that you pick up a book called "Who Moved My Cheese" It is a quick read...15 to 20 minutes max and cost around $10 bucks. If you have read it, pull it out and re-read it.

It helped my brother-in-law who lost his job after 32 years and encouraged him to completely shift directions and successfully start a whole new career.

Best of luck and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers

Dan

Good Luck DOTD I hope everything works out for you.

Best of luck in your new endeavor! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all the support everyone.
MM, I don't have a BSc, only an Associates Degree along with various
industry specific training diplomas for "now outdated" systems and equipment.

When I started in the computer industry, I literally was able to "walk"
into my first computer (a DEC Alpha for those old enough to remember when a
computer took up a "whole" room). Most of what I've learned has come from
me sitting down with the equipment instruction manuals and reading.

My training will be starting from the ground up, so to speak, as I haven't
been to school since 1994.
Yesterday I had to go to the local university and take assessment tests to
ascertain what upgrading would be needed prior to getting into the program.
I should find out in a week or so what needs to be done.

Thanks again all for the support.
I'll keep everyone updated on progress.

Cheers

Good luck in your new ventures. The second round of layoffs at my current company is coming down tomorrow.

Please keep us informed on how you are doing

Dan

Good Luck...

im sorry to hear this dave

Just thought I'd give a quick update for everyone.

The nursing intake for me won't be until March next year.
This is good as I have to get a few things out of the way first.
Upgrading my Biology is a major one, criminal check (because I'm going into
an occupation where I will be involved with "vulnerable and at risk" people),
immunizations, basic literary and mathematical tests and a few other goodies.

I'm still working, and won't officially be laid off for a week yet, so it all
seems a little surreal still.

I'll fill everyone in as I get more information.

Cheers all!

You need to use your opportunity with getting your pre-req's hammered out to get your old study habits cranked up again. You've got to get your mind right because, my friend, the pain train is coming. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />