dove 0 #1 November 1, 2002 I am thinking of making a huge career change. I have been in TV production (mostly on-air graphics for live sporting events) since college where I majored in Mass Communications with a minor in Business. I am finding that TV isn't as rewarding as I'd like. I know it sounds sappy, but I really wanna do something that makes a difference and I don't think animating the lineups onscreen during an NFL game has had a profound affect on anyone. And after all I've been through in the past year I have a serious yearning to be in medicine. Ideally I wish I had gone to med school to begin with - I really want to be an orthopaedic surgeon. My OS worked such magic on my leg... I want to be able to change someone's life like that. My God - he gave my life back to me! Problem is, I'm starting to geez a bit and med school takes forever. That isn't prohibitive in and of itself, but I've talked to some of the research assistants in my OS's office and asked them about becoming a doctor. One of them did the whole premed thing in college (I'd still have to take lots of those courses) and has taken the MCATs and scored really well, but still can't get into med school because there are only so many slots and there are tons of applicants. So even if I take the courses and do well on the MCATs, why would they choose an older person who wasn't commited from day one over a younger person who knew they wanted to pursue a medical career since the day they were born? So I am looking at other careers in medicine like PT (still LOTS of school for that one), RN (in very high demand), and surgical tech. ANyone have any other ideas? If you are in the medical field, what is your job and your experience in that position? Do you like it? What is the working environment like? Do you feel like your job is very rewarding? Thanks guys! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bwilling 0 #2 November 1, 2002 My ex-wife is a nurse (I put her thru school while we were married, wasn't that SWEET of me) and she really likes it... I CAN tell you that she's got pretty flexible hours, and makes in excess of 30 dollars an hour at times... She works in ICU though... it's not for everybody! Most of her patients are exactly like she prefers 'em... unconscious!!! But there's a wide range of 'stress levels' available in nursing, that's one of the other good things about it. You could even stay in school and be a PA (physicians assisitant, that was my ex's plan, thank God I didn't pay for THAT too!)Good Luck! Oh yeah, here in Texas, you can license as an RN with just a 2 year associates degree! Full RN. "If all you ever do is all you ever did, then all you'll ever get is all you ever got." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #3 November 1, 2002 I saw an ad here for RN's making $50/hour! Holy shit! I've heard others liking ICU - but since I wanna connect with my patients, no matter how unruly or unpleasant, that wouldn't be for me. Only 2 years for RN?!?!?!? How much did it cost you? PM me if you don't wanna publicize it - thanks! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #4 November 1, 2002 Medicine is a very beautiful career but you must really like it and put all your efforts in it cause its hard like hell, so goodbye to all your jumping sundays and start to think that you will jump about once a month if and only if the professor gets sick and can't get to class which is something unlikely to happen. how good is your chemistry and biology? can you see dead people? can you see blood? do you have good concentration? can you spend days and even weeks without sleep and still give your best? do you really want to commit your life to medicine (takes a lot of years to become a Orthopedic and even more to become a surgeon)? those are the question you should ask yourself before going there. I had a gf that was in medicine school and seriously they are all crazy and boring, cause the don't have time for something else not even to laugh. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #5 November 1, 2002 Blood doesn't bother me. When I shattered my leg I went to every site on the web looking at pics of sliced open legs, hardware installation, etc. My chemistry and biology is lacking but not because I am no good at it - because I wasn't majoring in any of the physical sciences so I didn't concentrate my efforts there. I love to learn and love a challenge and love high pressure (one of the best things about doing NFL was having a live audience of millions where every mistake was broadcast with no way of editing.) I could easily devote my life to helping others, even if I had to jump less. If I don't go the doctor route (which I've pretty much already dismissed) I won't have to give up all my freetime. The need for RNs is so intense now they are offereing excellent pay and benefits with your choice of hours - no evenings or weekends required. But I live in Florida so can jump any day of the week so I don't mind working weekends so much. I know this much - I helped another broken-legger out after my ordeal. Without going into detail, it was the best feeling I've ever had. This guy was suicidal and now he's wakeboarding again. I would break my leg all over again if it would change someone else's life like that. I want more of that..... I wish there was a position of Director In Charge of Motivation at the Ortho Institute I went to. If only people were more motivated to heal themselves and take their recovery in their own hands instead of waiting for recovery to happen to them they'd have such better outcome. And so many people think they'll never be able to enjoy life again or do all the things they used to. You really can't think like that. It's all in your head. If you think 60% recovery is all you can achieve, there is NO WAY you will ever get 61%. Those are the folks I want to reach. Why did I ever go into TV?! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #6 November 1, 2002 QuoteI know this much - I helped another broken-legger out after my ordeal. Without going into detail, it was the best feeling I've ever had. This guy was suicidal and now he's wakeboarding again. I would break my leg all over again if it would change someone else's life like that. I want more of that..... I wish there was a position of Director In Charge of Motivation at the Ortho Institute I went to. Ever consider phychology? As a physical therapist, I really value their input into the recovery of my patients. I work in an Acute Rehabilitation hospital where we work with spinal cord injuries, head injuries, etc and the whole team works in the patient's behalf. Really cool to see the patient's progress through the weeks. Best career change ever. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbrian 0 #7 November 1, 2002 I'm a medic. The pay sucks, the hours suck, and no one ever says thanks. But the job is awesome! Haven't found anything yet that challenges my brain more (except relationships, and they just give me headaches). In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #8 November 1, 2002 Not only did I thank my EMTs for being so awesome, I told the entire staff of the ER and even called the station they were sent from a week later. So for all those out there that you've helped..... THANK YOU! It really does make a difference! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #9 November 1, 2002 I remember when i had to go to the ER to fix up my foot (walking on an old dock and didn't see the head of a rusty nail sticking out) The guy that fixed me up said he went to school for two years and got his job two days after finishing school. I was thinking about going into the nursing field after the whole ordeal with my grandpa.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unlucky1 0 #10 November 1, 2002 I work in Nuclear Medicine. The money you can't beat, plus Nucs is in VERY high demand. I have a 2 year degree and i'll make about 85,000 this year. 60 is salary + 25000 in OT. Even though its only a 2year degree, the courses are strong in Nuclear Physics, Radiobiology, and Calculus + Radioactive Decay Formulas. I'm on call 1 night a week, and 1 weekend a month. I still manage to squeeze in jumping despite the Overtime. Damn! It feels good to be in Demand ! ! ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #11 November 1, 2002 85K and you call yourself unlucky?!?!?!?!? Who are you kidding? Besides the pay, do you like what you do? Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #12 November 1, 2002 I have a friend who was a head nurse for a nursing home and she was offering RN's straight out of school $35 an hour plus a $10k bonus. She was ALWAYS working tho...I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billo 0 #13 November 1, 2002 Quote Even though its only a 2year degree, the courses are strong in Nuclear Physics, Radiobiology, and Calculus + Radioactive Decay Formulas. YEAH BUDDY! Count me in! Is the 2 year degree just called "nuclear medicine"? There are no pre-reqs or anything like that? I already have an engineering degree, so i can handle the physics and calculus even though i wouldn't enjoy taking any of it again. But sounds like a good deal! Serious question though, and i'm not trying to make a joke or anything, but do you work in high radiation areas where you are likely to get any sickness or become sterile? Are there any statistics on this kind of deal? Let me know! I'm still pondering what my next degree is going to be in... b Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #14 November 1, 2002 X-ray repair technitions are known for having high pay, but also high sterility rates after a few years. If you don't want kids think of it as a free vascectomy. A friend of mine that got an electronics degree was offered a lot to do high radation repair work.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #15 November 1, 2002 In Florida, nursing homes don't pay squat. Since a lot of the people are in bad shape and not going to get better, there is not a lot of nursing going on. Down here, homes are the low end of the pay scale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #16 November 1, 2002 My sister has been an RN for 15 years. Let me know if you want to give her a call. She can fill you in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quatorze 1 #17 November 1, 2002 My fiance has been a nurse (labor and delivery) for over a year and she loves it, she is also pushing me to go back and get my surgical tech ticket. The only thing about surge techs is the national average for pay doesn't get over $36,000-$37,000 edited to give field specs I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #18 November 1, 2002 dove, ... don't worry about getting old and goig to med school.. lindsey (not that she's old or anything) is doing it and she has to be older than ya..... so get going..."just do it".... might need to relocate though... find the state with the cheapest malpractice insurance.....that shit is expensive!!!! my mom is a nurse....great pay.....funny thing is she's got the most time at the hospital she works at and makes more than her boss because of longevity....funny if ya ask me.... she works with more terminaly ill/ dieing patients or one that are there just for a few days...she worked in the er in columbus for a while at (grant hospital for you ohio people near columbus)(phree) but it was way too stressing for her.. now the small town hospital she works for is chalnging but not to overworking, she loves it..... (and in my opinion she is damn good too... yup i love my mom) ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newshooter12 0 #19 November 1, 2002 Dove - Go for it... I thought I was the only one tired of the TV life (although it's news not the graphics/production end). And don't let anybody tell you that you can't, because you can. matt P.S. Ever thought of being a Pharmacist or Pharmacologist.... my father, godfather and godmother are all pharmacists (two in hospitals and one in a retail pharmacy) and from the OT my dad has been seeing and what he says their in demand as well as that they start around $70... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #20 November 1, 2002 'Medicine is a very beautiful career ' Yea if you're a Gynaecologist or a breast surgeon, but if you're a colorectal surgeon it aint so pretty!!! When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #21 November 1, 2002 Thats rubbish, sorry mate but its simply not true. For a start X-rays are only generated for milliseconds and the machines do not contain any radioactive substance. I know this because I am Diagnostic Radiographer, in the UK we do all aspects of medical imaging X-rays (including fluroscopy), CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, PET scaning and also DEXA. The job is good and can be quite challenging but is quite different from our counterparts in the States who are Technicians and don't have the same level of role expansion. But 80K a year sound pretty good to me!!! When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #22 November 1, 2002 I somewhat work in the medical field. I'm a grief/bereavement therapist also board certified in music therapy and have training in GIM (psychoimagery) and Reiki. I've taken some massage courses but didn't quite finish. I could apply what my education is in to just about any group of people. I opted to work in end of life medical care. while it pays well, there are lots of nonperks. health care is 24 horus/day, 365 fdays a year. i don't get holidays off and that is a little strange. also after abotu 2 weeks you want to NEVEr hear of pagers/cell phones again. they are tools of the devil!! It is great helping peopel in times of pain, etc etc, but it's not a bed of roses. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #23 November 1, 2002 Quote P.S. Ever thought of being a Pharmacist or Pharmacologist.... my father, godfather and godmother are all pharmacists (two in hospitals and one in a retail pharmacy) and from the OT my dad has been seeing and what he says their in demand as well as that they start around $70... is that $70 per hour??? if so, is that retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy or something else? my wife is a pharmacist with 20 years experience, and her pay is much less (like about half!) than that. She is paid on par with pretty much all pharmacists in the area."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #24 November 1, 2002 Thanks so much everyone for your answers. I've got a lot of research and thinking to do. Whatever it is, I want a lot of interaction with the people I am helping - that is why I wouldn't go the surgical tech route or ICU. I'm not looking for a bed of roses or to be Mother Theresa . I know it will be hard and stressful and thankless at times, but if I help even one person get through a difficult experience, isn't it worth it?Keep your answers coming! Fall in dove. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chaz 0 #25 November 1, 2002 Hey dove... I'm in the pharmaceutical business and while you may think of *sales* it is way more than that. Once, I had the experience of offering a product to a doctor who didn't know much about the illness it treated (not his specialty and a rare disease). I gave him a briefing about it, and he said he wouldn't be needing it. Long story short, the next day he called and said a patient presented with the symptoms I had described. Needless to say, without my .02, he may not have known, the patient would not have been correctly diagnosed, etc. The list is endless. That is just one example, but I feel I have touched lives through my career. Anyway.. All the best, Chaz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
