Hello, I need your advice, please.

[lane A.]

First of all, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read my post. I have decided to pursue a career in the medical field, with nursing a real possibility.

I come to you today seeking council, about professional matters, education, and my life's direction, from you seasoned professionals.

I am a 53 year old man, a navy veteran, never married, have no children or family, and was orphaned in my teens.

For most of my life I have been attempting to achieve my dreams of making a living as a performer,

I have acting and singing talent, many people were telling me that I would go far, but, sadly it is not that simple, I have made many sacrifices for this.

The small entertainment business I was running, went belly up because of the recession. The only employment I was able to secure after this was in a restaurant. This income allows me to survive, and that is about it. To give you some idea of the undesirability of this position, raises are capped at 3%, and this year my raise request was ignored. My schedule constantly changes, making training for something else very difficult.

I have been attempting to find other work through a state agency to get away from this, I believe my age has played a role in failing to find any alternative with my present skills.

Last year, my vehicle that I bought from a brand new state in 1993, and had no problems with for the most part, became unusable, I now use, the bus, my bike, and my feet.

It is now obvious, that I must jump to a 'stepping stone' job, in order to make training for better opportunities possible.

I have read about certificate programs that could be completed in a few months. A C.N.A. Is one of these, but is this the best option? What about medical coding? Are there possibilities I am ignoring?

I am sure that I have the intellect for something better, science was always something I could do, math, not so much, but I pride myself on my compassion and consideration for others.

Again, I appreciate your time, and any input you may have.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Look at the open positions at the hospitals in your area. What are the needs?

You might consider applying for a position as a psych tech or monitor tech.

Many facilities offer on the job training for these occupations.

[tarotale]

people say nursing has good foundation and job security for one with family, but I say do something else, there are other jobs that can provide as much if not better with less education and stress/bs. my buddy took few weeks course and got a job in oil/radiology related field starting $20/hr, it's little less than what I make but still consider less education, better raises in that field, and you know, there's no such thing as "petroleum satisfaction" survey. there are many jobs, you just have to look and ask around. good luck.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Since the main focus of many facilities is providing hospitality services, you would be well suited to one of the concierge positions and that might give you a feel for what the business is like before you invest in certifications and or student loans. Environmental service jobs pay well in unionized facilities.

[lane A.]

---thank you--i used to sing for pay in nursing homes, i was able to talk to health care professionals about their jobs, so i do have some idea-this also included some hospitals--with all due respect--the b.s. i'm going through right now, probably makes your b.s. look like paradise--

[Farawyn]

---thank you--i used to sing for pay in nursing homes, i was able to talk to health care professionals about their jobs, so i do have some idea-this also included some hospitals--with all due respect--the b.s. i'm going through right now, probably makes your b.s. look like paradise--

With all due respect, I highly doubt that.

[westieluv]

Have you considered being a dialysis tech? They work in outpatient dialysis clinics where the hours are more regular than in a hospital setting and the Big Two dialysis providers, Fresenius Medical and Davita, will hire people and train them as techs who have no medical background. I used to work with some awesome techs who came to Frsenius from places like Subway and Walmart. The training consists of a week or two in the classroom then several weeks with a preceptor in the clinic. It pays better than being a STNA.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

In sonography (which is a certificate/associate's degree-required profession) you make about the same or more than a registered nurse (which is now basically a bachelor degree-required profession). The job market for sonography is expected to continue to grow greatly, where nursing seems to be pretty awful. I have no idea what B.S. you're going through right now, and I hope that whatever it is clears up nicely and leaves you on top of the world (truly, I wish this for you), but I sincerely believe that a career in nursing will only compound your misery not mitigate it.

[lane A.]

--ok--$1100 dollars a month in wages--i work with people of questionable intelligence that create problems for me to fix--a company that refuses to spend money on staff or maintenance of equipment i need--a fast paced environment that confuses and frustrates me--no chance of advancement--schedule changes on short notice, and hours cut-- a refusal to even grant me a 30 cent raise--add to that a 90 minute trip to and from on bus that is 13 miles away, and on night shifts, which are at least two to three times a week--i bike that 13 miles back home--no buses run after 9pm-if i was making a decent living, all of this would be manageable, and i would put up with it--helping people and being needed, with a portable important job would be desirable--even a $25k a year position would be a quantum leap forward

[Nola009]

Congrats to you for making it through so much...and continuing to strive for more. I think the best quick, useful training to obtain in your case would be a phlebotomy program. They can usually be completed in a few weeks and when you're through, allow you entry-level employment within a desirable facility, no heavy lifting (unlike cnas), and a better wage. Good luck.