sh1015

I could use some advice about applying for a position as unit secretary, please. Long story short....after moving around for my husband's education and career, I have found myself unable to find a steady, full-time job. I've been searching for almost 2 years. I actually have a Master's degree in Geography, which has been useless in the current economy. There are a number of unit secretary/coordinator positions available here. I have experience doing admin work and I want to work in a job where I'm helping people in some way, so I thought I might apply. Here are my questions: 1. Should I even list my Master's degree on the application? I've been told so often that I'm over qualified but no one seems to understand that I NEED to work (I've got to pay extra towards all those student loans). Or does it show that I'm educated, a hard worker, etc? 2. I was contemplating going to nursing school, so I started a CNA course to explore the healthcare field; however, I didn't complete the last two days (clinicals) because of a complicated combination of a family emergency and my husband's unexpected out-of-state job offer. Should I even mention this? It gave me a handle on medical terminology basics (a lot of which overlapped with all the biology courses I took in college). Or does it make me look like a flake? I promise I'm not. Sorry that was little long. But thanks for your help.

Mine was around $600. That included the text book, work book, and scrub top. We didn't need to buy a stethoscope or cuff because they had enough for us to use. But I bought my own because I figured it couldn't hurt. My program is 8-4:30 Sat and Sun for 5 weeks. I have my clinicals next week and I'm excited. My school also has snacks, drinks, and sometimes breakfast for us. That's really nice.

I was going to do the Red Cross program here in Louisville, but they didn't have classes on weekends. So, I went with a small privately owned healthcare institute called Right Choice. They're amazing! I've heard great things about similar schools in Kentucky, like Bluegrass in Lexington. Sorry, don't know any in your area. But, I've heard the Red Cross classes are bigger. There were only 4 people in my class, and it's so nice. I got to know the other people and my instructors well. Everyone is so friendly. Honestly, when I called the Red Cross here, they were, uh, a little grumpy. Haha.

I decided to go for the CNA training. I started last weekend, and I really like it so far. My only concern about becoming an RN, especially during those first few years of working isn't so much the hours but being able to take time off. I'll admit, I am spoiled when it comes to that. Being under-employed/unemployed means that I can just leave and travel with my husband whenever I want. However, the flip side of that is that I'm bored most of the time. I also feel pretty useless and I can feel my brain turning to mush. I've volunteered some, but most organizations in my neighborhood aren't even accepting volunteers because they have too many. Even the library turned me away. Ahhhhh! Now that made me feel awesome. I know I won't be able to make up my mind until I actually start working with patients.

8 hours for kidney infection. Friday night and was feeling terrible, so just doing what my NP at my other clinic told me to do. We had just moved here. Urgent Care had closed 30 minutes before, and we had to go to University because of our insurance. But....I was so fascinated watching all the people. My favorite, though the least dramatic, was the guy walking around with a HUGE bag of jerky. My (very few) trips to the ER was one of the things that made me interested in nursing.

Can anyone recommend a CNA program in Louisville besides Red Cross??

Thanks! The Red Cross just sent me the info. It's also two weeks as well. I'm going to an info session next Wed. I don't know if I can do the drive to Lexington, just because I have another job and have to pick the kids up from school. The CNA job I'm thinking of applying for is on weekends. I'd jump into it more, but I just started working with this family in October and I hate to leave them hanging.

Thanks so much for your input. I really, really appreciate your honesty. I think part of my challenge will be learning how to work like that again. I did it during my undergrad and at times it was tough. Going to work at 2pm and getting off at 6am the next day to go to an 8am biology class. I actually never had a job in my field, except as a grad assistant. Most of what I did was social work related because of my volunteer experience and connections back in Texas. I was also a nanny. And it was all mediocre....it paid the bills. My husband and I don't have children, and I've come to accept the reality that there's a chance that might not happen. I just really want something that I am so passionate about, something that has meaning, because then I'm willing to work very, very hard. Something that is going to challenge me. I feel that I'm a very smart person, but all of that is going down the drain because I'm not using it. Something that pays well-enough to pay my student loans down and save money (we live pretty simply). Something that can potentially be done anywhere no matter where we live. Because I hate to admit this (and I NEVER thought I'd be this person), right now, my husband's career comes first. Something to get me out of the babysitter trap I've found myself in. And something more meaningful than office work. See, I got my master's in geography, because I didn't know what in the hell I wanted to do. And, then when I graduated from that and I still didn't know, so I went along with PhD and being a professor seemed okay enough. Even if I wanted to finish my PhD there are no programs around here. And even if I did, I still don't think I'd find much meaning in it in the end and the job situation wouldn't be any better. Most people I know love their jobs or are at least passionate about their field and can see themselves moving up. I want that. I just feel so, so, so stuck. Wow....I needed to say all of that. Haha.

JuJu, shadowing is a great idea. I know a ton of nurses back in Texas, but not here. My friend who works at the children's home (she's in admin) but she might be able to set-up a shadow for me. They have CNA's all the way up to RN's. She once gave me a tour of the whole facility. I'm going to ask her when I see her this weekend.

I'm so, so sorry to read this. I can't imagine how difficult this must be. I do know about the pain of suicide. When I was 15, a close family friend of mine killed himself. He was only 17. I never, ever talked about it. My husband didn't even know. All of this time--15 years--it was as if it was eating me alive. I finally opened up to my PT about it this summer when I went for a shoulder injury. She recommended counseling, and I'm so glad I did it. My counselor also thought I would benefit from EMDR. I also write about it. No one has to read it, but I write it all out. It's working through all of this that I realized I wanted to be a nurse, especially an ER or ICU nurse. Sometimes I think about becoming a flight nurse (never told anyone that), because he died in the helicopter on the way to the hospital. I'm so, so sorry that you're having to go through this. You're in my thoughts.

I'm in a very similar situation. I left academics for education. And then hated education. I didn't even make it through the teacher training I was so bored. I love, love working with kids, but I don't want to be their classroom teacher every singe day. I'm considering nursing, too. I think I'm going to become a CNA first to see if it's for me before I dive all the way in. Funny, most of my close friends are teachers and they pretty much all hate their jobs. I have other friends who are nurses and they love it. They'll admit it's hard, but they never regret going to nursing school.

Thanks, KD. I did a very broad search for "RN" on Indeed 20 miles around Louisville and 1,200 jobs came up. Now, I realize there's a wide variety of skill/experience and position types in those searches. And, if we happen to move back home to San Antonio, I think the prospects are even better. The same search came up with 2,000+ jobs. And, some of the listings I looked at even said new grads welcome. No, I don't mind making $10 an hour. We're fortunate enough that we can live fairly well off what my husband makes. Does anyone know what CNA training costs? I called my local Red Cross, and they said they don't give out that info by phone. I have to attend an info session, which they were supposed to send me an e-mail about. Haven't heard back, yet. I'm so excited I just want to get the ball rolling.

I was on my way to becoming a professor in physical geography, when, during my first year in a doctoral program, I realized I was miserable and wanted a career that really meant something. For me, academics wasn't it. It's not that my grad programs were difficult--they really weren't. I felt that I was never really challenged, except during a biology course I took as an elective in my master's program. Actually, I worked harder as an undergrad than I ever did as a grad student. I left the program several years ago and I've had time (lots of it) to try out different jobs and think things over. I've had okay jobs but they all felt for a lack of better words-- blah. Now, we've moved to Louisville, where I've had a difficult time finding a job-- any job. It seems like all the jobs are in the medical or manufacturing field. A friend finally helped me land a very part-time gig helping a little girl with CP. We work on her independent living goals. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my little gal. But I'm basically a glorified nanny, and I want more. Ever since I was little I'd thought about being an RN. For some reason, I would just push it away. Toward the end of my master's program a very dear friend died in a car accident, and it was very tough on me, since I my 18-year-old uncle died the same way. I was talking to my grandma about it, and she told me that she had recently spoken to the girl who was my uncles fiance. She became a nurse because she wanted to help people who'd been in accidents. That stuck with me. I've been researching prerequisites, nursing school, advice, jobs, etc. I'm thinking about becoming a CNA to get some experience and see if this is for me. I have a friend who said she can get me a position where she works. Then, if it's a fit, I would apply for U of Louisville's Accelerated BSN program. I'm so excited about the thought of all of this. I haven't been this excited about something in a very, very long time. I know what a tough job nursing is. I know about tough jobs-- I worked my way through undergrad at an emergency children's shelter. Besides seeing horrific injuries to children, I've been--among other things--pooped on, peed on, thrown-up on, almost stabbed in the back, overwhelmed with paperwork, exhausted, and over-worked. I read the CNN article about nurses not being able to find jobs. Is it really that terrible?? I'm willing to work in nursing homes, whatever it takes in the beginning. I'm not the sort of person who thinks anything is beneath them. My husband is worried that I'll go through all of this (time and MORE student loans) and nothing will come of it. Advice. Thoughts. Anything is appreciated. I apologize for the length of this. But it feels so good to type all of this out.