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Discussion

Uncharted Water

Hey Folks,

I need some career advice stat! Background information: 50 year old male RN with ADN and 25 years nursing experience. Single, no kids, very stable financially. Currently employed at a large teaching hospital on a 25 bed general neurology unit for the past 13 years. Recently all the stars aligned themselves and I'm in a position to take a year off and travel the world. I feel like it's now or never. I would of course put in a one months notice. I have excellent performance and peer review evaluations at my job. The caveat? I have no job to go to upon my return. My current employer- a Magnet Hospital - is not hiring AD nurses. Even though my boss would take me back with open arms, I can't get around the BSN requirement. And then there is the thorn in my side of a public intoxication charge 10 years ago. I'm willing to try different nursing career paths upon my return from my travels. Any advice? Any warnings? Help please!

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    • Featured Replies

    Do it! You don't want to look back in ten years and wish you had.

    When you get back, look into hospice, LTC, private duty, school nursing, clinics, immunization pop up clinics.....there are so many options that you'll find something! And even if it ends up not being something you want to stay with long term, you can put in 6 months or a year while looking for something else.

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    I would say go, life is way too short. Work will always be there...an opportunity like this might not.

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    Travel! You will regret not going! With your experience it shouldn't be too hard! And keep in mind when u get back from your trip, there are also accelerated online BSN programs you can finish in less than a year!

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    • Author

    Thanks to all that reply. I really appreciate the input. But keep in mind I was arrested and jailed a decade ago for public intoxication. Hasn't happened since, but in today's competitive job market with an arrest record and a mere AD in nursing, I'm afraid when I get back from my year of travel, I'll be asking people if they would like fries with that order. Seriously.

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    • Experts
    Thanks to all that reply. I really appreciate the input. But keep in mind I was arrested and jailed a decade ago for public intoxication. Hasn't happened since, but in today's competitive job market with an arrest record and a mere AD in nursing, I'm afraid when I get back from my year of travel, I'll be asking people if they would like fries with that order. Seriously.

    You raise a good point. Your career options will be limited -- and will you be happy with your options when you get back? Not only will you have the problems you have already pointed out, but you will also be considered "out of date" with your practice.

    It's easy for other people to say "go for it" when they are not going to be the ones paying your bills in the future. You'll need a solid game plan for a career when you want to resume working.

    My suggestions are to do at least one of the following:

    1. Do you have to "not work at all" over the next year? Would it be possible to work per diem ... or as a traveler ... or something during at least part of that year to keep your skills current? For example, could you arrange to work a minimal amount of per diem at your current job so that you wouldn't have to actually separate from service and have to be re-hired on your return? That would compromise your travel plans, but would it be possible to come home periodically to work a little keep your foot in the door?

    2. Can you line up a job now for when you get back ... and come back and work a little during the year to hold your place? For example, something like teaching CPR, etc.

    3. Go to school. There are lots of short, easy online BSN programs these days -- and you might be able to find one you could do while you see the world -- at least take a couple of the classes. Can you delay your trip a bit to get yourself part-way through school before you leave? etc. Having the BSN or being half-way through school might let you get your old job back. Look into it.

    I am single, no kids, and 59 years old. Yeah, I would like to run away from my job, too, and have some fun traveling, etc.. I totally understand the desire. But I also want to a comfortable retirement -- and that will require that I keep working a few more years and being sensible with my money/career. By being sensible now, I hope to semi-retire a little early and have the resources to live well for the rest of my life. Being 52 and unemployed, draining your savings to support yourself is not what you want to be. Get your career and finances in order before jumping off that cliff.

    Good luck in figuring out a career path that will work for you.

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    • Author

    Hey, I really appreciate your concerne. I'm right on board with you. The thing is all of my career I've been very savvy with my bankroll. Maximum contributions to 401k's, saving far more than I earned , paying off a mortgage early, having zero debt, a years gross income in a savings account for emergencies, etc. My concerne isn't so much the hit to wallet as it is to the career. Jumping ship without a soft place to land is something I've never done before. And despite my less than stellar educational preperation and that public intox charge over ten years ago, I'm a damn good nurse. But no one will see that from a computer application, and that's what scares me. I've played it safe all my life, now it's time to put my trust in the Gods that I'll land on my feet. Even greater doors may open, who knows? At any rate it's Bon Voyage for me! Wish me safe travels and happy job hunting on my return! I only pass this way once.

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    You public intoxication arrest didn't affect your license, correct? I think it being 10 years old, it likely won't be a huge thorn in your side, since the BON hasn't taken away your license. A lot of jobs only ask about felonies. I think your solid work history and experience will be enough to land you a job upon your arrival. I say GO FOR IT and travel.

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    Enjoy your travels. I'm also about to embark on a new adventure. I'm leaving everything behind to go teach English overseas and travel.

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    • Author

    @ itsmejuli

    How did you do it? What are your qualifications? You are about to embark upon my dream! Details?

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    I did lots of research. Everything you need to know about teaching ESL is online. There are ESL jobs out there.

    My immediate goal is to teach in Mexico so I'm taking the CELTA there. This is a highly rated ESL 4 weeks long teaching course.

    But first I'm going to Guatemala for 7 weeks to learn Spanish.

    Ultimately I want to travel and teach ESL through Latin America.

    I'll make it work one way or another.

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    Oh yeah my last day at work is this Friday. I fly to Guatemala a week later

    :-D

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