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Posts Tagged ‘changing careers’

There are 14.5 million people out of work according to the latest government news release.  And yet there is one field that you are practically guaranteed a job if you get the training. That field is in nursing – both male and female. This is one of the fastest growing fields according to health care groups. Over 1.2 million new nursing jobs will be added through 2014 according to major sources in the health care industry.

A friend of mine recently widowed a few years back decided to take this training. Although she was in her 40’s at the time she didn’t let this stop her, in fact it worked to her advantage. While she had younger women in her class, they all had children or other encumbrances (like boyfriends) and she graduated with honors — top of her class and landed a job immediately with one of the largest hospitals in Pasadena California where she lived. Every major city across the U.S is hiring and with the shortage of qualified nurses the salaries continue to rise.

You don’t have to work in a hospital; there are many other places who hire RN’s. Here is a partial list just to whet your appetite. Of course hospitals remain the major source of employment because of so many departments. A few other places that employ RN’s are:

Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians’ offices, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency medical centers.

Nursing care facility nurses manage care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer’s disease. As our population ages there will be more openings in this area. Although they often spend some of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents’ health, develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides, and perform invasive procedures, such as starting intravenous fluids.

Home health nurses provide nursing services to patients at home. Home health nurses care for a broad range of patients, such as those recovering from illnesses and accidents, cancer, and childbirth.

Public health nurses work in government and private agencies, including clinics, schools, retirement communities, and other community settings. Public health nurses instruct individuals and other groups regarding health issues such as preventive care, nutrition, and childcare. They arrange for immunizations, blood pressure testing, and other health screening. These nurses also work in community health education.

Occupational health nurses, also called industrial nurses, provide nursing care at worksites to employees, customers, and others with injuries and illnesses. They give emergency care, prepare accident reports, and arrange for further care if necessary.

Are these jobs restricted to the female section of our population? Absolutely not! There are lots of job openings for men. There are some sections of this type of work that men are better suited to; jobs that may require lifting patients and of course Paramedics, perhaps one of the overlooked departments. Paramedics play a very important role in the health care industry.

Out of work for months? Don’t allow your professional skills to atrophy. Here are some things to do to keep that from happening.

In July, five million people in the U.S. were considered long-term unemployed—meaning they had been jobless for 27 weeks or more. Career counselors say that as weeks turn into months, job-hunters need to polish and update their skills to stay current. They should look for ways to network while they do so, and avoid spending lots of money. That’s not news to anyone in this position.  “You want to get the biggest bang for your buck,” says J.T. O’Donnell, a career coach in North Hampton, N.H.

Here are some strategies:

• Stay connected to industry associations. Check out your membership rights with trade groups or unions. Many times, you can continue your membership for free or at a reduced rate if you’re out of work. “That means you get booklets, magazines, all the information that will help keep you up to date with what’s going on,” says Gerry Crispin, co-founder CareerXroads, a Kendall Park, N.J., consulting firm that helps companies recruit.  There are excellent Executive Search companies on the Internet.
• Hit conferences. Attend industry or professional conferences by checking out association Web sites and groups on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
• Join local interest groups. Local organizations like the chamber of commerce provide good networking opportunities and sometimes offer skills classes. Offer to help run the program committee, which sets the agenda for speakers and events. You’ll get a say in who is invited and network with guests. This keeps your face in front of people.
• Take classes—in person. Taking an online class is easy, but it eliminates that face-to-face networking that often lands jobs and opens doors, says Ms. O’Donnell. “You need something where you physically show up,” she says.
• Consider entry-level coursework. One of Ms. O’Donnell’s clients was laid off from a project management job in banking. He wanted to become a project manager at a software company, but didn’t know the lingo. He took a basic Web design class; his younger classmates taught him industry terminology. “He came back so excited about learning a new industry and was much better prepared for interviews,” she says.
• Add advanced skills. Getting a certification can boost your resume. Auditing a high-level class at a local college can improve skills and help you keep up with new developments. Check colleges to see if they offer free or discounted rates for unemployed people.
• See what training programs your state offers to the unemployed. New Jersey offers grants for non-degree business classes at Rutgers University as well as free community college classes if there are open seats.
• In Michigan, the state’s “No Worker Left Behind” program offers up to two years’ worth of free tuition in the state university system for unemployed and underemployed workers.
• Write about your industry and connect more online. Start a blog about your industry. Or find five people you always wanted to interview and write an article for a local publication or industry blog. That way you keep your name out there, make new connections and continue to learn, Ms. O’Donnell says.

Anyone who has ever held a job for more than a day has felt this way. And in this troubling economy the thought of changing careers (no matter how miserable you feel at your current job) is scary. Truth is though that the unemployment rate is not THAT high. Over 90% of the population is working and there are still some TOP companies that are hiring. So put those fears aside and explore the possibility that you can have a “career” you love, instead of a “job” you hate.

At times we all have had a restlessness in our current jobs and a desire to make a change but with the responsibilities of family etc., we are reluctant to move out. That is why many people stay in jobs that they absolutely hate all their life and just resign themselves to such a life. Folks, that ain’t living! My father did this for almost 20+ years and he was absolutely miserable the whole time. You’re life is worth so much MORE than a paycheck!

So step back and ask for help – from a professional. A career coach can best help you cut through the crap and find the answer to what you’re looking for in a career.

What  Is A Career Coach, And How Can I Find This Magical Person?

A career coach is a person with specialized training to help people find their define their special skills – and even dreams – that many times have laid buried. Then they help you to translate that into career choices. Sometimes ones you never even thought about, or others that you’ve wanted but thought you didn’t have skills for (surprise! You probably do).

There is absolutely no advantage in being stuck in a dead end career that is going nowhere. The economy may be down but there are jobs available for those people with the courage to make a move. The next move is yours. Take it!

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