Help out a nurse wannaba

On one of the threads a few days ago, I saw a comment that there seemed to be a lot of nurse wannabes on the truckers boards. I don't think that this would be too surprising if it's true. People are investigating different careers, and obviously there are different options out there. Besides the trucking industry, I've also checked out the health field as well, and am getting as much info as I can about both fields before making a decision. And it may not be apparent, but both fields do have some things in common that are very important to today's job seekers, given the state of the economy and future prospects.

1) A person can enter either field with relatively low-cost, short-term training. Granted it takes a lot of training and a couple years minimum to become an RN, but a Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) program can be completed in about the same time it takes to go through truck driver school. From there a CNA can go for a 2-year A.S. in nursing, or the 4-year BSN degree while working in the field and getting experience. CNAs don't make a huge amount, and short term you'll probably make more money in trucking, but it's a great first step and future prospects are good.

2) Like truck drivers, there will always be a need for nurses. Neither profession will be going out of style anytime soon, and there will always be jobs available. People will always have accidents, get sick, and grow old. They'll need nurses. Products and other materials always will have to be transported, and trucks will always be part of that. Drivers will always be needed.

3) Neither profession can be outsourced to another country. As I mentioned in my other thread, I used to be a software engineer for 9 years, and before that I did mainframe computer operations for about 6 years. It's very discouraging after all the time and effort you put in to building your career, to see it suddenly sent overseas and knowing you have to start from scratch doing something else. This has happened to countless of people in the IT field, not just me. Before IT jobs it was manufacturing, textiles, and whatever else. Those jobs are not coming back to the USA. Starting over when you're in your 40's or 50's is not easy. And those people who still have jobs are looking over their shoulders wondering when the ax is going to come. So people are looking at careers that have at least some level of stability and opportunity. Trucking and nursing both provide that.

I can truly say that both professions have an appeal for me, but in different ways. I love helping people, and people tell me I would do well in the health field. I also love to drive and travel, so trucking would be seem to be a natural extension of that. I understand there's a lot more to the job than just driving, and it takes dedication to succeed. Some of the horror stories I've been reading from both new and experienced drivers about their experiences at certain companies are giving me second thoughts. I know I won't get rich driving. I'm just looking to make an honest living, earn enough to pay the bills, put a roof over my head and food on the table, and maybe set aside a little something for retirement. If trucking can provide that, even if the first year or so is rough, then I'd definitely do it. Even if I can't save money, I can be stupid and hope social security will still be around in 15 - 20 years. I've lived in Mexico for most of the past 4 years, and $1,200 - $1,500 a month is more than enough to live on down there. I'm sufficiently accustomed to the culture, and can get by well enough in Spanish to live OK down there if need be. Enough of the rant. Any POSITIVE comments about going into the trucking industry would be greatly appreciated. A lot of what I've encountered has been pretty negative, and maybe I'm just hitting the wrong threads. ¡Gracias por su ayuda y nos hablamos mas tarde! (Thanks for your help, and talk to you later).

 

Thanks for the reply Slo-poke. I'm not looking to get into trucking for the money, but obviously I wouldn't drive for free. I totally agree with that happiness is a frame of mind, and as I mentioned I'm not looking to get rich. But bills do have to be paid. Groceries are not free. Rent has to be paid. If trucking can provide a living for me and my family then I'll strongly consider it. That's why I'm on these boards and doing research. I'd also be a fool not to consider the other career options available. In a perfect world I'd still be working in information technology. That's no longer possible. That's over, dead, and gone. I need to consider all the factors before making a decision, such as my age, my experience, my interests, the current economy and its future prospects, trends, etc. Based on what I've heard, seen, read, and feel so far, trucking or something in the health field are two options that would be a fit for me. I could also be a security guard if need be (not my first choice). I've done that before, I have a clean record, and have a permit to carry a firearm in my state. It doesn't pay a lot hourly, but $12 an hour plus 20 hours overtime at time and half is over $40,000 a year. It's enough to live on. Like I say, at this point I'm just looking for something stable that will pay the bills, and being a truck driver seems like a definite option for me. There are a number of things (from what I've read) that I find attractive. I'm also reading a number of horror stories from both new and experienced drivers, enough to make me think it may not be worth it. This is a decision that I'm not going to rush. I'm trying to get all the info I can, about all fields that interest me and from different sources. If anyone has positive comments about the industry, and can provide encouragement then that would be greatly appreciated. No job is perfect, but I'm just seeing too much negativity here, and it's becoming a concern. Thank you in advance for any responses.