[MagRedC5]

Cammer, I can respect your consideration of your wife's wishes & your need for a regular set schedule with having little kids. I can appreciate you setting your family as a #1 priority. My Marine Corps career was cut short back in 1988 D/T becoming a single parent with no one available to care for my two son's if I were to get deployed OCONUS on an unaccompanied tour.

You will make an outstanding male nurse! Yes, a nurse is a nurse, but I like it when we males proudly represent the nursing profession, too. Yes, a fixed wing Care Flight type career may be possible for you in the future.

My heart goes out to the family members of Erik Hangartner & may he rest in peace. Thank you for sharing the link, too. Erik was truly a hero, IMHO. This may be the year I'm tasked with going to Iraq with a Combat Support Hospital. I don't fear for my life in the Sandbox as much as I regret causing worry to my wife, or perhaps missing out on my son's college graduation, commission to 2LT, and marriage... all in the same week this coming December, LOL. Maybe the AMEDD will grant me stateside leave if I happen to be in Iraq this December.

[Cammer]

Originally Posted by MagRedC5

You will make an outstanding male nurse! Yes, a nurse is a nurse, but I like it when we males proudly represent the nursing profession, too. Yes, a fixed wing Care Flight type career may be possible for you in the future.

I've actually been practicing as an RN for a few years now. I'm just finishing up my BSN so I can go on to grad school. I'm currently working full time+ as an ICU nurse.

My heart goes out to the family members of Erik Hangartner & may he rest in peace. Thank you for sharing the link, too. Erik was truly a hero, IMHO. This may be the year I'm tasked with going to Iraq with a Combat Support Hospital. I don't fear for my life in the Sandbox as much as I regret causing worry to my wife, or perhaps missing out on my son's college graduation, commission to 2LT, and marriage... all in the same week this coming December, LOL. Maybe the AMEDD will grant me stateside leave if I happen to be in Iraq this December.

Yes, Erik was really a great guy. Losing him was a blow to our local EMS community because he was well known by all and dedicated to the medical profession. It's been a few years since he was killed but folks still mention him once in a while. He was soft spoken and humble but still a great educator. I was blessed and inspired to have known him.

I came close to joining the military myself. When I was 18 I met up with a recruiter but he told me to forget it. I was told that because of a medical history of asthma I would not be accepted. That kinda ticked me off a bit so I proved them wrong by going through the fire academy. It was tough keeping the asthma under control during extreme exercise but I managed it and I never let it slow me down. I did well during the combat challenge, etc. Perhaps the recruiter was right though. The medication that I needed would not always be available in the field.

I still regret not being able to get into the military. I was raised to know that I had a duty to serve and felt a bit shortchanged that I wasn't able to do so. I envy you guys who have been able to join up and serve the country.

Wow, you must be incredibly proud of your son. Officer, college grad, getting married all in less than a year from now. My own son is 10 y/o but he is showing great promise. He's intelligent, hardworking and is showing aptitude is several areas. I hope I can guide him well through his teenage years. Any advice?

[MagRedC5]

Originally Posted by Cammer

I've actually been practicing as an RN for a few years now. I'm just finishing up my BSN so I can go on to grad school. I'm currently working full time+ as an ICU nurse.

I still regret not being able to get into the military. I was raised to know that I had a duty to serve and felt a bit shortchanged that I wasn't able to do so. I envy you guys who have been able to join up and serve the country.

Wow, you must be incredibly proud of your son. Officer, college grad, getting married all in less than a year from now. My own son is 10 y/o but he is showing great promise. He's intelligent, hardworking and is showing aptitude is several areas. I hope I can guide him well through his teenage years. Any advice?

Okay, I'm sure your already an outstanding example for other male nurses to follow.

Please, no regrets! Your contributions in the EMS community, as well as in ICU nursing stateside are definitely appreciated.

LOL, I was a single parent Dad with two teenagers, which was worse than Marine Corps Boot Camp. Advice? Remember, they will respect you ... once they are past there teen years. Until then, don't let them know your bark is louder than your bite, but always let them know you love them greatly. Sorry, it is a right a passage you must travel to truly experience. The best years were when the kids were between 4-12 yrs old when they followed directions without hesitation & trusted your intentions. Once your kids are past 21 yrs old they ain't monsters, anymore, LOL.

[Ricu]

If I had it to do over again, I would be a highschool guidance counselor and ADD/HD coach. Additionally, I would requalify as a Personal Trainer and offer a physical education program that would be an alternative to team sports. While I do enjoy working in the nursing field, I frequently feel as though I could offer something more meaningful to the world if I worked more in health promotion and disease prevention. To do this more directly, one should really interface with the young people, directly, and try to impact their physical and emotional health, coping mechanisms, educational focus and so on.

R

[hsieh]

i would be a - goat whisperer. no i'm just kidding. i would be a life coach.

[cassioo]

I did go to school for accounting which is what I'd planned to do out of high school (then worked in a factory for 9 years) I probably wouldn't have liked accounting for long though. I might have been some kind of teacher who knows probably something to do with kids (I have 4 of them).

[clemshady]

Im thinking a pirate...... really like the eye patch and flag, or maybe a merchant marine.... cool coats, perhaps a crab fisherman in Alaska! Kinda seeing a marine pattern here......hmmmmm then there is always the big game hunter ya know Africa....

Was a CPA (actually still am) and became a nurse because that is my calling. Would love to be a MD but dont have the time to devote to the education at this point. Give me a mulligan and I think ER MD, sounds fun!

Clem

[Mrs.Nurse]

I can't think of anything else I'd rather be. Isn't that a wonderful thing to be able to say. How many people go to work each day to a job and say, I love what I do? We truly are lucky.

[Patricia Lynn]

Originally Posted by hsieh

i would be a - goat whisperer. no i'm just kidding. i would be a life coach.

I think I'd be starving in NY trying to sell my art! I'd definately be famous after I was dead, for my terrific paintings of course!

I love your dog pic, I tried to download mine in my avatar but I have to work on that some more! My Raven will definately replace Flo in the near future!

[wildhorse]

I have read through each post, and as I ponder.... I guess I would say that I am suited to nursing. I have had a few other jobs... but it seems that I have been called to nursing. That sounds so silly, but it is true. Even in my recent "slump" when I decided I should have gone to college and majored in music, I know that I wouldn't be really good. (as when I practice my flute; my cats not only leave the room but offer comments in the form of loud screeches and low moans. I keep telling them that I have only been playing for two years--and am a late bloomer.) Nursing just seems to come naturally, and I do get satisfaction from helping my patients understand their illness, become proactive and try to focus on wellness. I am now trying my hand at private duty nursing... I am also am interested in learning more about legal consulting. :houra: