[jifnif]

Hi, I am currently going back to school for nursing. I have one year before I start my clinicals and just wondered two things:

1. What type of work did a lot of you do to maintain an income? (I have a family that depends on my income)

2. How and when do you specialize? (I am a licensed aesthecian and CPC and want to get into plastic surgery and trauma.)

[katyv]

I started out on a Med-Surg Unit until I decided where I wanted to go. I have worked in alot of specialty areas since then (ICU,L&D,Cath Lab, PACU and now in Dialysis)Clinicals may help you decide where you might want to be. Eventually, you could maybe work with a Plastic Surgeon with your aesthecian background. My friend tried to go to a Spa with her aesthecian and RN, but it was really hard to make any money.

[jifnif]

Thanks for the response. I have attempted the spa and it is hard money. There is money to be made but the hours aren't the greatest if you have a family and the best places are city based. I am hoping that after I start my clinicals I will find a place to start. How do you network prior to being a nurse? Are there any organizations based in one's local area?

[katyv]

I couldn't tell you where you would network. You might look into working as a tech in the hospital or clinic. It would get you into a "system" and give you a leg up on people with no experience.