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| Health careers are the way to go now-a-days. Factory and government jobs are a thing of the past. |
| Cora said at Thursday, May 17, 2007 14:01:05 |
| I agree. Jobs in health care are also very rewarding. Being able to help people that really need it is a blessing. |
| Bonnie said at Thursday, May 31, 2007 10:26:05 |
| Does anybody have a positive experience changing jobs from factory or restaurant work to health care work that you would like to share? Knowing that changing careers is doable and that you found a good job in health care would be good to know about for those of us that are thinking about changing careers! |
| Martis said at Thursday, May 31, 2007 10:30:58 |
| A couple of years ago I completed a program to become a medical assistant. Prior to that I worked as a cashier in a "dollar store". Shortly after completing the program, I found a job with a local podiatrist. My wages and job satisfaction are awesome compared to the job I had prior to completing the medical assistant program. |
| Katie said at Monday, June 11, 2007 10:30:44 |
| Thanks for sharing your story, Katie. Sounds like the wage increase, ease of finding a better job and job satisfaction make it worth the effort to go back to school for a while. |
| Josh said at Thursday, June 14, 2007 14:21:42 |
| I'm wondering if anyone has attended any of the accelerated training programs that are listed under the Education and Training link? I'm thinking about doing this, but wonder if the programs are too rigorous. |
| Bobbie Jo said at Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:01:08 |
| Health Care is the top jobs in Michigan. I have called at least 20 different schools for nursing programs and they are full or have a waiting list. I would like to suggest "The Governor's Team" open up 1 floor in each hospital dedicated to teach core nursing classes. The goal is to have nurses who are qualified to teach complete their shift as a nurse then spend 2 hours teaching nursing students at the hospital. These students will have completed all prereq. nursing courses. I have been to many nursing seminars at colleges and there are HUNDREDS of students who completed nursing prereq. and can't get into a nursing school. So they are without a job and can't get into the nursing field. I have called colleges from Bay City to Detroit all nursing programs are filled or have a 2 year waiting list. This program should be a temporary program for a duration of 10 years. At that time hopefully Michigan will thrive economically again. |
| Pontiac, MI said at Thursday, June 28, 2007 08:02:37 |
| Heatlhcare jobs in Michigan are nurses, speech, occupational pathologists. As far as the rest of us, it is impossible. I have been 4 months searching for a phlebotomist position. I get offered on-call positions, or staffing agencys. I have 10 years experience in a hospital. So good luck to all in medical. I am looking to change careers back to retail, due to not having any money to be able to go to college. |
| Durand, Mi said at Saturday, August 04, 2007 12:24:02 |
| I have trying to become a nurse for the last four years.I just don't understand why there are so many requierments before being accepted, and why the waiting list is so long there are over 10 fast track LPN schools in Ohio the commute is the only problem what is going to be done by this and soon? |
| Tia Tubbs said at Tuesday, August 07, 2007 18:21:05 |
| I have been trying to enter a nursing program for the last four years but when I hear the length on the waiting list it just discourage me.If this field is in demand why is it made so hard to get into. Ohio has over 10 fast track LPN schools why does Michigan not have any? |
| Tia Tubbs said at Tuesday, August 07, 2007 18:25:47 |
| I started out as an LPN 12 yrs ago after working for the auto ind for 8 years. Then did an on-line fast-track in 2003 through Excelsior College and did GREAT! But, just becuase you go into nursing does not mean that you are going to be rich. Nurses do not make enough for the stress that they endure. Being over loaded with patients, short staffed, and dealing with patients lives is stressful and it is a very physical job. Many times doing 12 hour shifts. RN's in Nursing Homes only make $18-$21/hour. In hospitals, maybe $22-$26/hour. Of course if you have a specialy with many years of experience you may make more. Plus benefits are not that great across the board. Seldom is there a retirement program worthy to be excited about, or none at all. Nurses don't make enough for the work that they do and for the stress that they are under. This may help you understand the nursing shortage. So be prepared if you choose this career. -A Michigan RN. |
| Sandy said at Thursday, August 16, 2007 16:19:00 |
| I have been a registered nurse for 21 years and nursing all together 25 years. We are underpaid. Our shift work and holiday hours we are expected to work are very difficult. We are so short staffed we are mandated by our employer to work on our days off at times and 16 hour shifts. A nurse who is exhausted is dangerous. We have to make life and death decisions in my setting and it can be brutal. We receive no support from our employer but quick disciplinaries when trivial infractions occurr with the threat of loosing your nursing liscence. Choose your employer wisely. They are not there to protect your best interests. Would I become an RN knowing what I know now? Sadly the answer is no. I have missed too many family and friend social events and children's activities because of mandatory overtime. Life is too short to spend all my time working at a thankless job. Many will not agree but they have not walked in my nursing duty shoes for the same employer for almost 20 years. I assure you my 25 colleagues agree with me. Live your life and love your children and family and don't spend a minute being ordered to work with threat of dismissal. |
| EUP MDoC RN said at Wednesday, August 22, 2007 04:49:09 |
| We keep hearing that there is going to be something done about the nursing shortage but nothing been done yet. Why are we being denied a education to become a nurse, why do we keep hearing that there is not enough clinical spaces there are enough hospitals/nursing homes to provide us with the apprpiate space for clinicals that is just an excusa to prolong the education.You want us to become nurses but give us the run around so mant pre-requirements and a very long waiting list.How much longer do we have to wait. Get us a fast track LPN school. |
| T.Nave said at Thursday, August 23, 2007 22:19:59 |
| Actually, many Michigan colleges offer accelerated training programs in health related fields. Copy and paste this link http://www.michigan.gov/nwlb/0,1607,7-242-44644_44670---,00.html for an interactive map of schools that offer these programs. |
| Doreen said at Friday, August 24, 2007 15:09:14 |
| I didn't attend college right after high school because I was not ready. I spent several years working retail making little over minimum wage. Eventually, I got married and had children. When the kids were old enough to go to school, I went back too. I started taking nursing pre-req's at a local community college. After a few years, I had all I needed to apply to an RN program, only to find there was a two year wait. I decided to get in to a fast track LPN program and get some experience underneath my belt. It was a great decision. I recieved a lot of clinical experience and shaved over a year off the RN program. I was also able to work per diem at night while my husband stayed at home with the kids. For any of you who are head strong, like I was about not becoming an LPN, rethink it. You might find it rewarding and valuable. Once you have some experience try a Temp Agency. You can tell them when you want to work and they will try to fit you in and/or call you when they have a need. I found this alleviates burnout and I can work around school trips, doctor's appointments and summer vacation. Although the benefits aren't as good, it has been well worth the trade-off. Hope this helps. |
| Okinawa said at Thursday, August 30, 2007 06:29:34 |
| I am looking at going to school to be come a Health Records Technician. Does any one know anything about this career? Is there a demand? I am Canadian, would I be able to get a working Visa for this type of job? |
| Nicole said at Friday, September 07, 2007 14:35:13 |
| I have read all the posts on nursing careers in this blog. Most list the reasons I chose dental hygiene as my profession. The hours are better, no on-calls, no weekends and holidays. When I became licensed 14 years ago, there was a shortage of hygiensts in Michigan, offices were begging for us. I could walk in and get hired on the spot---no resume! Times have changed. The field is now saturated with hygienists'. I recently moved across the state and am job searching. There are very few opportunities for DH, they are ususally for 1-2 days a week or to fill-in for a maternity leave. Offices that advertise for a position will receive 80-100 resumes for a part-time or temporary position. I have been working for minimum wage in retail (tight job market) just to pay my bills. My lifestyle has drastically changed, I took advantage of my time off (because I can not find a DH job or full-time work elsewhere) and enrolled in an online course. I will have a BSBA in management/marketing in May 2008. I hope this will open the doors for new career opportunities. |
| Kelly RDH said at Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:28:44 |
| Nursing is what you make out of it. It can be a drag after being out of school. It can be a extremely good high when a patient gets the idea and gets better. There are hundreds of fields with in the fieldof Nursing. You can be a traveling Nurse seeing different parts of the country. You can specialize in different fields. you can work in the missonary field oversea's. The best nursing level is A bacholars in nursing. Also an associate with a Bacholars in another field. A career in Nursing is what you make out it. It will be your choice and your actions that make the field good or bad. |
| Dennis said at Monday, November 26, 2007 14:36:49 |
| I agree with that nursing is a very stressful carreer; many times only part-time work, call offs due to low census,or long hours, mandated overtime, short staff, high pt.acuity levels, not so great employee benefits (often times a nurse cannot afford the health insurance, if you still want a paycheck left), and the always-present fear that you may be sued for trying to save someone's life or limb, not to mention the fact that you have to put up with many "Medical Providers" who treat you like crap. Sometimes a wonder what I was thinking when I decided to become an RN. I have been strongly leaning towards leaving the profession, and really enjoy my life and family; no more working holidays, weekends, mandatory overtime, and putting up with other's attitudes. I only want to say to anyone intending to go into the profession that you must remember (something I was told when I was going into the field) "Nurses will and do eat their young", so be prepared. I take great pride in my patient care, and the satisfaction of knowing that maybe i made a diffence to someone and their families, but if that's the case, I could do the same by slinging hash and putting out a good meal. Only you can decide what's right for you, and you won't know until you try, so GOOD LUCK. |
| CL Anderson said at Saturday, December 08, 2007 05:00:54 |
| If you like working for less than your worth, no days off, mandatory overtime, decreasing benefits, a high stress environment and no time with your family then nursing is your career. I have been working for 15 years in this field. You would think that in the face of the so called nursing shortages which we nurses expierence in our every day work environments that we would be afforded alittle more gratitude from our employers in terms of monetary rewards, benefits and retirement. Don't get me wrong, when you make a difference in a Pt's life it does make you feel good but with the increasing workloads it is difficult to ensure each Pt receives the attention they deserve. If I was to do it all again, i would consider being a plumber, carpenter or electrician. they make more money and you aren't responsible for peoples lives. |
| EUP nurse said at Monday, December 17, 2007 21:36:08 |
| I am going for Medical Billing and Coding. I thought about Nursing but the stress and awful hours deterred my interest. I would love to help people but the thought of low reward and appreciation scared me away from it. I really with there were more careers in the Veterinary field too. I think I could deal with that and really enjoy it at the same time. |
| grandhaven said at Friday, December 28, 2007 18:08:41 |
| In nursing you either love it or you hate it. I think people just go into it thinking they are going to make alot of money, but that is not always the case. I have a friend that will graduate from a nursing program in May and she absolutely loves it. She is busy all the time, helps people, it fits her lifestyle. There are a lot of people who will get into the program and never make it, purely because it is not what they really want to do. Nursing is a field you have to enjoy or at least not mind. With anything if you really want it you will do it. |
| Julene said at Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:20:12 |
| Wow, so sad that the nurses that have responded to your message are the ones that feel stressed and under-paid. I have worked in the health field for over 20 years, the last 10 as an LPN. I love my job. I do think it stinks that it is so hard for people to get into a nursing program, and I have had the same trouble trying to go back to get my RN. Wait lists, retaking classes, this changed...that changed. So I have since been working on the excelsior program. As far as pay, why is it that people always feel no matter what job they are in that they are under paid? If we could all say..hmmmm I am worth 30 or 40 bucks an hour wouldn't we? But be realistic, you are probably not going to get rich as a nurse, but it can be comfortable. I have seen a significant increase in wages over the past 10 years. Finding the right employer is important, if it is not right...don't stay and be miserable for 20 years...duhhh what sense does that make? I have moved around a bit, but now have found a great place to work. Yes you have to give up some holidays and weekends.. but come on.. it is a flexable job.. you can work around school, kids.. you have to want to. I worked weekends while my kids were in school.. and my 20 year old just said to me a couple of weeks ago.. Mom I dont remember you being gone all the time when I was little. So even though I worked a lot of weekends, my kids had me with them during the week. Again it is what you make it. Good luck! |
| T in Mi said at Wednesday, January 16, 2008 20:30:25 |
| iam intrested in returning to school- surgical tech or specializing in gerontology with the surgical tech it would be 2yeaars before i coluld qualify for the program .with gerontology i might be able to start the course work now but i really need a full time job also any suggestions criticisms... |
| alice in mi said at Sunday, January 27, 2008 15:35:29 |
| Another medical career one might consider is medical imaging which includes Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, X-ray, CAT scan, MRI. The length of the programs vary by the modality. There is also a wait in some instances to get into programs. I have worked in x-ray and CT for over 25 years and would highly recommend it to others. While it's true that most jobs in the medical field are stressful, imaging is much different than nursing because you have patients under your care for short periods of time, 10-60 minutes or so. The biggest stressor is faulty, malfuntioning equipment. The key is to provide them with the best care you can in the time alloted. The salary range is good and there are the usual nights, weekends, and holidays. Often, imaging technologists are viewed as "button pushers" by some in allied health who do not fully appreciate what we do and how we do it. Good luck to all who choose health care as a profession no matter what career path you choose. You are all special people!! |
| B said at Thursday, January 31, 2008 14:18:52 |
| I am looking for work in the health care field. Just to get my foot in the door I can start of as a patient transporter, Housekeeper. I live in the Metro Detroit area. My question is what hospital is hiring now. If someone would like to help me. my e-mail address is white5red@yahoo.com |
| Sandra said at Saturday, March 01, 2008 11:44:46 |
| I have been in healthcare for close to 30 years off and on and love it...yea I had other jobs but always come back to helping people...more rewarding than money...sometimes...love the smile I usually leave on someone's face....:}:} |
| Terri said at Thursday, March 20, 2008 13:34:56 |
| I am a new 'empty nester" and figured this would be the perfect time for me to continue my education. I quit a 19 yr. part time gov. job due to severe cut backs of my hours(talk about STRESS!) My new chosen field is NURSING. Due to my financial situation I never thought I would be able to do this. Due to the economy of Mi. I find myself with no job for over a year. I am now working with the NO WORKER LEFT BEHIND program through Mi. Works. I met all the criteria, and have completed ALL of MY portion of the required work that is set forth by them. I Was supposed to start this summer sememster for my pre req's to the LPN program. Well..... summer registration has come and GONE! and still no word from Mi. works. When I contacted them as to what should I do now? Their answer was "I don't know".I am a little discouraged and highly disapointed that they didn't do ALL THEIR required work in a timely fashion as I had so dilligently completed mine. Makes me think the program may not be as WONDERFUL as GOV. Granholm thinks it is. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions for other options? I will NOT give up on my future nursing career I just need other avenues and ideas. |
| debbie from northern mi. said at Tuesday, May 20, 2008 09:00:53 |
| I HAVE A DEGREE IN RADIOGRAPHY FROM FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY I GRADUATED MAY O6 AND FINISHED MY INTERN AUG 06 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A JOB IN MICHIGAN SINCE THEN, IVE PUT IN MANY APPLICATION WIT NO LUCK WHATSOEVER AND ITS SAD AND DEPRESSING!!! IF ANY1 KNOWS OF ANY OPEN POSITIONS PLZ EMAIL ME AT MSCAPRICORN81@YAHOO.COM |
| C L WILLIAMS said at Wednesday, May 28, 2008 09:38:02 |
| I have been privileged to work as a respiratory therapist for 20 years and I have always had good pay and challenging satisfying work right here in Michigan. I also feel that sleep is a hot field. |
| D. North RRT said at Monday, June 16, 2008 01:35:27 |
| I was a GM/Delphi employee for over 10 years. I loved the money but hated the "shop life" . My days consisted of long hours on my feet with no sense of satisfaction at the end of my shift. At 32 years old, I was given the opportunity to take a buyout in the fall of 2006. With the instability in the manufacturing sector in Michigan, I did not want to work another 10 years and be out of a job. I took the buyout and with God's help and the support of my wife and family, I have returned to school at the University of Michigan Flint. I will begin my second semester of a 3 year BSN program in the fall and I cannot begin to tell you how rewarding it has been. I read some people on here saying how nursing pay is not worth it sometimes, but take it from me, I made good money in the shop and money isn't everything! |
| Fitz from swartz creek said at Tuesday, June 17, 2008 20:08:30 |
| I have worked in the healthcare for 18 years, for two different large systems. The first one is located in Detroit and had a suburban hospital. I was very aware of a real disinterest in educating their current employees. They went so far as to import nurses from the Phillpines to fill "vacancies" . They already had employees who were dedicated to their employer and only needed a financial backer to help them move up the ladder. I saw very little insite in the way the system sought to fill their nursing and other shortages. They put the full burden on the individual when they could have helped everyone with some inhouse process. It begs the question, is their really a shortage or just poor management models that miss the obvious; more staff and get off poeple's backs about minor (not major) infractions. They are more than generous to themselves. Have you ever heard of a Human Resources dept. who was called on the carpet for their lack of follow-thru. I haven't. |
| Jean / Wyandotte said at Tuesday, June 24, 2008 20:56:37 |
| HAVE A DEGREE IN RADIOGRAPHY FROM FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY I GRADUATED MAY O6 AND FINISHED MY INTERN AUG 06 I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A JOB IN MICHIGAN SINCE THEN, IVE PUT IN MANY APPLICATIONS WITH NO LUCK WHATSOEVER AND ITS SAD AND DEPRESSING!!! IF ANY1 KNOWS OF ANY OPEN POSITIONS IN THE MUSKEGON/HOLLAND/GRAND RAPIDS AREA PLZ EMAIL ME AT MSCAPRICORN81@YAHOO.COM |
| CL WILLIAMS said at Wednesday, July 09, 2008 15:19:35 |
| I feel I should let people know out there that I have been working with mi. works for well over a year now. I have been working with them towards financial aid through the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) program. Which I qualified for. Lots of promises, tons of work on my part; research research research, learning, testing, forms & paprework, leg work, gas money, tons of phone calls,faxes, interviews that I conducted for my chosen field (NURSING) meeting with advisors for classes, setting upp class scedueles, cost estimations,the whole FAFSA finanial aid route, meeting deadlines, time limits,missed 3 registration dates due to mi. works 'lack of information'. Now remember when I said its been over a year? I just learned that the program I have been doing ALL this work towards, THE NURSING PROGRAM is no longer available through the NWLB program. WOW!!!! Did I ever learn alot!! |
| Debbie from northern mi. said at Sunday, July 20, 2008 12:16:53 |
| What good is it to get a college education in healthcare now anyway? I just graduated and can not get a job in health care because all surrounding hospitals have a "hiring freeze going on!" |
| Deanna said at Wednesday, February 04, 2009 13:07:43 |
| I am currently a MA student and will graduate Jan, 2010, I am just about finished with my radiography class. I was told to contact the state of Mich to find out if they offer a basic tech cert, or license. Does any one know who I would contact, or if the state does offer this. Steve, staylor57@ymail.com |
| Steve Taylor said at Wednesday, February 11, 2009 18:41:25 |
| All of your comments are very helpful...I am trying to decide what to do next as I am an older worker - 50yrs young. It gets tricky at this age. |
| Kay said at Monday, April 20, 2009 15:46:39 |
| I am someone who is actually in the healthcare field in a very unique job, not coming per se from a healthcare major in school. I work as a PCRS field worker/DIS (Disease Intervention Specialist) for a health dept in Michigan, and I've found the work very rewarding and challenging so far. I moved from wanting to work in the non-profit public health setting, to working for the county govt as a healthcare worker. It's rewarding, the pay is good for my background, and it seems like there are many career opportunities after this. I'm not a nurse, PA, or any other technically trained healthcare worker; I'm basically a counselor. It's fascinating work, I love the challenge, and I'm very happy with my job. So, healthcare is very broad - it's not limited to just nurses and doctors. |
| Chris said at Monday, May 11, 2009 22:37:08 |
| I'm going to school to become a radiology technician. I aspire to work midnights in a trauma center, my only problem is trying to find a job with what I have learned so far, and becoming a valuable asset in the medical field. I just wish I could get into it now. I would love to be able to help people. |
| crazyangelx72 said at Thursday, May 21, 2009 00:51:48 |
| I have completed the NWLB program which was good. Now since I do not have any experience I still can't get a job! What's next? How do you get experience? |
| Sal said at Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:33:06 |
| I changed my career from Programmer Analyst to Respiratory Therapy due to my compassioante nature and wish to serve people to bring some smile on their faces. I was excited to work on RT career and felt blessed after serving my patients and bringing smile on their faces, but feel disappointed with my decision of changing my career. My own experience: too much politics and back stabbing in the health care field, its difficult to stay with your own smile, if you are a real caring and sincere healthcare worker. No problem with my patients but colleagues? feel regret! |
| A friend said at Wednesday, July 22, 2009 02:02:40 |
| I am a respiratory therapist and a single mom of, feels like a contraindication now. It is very difficult to find a day time position so you could manage with your child, 80% jobs are in the hospitals and they offer mid-night positions. Doesn't matter how much you like your work, getting a job itself is a problem. I am kind of getting hopeless in finding a open position in this rewarding career, I used to love one time but still looking... |
| RT said at Wednesday, July 22, 2009 02:18:15 |
| Live in the Grand Rapids area. Want to go back to school for LPN. GRCC has a 3 year waiting list. Does anyone know of a good school to go to? |
| SusieQ said at Sunday, September 13, 2009 19:29:16 |
| Working selfemployed in the healthcare field is very rewarding. It's a wonderful field to get into and there are so many different avenues and directions you can take it. For instance, I just do house calls as a mobile chiropractor. http://www.nanogreens-10.com |
| DrDave said at Sunday, October 04, 2009 16:09:16 |
| I am a Medical Assistant. I graduated 2 years ago. The Drs office I worked in would rather have externs doing the work then paying someone 9.00 an hour. I want to go back to school for nursing. Every school I have checked with told me that my Math english and computers class credits are non-transferable. Even though I attended an accredited school and was told by the school they were. I know have to retake all the pre reqs in order to get into any Nursing program. And the waiting list are anywhere from 2-6 years long. Is there a school that is excellerated in teaching Nursing in Southern MI |
| Jeanette said at Monday, October 05, 2009 22:30:33 |