Switching Careers: From Factory Worker to Nursing

How to re-educate yourself for a new career in nursing.

Factory closures in these tough economic times have left many people wondering what to do next. Continuing education and a career shift can provide the answer. Getting an associates degree or attending a private career college to gain valuable skills in the medical field will help you launch yourself into an entirely new career, and begin exploring exciting new options that are available in your community. Even in this tough economy, there are medical needs to be filled and job sectors in the medical field that have employment opportunities where you can find a focus for your drive and ambition.

Career Options: Medical Assistant or Nurse

Depending on the types of jobs and work environments that interest you, there are several kinds of education choices available to you. If you are a people person, you might find it rewarding to be a medical assistant or a nurse. These medical fields are very active, even in tough economic times. And it's easier than ever to go back to school and get that degree at a career college or online school. They have Medical Assistant Professions programs and Nursing programs that will fit your budget and your schedule.

Finding the Right College

Once you determine the right position for you, you’ll want to find the right college or university. If you are looking at a position like medical assistant or medical transcriptionist, you can find private career colleges and junior colleges that offer programs in these fields and meet your scheduling needs. Many schools offer both classroom training and online courses so you can customize your certificate or degree program to fit your busy schedule. Many programs offer small classroom size with a low student-teacher ratio so you get a lot of one-on-one attention from teachers, along with hands-on training in the labs so you’ll feel comfortable when it comes time to assisting patients. And many programs come with internships and career coaching to help you land that first job after you graduate.

Certain career choices build upon education you may already have. For instance, in many states, becoming a nurse means taking some extra classes on top of the bachelors degree that you may currently possess. You might need to spend some time in laboratory classes so you can learn how to administer shots and perform other medical procedures. There will be a certain number of hours of this type of training that you will be required to have to get your license. It all depends on the laws of your state. Check with the licensing board for your state to understand the rules and regulations toward becoming a nurse. Once you know the rules, you can plan your educational strategy. Many 4-year state colleges and universities have nursing programs that are tailored to people who want to work and go to school at the same time, and there are some programs in which students can work in the field and train with medical teams before they've completed their studies so they can get on-the-job-training in live-work environments. This benefits students by giving them some actual experience in the field and putting them in touch with people who might be in a position to hire them after they've completed their education.

Continuing Education – Offering Hope for a Bright New Future!

These tough times don’t have to mean the end of the road for your career. With a little creative thinking and the bright possibilities that continuing education brings, you can open the door to a rewarding future in a brand-new career.