Medical careers
 

Does anybody work in the medical field? :confused:

I've been weighing my options and trying to figure out what I want to begin doing with my life. I'm almost 20, at community college, slow moving but I've got about 30 credits under my belt. I know I'm still young & have time but I don't want to continue taking classes if they're going to be a waste. I do have my English 111, Oral Speech, Intro to Psychology, etc which are all pretty much used for any degree. I have yet to take a math or a science yet because I failed my math placement test which means I have to take 2 non-credit math courses before even getting into a regular algebra class. I'm TERRIBLE at math. :rolleyes: There is an option to re-take this test after taking a 5 day math review type class. Which is what I want to try and do.

The medical field has always been in the back of my mind. It's never what I pictured myself doing... but I love to talk to people, I'm personable and friendly, I enjoy helping people, and it seems like a good career choice at this point in time because it's such a growing field, esp. in this economy.

So at this point my goal would be to get my associates degree in either Radiation Therapy or Physical Therapy Assistant. My college (Anne Arundel Community College - AACC homepage) has pretty reputable programs for these but you have to be accepted and it's definitely hard work, lots of science, which I've never been the best at but I think I could do it.

Does anyone have any first-hand experience of what it's like to work in the medical field? I'm more of a computer girl so I thought my computer skills could tie into something medically.... esp. in radiation therapy. Any other medical careers that you may know about, let me know. How is the hours, pay, work environment, etc? Thanks!

Was an RN......went to school and lasted in the field for about 2 years........Worked in the Surgical Floor and at a State Hospital, then went on to work in Pediatrics.....too many things turned me away....mostly children with terminal illnesses and abuse cases......The other Dr's egos.......
Some can be such $@#$ heads.

I'll be stalking this! :)
I plan to go to school to become a Canine Psychical Therapist/Holistic Vet.

It'll be nice to see what experiences people have in any Medicial Career really!

Cool.....that I could deal with.......

Just please don't become a vet that is now so common......one that is practicing for $$$$$$. Now I understand you need to make a living......but, most vets are putting $$$$ in the forefront instead of the love of the animal.

Yeah, I don't know if I could deal w/ children being sick, that would be hard. I wouldn't want to be an RN just because... well, I don't know, I just see myself specializing in one field, i.e. radiology. Thanks for your input!

Wow! I would love to be a Canine physical therapist!! I need to look more into this. My true passion would be to work with dogs! But most careers you can't make a living off of.

Not true, do you know how much a good handler makes. Have you seen the rigs they drive? Luxury to the max.......That and being able to work with what they love the most....dogs

Wow, so thanks for bringing up canine physical therapy! I just found this.... Canine Rehabilitation Institute | Welcome There's classes available right in Baltimore, 35 mins from me. I'm highly intrigued by this and doing more research.

Before I was disabled I was a medical secretary and then a surgical scheduler. I loved it. I took a course.It had nothing to do with my BA In early childhood education back in 1978.Geesh, I am old. I was always horrible in math and it sounds like you are a people person. Perhaps your college offers a associates degree in medical administration. I think it would be right up your alley! Good luck.
Vicki

I took courses in medical coding. It was fun though I went in a different direction and work in medical billing as a csr at a call center. There are so many directions you can go in. Good luck in anything you choose.

I'm glad you are interested! That is amazing you found some classes near you I actually happened upon the website once, here is another as well Canine Rehabilitation | UT Certification Courses and Seminars

Retired Nurse. Had a great career,, Loved it! Floor nurse, Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Nursing Supervisor, Diabetic Educator. Nursing is a great career with many opportunities in travel/career goals. Good luck with what ever you decide!

I am an RN. I've never worked with really sick people. There are alot of other opportunities out there that allow you to work in non-terminal areas. For instance, I started out as an LPN and worked in a doctor's (OB/Gyn) office while getting more college credits at night. Then I started working at the hospital in the postpartum unit where I got experience with newborns. When I graduated from RN school, I transferred to the NICU unit where I worked with some sick babies but not the micro preemies that may not have a chance of survival. From there, I transferred to the Labor & Delivery unit where I stabilize newborns during and right after delivery. I have the most awesome job in the hospital!

Becoming a nurse was the best decision I've made. I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I work night shift and have to work holidays and some weekends...it is a sacrifice. I can't travel to see family around the holidays, etc. However, I'm a single mom, own my house, own my car.... Nursing has allowed me to be independent.

I've dealt with my share of egotistical doctors but you do need to have some thick skin to be a nurse. It gets better as time goes on. You just have to ignore them. Fortunately, the organization that I work for has no tolerance for that kind of behavior from doctors. They will get written up in a heartbeat!

By the way, I'm horrible in math and I made it through....

I'm taking courses in medical coding right now!
It's challenging!

My Bachelors degree is in Nursing - out of school (at age 28), I managed a gyn. clinic (bc I already had mgmt / lots of experience in human services); I then worked about 7 years for Medtronic in the pacemaker/defib. (implantable) field - traveled all over the U.S. and also to Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Madrid - which was such a tremendous opportunity. So, that's where I think the medical field, in almost any area, can really surprise you - in that soooo many things can be possible. When I was in nursing school, if someone had said "oh, you'll work w/ pacemakers/defibs in the biotech industry, btw" -- I would have just said "um, huh?".

And in the canine industry...really...who knows? Look at the trainer Tamar Gellar...she is Oprah's dog's trainer and was on the Oprah show...I bet she didn't ever predict *that* :D! If you follow your heart/interests...you never know where it might lead.

To me, it sounds like working w/ dogs is sounding really exciting to you...esp. the Canine PT career. Is there anywhere near you where you can shadow a PT?

I work as a registered nurse. I worked 9 yrs in med/surg and the last 7 in hospice. I love what I do!