Torn
Hey guys,
I thought I’d write about some recent events in my life that I am a bit torn over.
To start I just got promoted…yay me! lol…I was honesty rather surprised bc I didn’t study for the exam, nor did i take it remotely seriously bc I had no plans of staying in. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE my job and all that I’ve learned and exerienced…BUT it’s not easy.
ONE DAY…I would like to meet some one I can settle down with…and start a family. I’m definately NOT in a rush nor am I looking honestly. I’m just kind of doing my own thing and focusing on work while I’m recovering…..oh and thank you all for the well wishes and prayers. I really really really appreciate it! It mean alot to me.
But since I’ve made E5 it’s got me thinking. I don’t feel like …Idk..like i’ve done enough…if that makes sense?! I want to do more. I want to see more. I feel like I’ve become complacent in my current command that I’m limiting myself on all that there is to see. My contract ends NOV09 and I need to make a decision quickly…I’m feeling the pressure.
On the other hand…if I get out..I can always go to school. (i’ve been going to school while I’ve been in a only have a few more classes until I start nursing school) But nursing has sort of lost it’s allure to me. I love helping people…i’m naturally a nuturer. I just don’t feel "prepared" to get out. It’s such a big transition…am I ready for this?
My dear friend from Corps School is stationed on Camp pendleton, CA. She is having a blast! I’m SERIOUSLY considering going to Field Medical School in Camp Lejeune, NC (which i tried really hard to do during the end of 2008 but with no luck) and then taking orders to Camp Pendleton with the Marines. I joined (my father and brother are Marines so I’m biased.lol jk) to initially go with them, but was never able to due to whatever circumstancial reason they gave me each time. But, sometimes I find myself thinking I’m 23…I never go out…ok I do but rarely…I work ALL THE TIME ( I have a second job) I just feel like I need to have fun, stop being so darn up tight and goody goody…get a change of pace going, and refocus! I really want to deploy to Afganistan. It will be good for me…I really enjoy being deployed plus i can save a bunch more money before i get out too. But staying in will prolong my degree. I’d like to get my masters in Anesthesia one day!
I really love my job…but am i limiting myself? I don’t want to have any regrets.
Questions….questions… suggestions?
Am I whining? Oh goodness…stop me if I am. lol.
June 8, 2009 at 8:48 pm
WOW you got a lot going on in your life! Just to give you some personal advice from a perfect stranger lol I am a coulda, woulda, shoulda! I must tell you that you need to do what makes you happy…and I mean really happy! The deployment sounds very interesting and I am sure you would get to see a lot being over there…exposure to other cultures and people. It really opens a person up to knew things. I also know that education and school is a huge part of life. I have a college drgree and I had a chance to go further with my education and blew it for all the wrong reasons. School is important and u say nursing lost it’s appeal to you…maybe you found your answer in your own writing. Bottom line you do what makes you happy and what you can look back on and say "that defines me" oh and no no whining was noticed lol
June 20, 2009 at 5:46 pm
My advice is way too long to give in an email but I’ll try. I have lots of suggestions and I know alot about school(s), government and private sectors, medical field and the military, though I was never in. As for school, I have done my fair share but may go back for a second master’s. Learning is not a terminal endeavor.
I think becoming a Nurse Anesthatist (sp?) is a good idea. Very lucrative and flexible. Many baby booners will be older and sicker in the coming years, there will always be work. I don’t think it is possible to get a master’s in Anesthesia. I think you need a master of nursing with a specialty in anesth. You could also look at Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Be sure the school you attend i a school that is NATIONALLY accredited and not regional or local. Waste of time and money. LPN is a waste of time as well. Go RN. With an LPN, you put in all the work and only half the reward. You could make the switch to the Nurse Corps and see if the USN will pay for it much the way they do with SWO’s who want to become JAGs.
As for the military, it’s a great gig. You are young, enjoy it. It is a great career and you’ll be 38 and you can retire and do something else. It seems like a long way off but it comes quicker than you think. Maybe you just need a change in the military and not leave the military. Change promotes growth. It’s no beter on the outside, there is good and bad in everything…truly.
The economy is tough right now so it makes money-sense to stay in. Very secure work. Why not try to get into the Naval Academy program and go officer?
If nursing has lost it’s appeal, study something that is marketable. Most jobs can be done without a dgree but the way things are set up, the one who jumps through the most hoops wins (read: go to college). By getting a degree, you will have both mil exp. and education. Very difficult to turn away for a job.
Also do school in class vice online. You don’t have the benefit of the socratic method and part of school is making connections with people who may be in a position to be help you in the future. The expression it’s not what you know, it’s who you know is very true. Education/knowledge is only half of it. The other half is connections and recognizing good opportunities.
There are many ways to be happy. Why can’t you do it all?
The way I see it, you can model part time, stay in the military, go officer and meet someone nice with kids and the whole thing while still seeing and doing. No one says that seeing and doing ever has to stop. The world is a big place with lots to do and see.
I’m sorry for any typos, I’m educated but not a great typist.
Let me know what you think and we can talk more. Hope this helps.
Life is a one lap race.
Life is not a dress rehearsal.