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.