Taking a fork in the road in my life.

I have made a big decision that will drastically change my life & I finally am able to share it with you all, my Iowa WLS "family". I hope you will be as happy for me as I am. I have mentioned recently that my job is going to end this summer. I am a victim of outsourcing. I work in IT & unfortunately this kind of job can easily be outsourced. I have looked in the want ads & any jobs I am qualified for pay less than 50% of what I get now. So, I've decided to go back to school and finally train to be what I have wanted to be since I was 5 years old. I'm going into nursing. Although I'd love to be a RN, I've decided that at my age it won't be cost effective to go to school 4 years so I'm going to train to be a LPN. I'll start classes July 10 if my manager can arrange to release me by that date. At this point we don't even know when our department will be done and I can't just quit because I'd lose my severance package and the opportunity of drawing unemployment after the severance pay is done. If I am not released in time, I'll start classes in October. Most people are not surprised that I am going into nursing. As a matter of fact, last week at support group I told my surgeon's PA, Angie, I was going to return to school this summer & she just assumed it was for nursing. She said she just knew. I cared for my Mom during her last illness & that revived my interest. Eight years ago, I went back to school and at that time I had to go into a different profession because I knew that physically I could not do the work, due to my excess weight. I recently completed my CPR training. I was able to get on the floor to practice on the dummy, something I couldn't have done 3 years ago. Just one more reason that I am glad I had this surgery. Dixie

That's great Dixie. We have a shortage of nurse's here in Iowa. So many are retiring that hospitals and care centers are hurting for help. With Iowa's population growing older there is a great need for nurses. Just recently I had heared of men getting tuition help if they go into the nursing profession. Are you going to go to Allen? I know you will do great as a nurse. Cindy

Thanks Cindy,I hope I will be a good nurse. I think I will. I agree that there is a nursing shortage. That's a small part of the reason I made this decision. I want to be in a profession that will always have a place for me, whether it's in a hospital, a nursing home, a clinic or even private nursing. I figure I'll be able to work as long as I am physically able. I would love to go to Allen but at my age (55) I can't justify going to school that long or the expense. I checked & it would cost me around $15,000 a year to go there. I'll be attending Hamilton College in Cedar Falls to be a LPN. They have a new nursing program that is just graduating it's first class next month. A bonus is that I attended AIC 8 years ago & Hamilton bought them out. Credits from four of my classes will transfer so that will save me a couple thousand & my class load won't be so heavy. Dixie

Hey that's awsome that you are going to follow your dream of becoming a nurse. I too would love to be a nurse but my weight also holds me back. Plus wearing scrubs is a plus in my book....lol, but i do plan to go to school to be a nurse soon. Good luck with school and i'm sure you will be a wonderful nurse. DeeDee

Ya, DeeDee, our weight problems can really mess up our ives. I think back to all that I missed out on because of my obesity & it makes me so sad. Now, I can do more of those things & nursing is one of them. Hang in there. You'll get there too. By the way, if you are going to go to Genesis in Davenport, you have chosen a great place to have your surgery. They have a great program, both before & after surgery. My cousin had hers there. She ws actually the first patient at Genesis to have her surgery Lap & is doing very well. If you go to the support group meetings you willl probaby meet her. Her name is Barb, She always has a big smile on her face & is very friendly. She's old enough to be your mother but, hey theres nothing wrong with that. Dixie

Way to go Dixie! I'm proud of you! It's never too late to follow your dream as long as you are still alive and kicking! Get your LPN and then if you want, continue for your 2 yr RN. I know quite a few who have done that. You and Jesi will have to compare notes!

Way to go!!! I am excited for you to be starting something that you dreamed of since you were younger. You are never to "young" to learn new things to help yourself out. I just can not wait to have this surgery to "start" my life again...you never know what will happen then. LOL Deanne

Oops I responded to your post when I meant to respond to Lyn. Thanks Deanne. I'm excited too. A couple years ago I helped care for Mom when she was dying of cancer. I knew then that my dream wasn't gone. I'm glad that I have the chance. And now you are starting on the journey for your own dream, having WLS. It does change your life, believe me. And in such good ways. Dixie

Thank Lyn, Yep, Jesi & I will have to compare notes. I suspect that I probably will continue my education to get my RN. I'm one of those who just am not satisfied with the status quo. I love to learn & will want to continue. Oh, if I were only 20 again. I think I'd be a PA or something like that. Dixie

Hi Dixie that is awesome...Good Luck to you,I think you will do wonderful also!!!! Have a great week!! Lori