I have 2 SN kids, 1, if not 2 (waiting on yet more blood work) will need infusions for the rest of there lives unless they find a cure. There is not a single pediatric home health nurse in this entire flippin county! I know, I've called every agency and there are none. We have no choice but to drive 3 hours every month to a children's hospital in either direction because there are no pedi home health nurses that can come infuse dd. I'm at the point in my college career that I NEED to pick a major and nearly every Dr or nurse I've come into contact with has encouraged me to either go to med school or become a nurse because I'm fairly good at this medical stuff (it comes pretty easy to me). I'm going to talk to the school councilor and see what I would need to do if I wanted to become a nurse (thinking of actually becoming a PA in the very long term) but it got me to thinking. I know others who have gone into there fields because of there own child's issues (I know our RT went into that field because his child had severe asthma) but has anyone else picked a career because of there child and in our case child's own health care needs?
Choosing your career due to your child's SN's?
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I think it sounds like a great idea for you. Do you think its something that you would enjoy doing?
For me, I picked my career because I love it BUT I chose to do WAHM vs finding an agency to work with because of DS's SNs. Between all the appointments, not knowing if a regular daycare would be enough for him etc... me working at hom was the logical choice.
For me, I picked my career because I love it BUT I chose to do WAHM vs finding an agency to work with because of DS's SNs. Between all the appointments, not knowing if a regular daycare would be enough for him etc... me working at hom was the logical choice.
Well, I was a nurse long before I became a mother, but I will tell you it's been a blessing that that was my career since ds has been here. I have had to cut waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back on my hours, BUT....the fact is, I know that pretty much any time I want to work, I probably can, all I have to do is pick up the phone and ask if they need help.
Job security, flexible hours, weekend-only schedules....it's very family friendly.
As for being a physician, NEVER. Never never never never never NEVER. Uh uh. They work like dogs, they are slaves to the beeper, never mind the malpractice insurance and paperwork headaches. Hell no. You couldn't pay me enough to be a physician.
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Job security, flexible hours, weekend-only schedules....it's very family friendly.
As for being a physician, NEVER. Never never never never never NEVER. Uh uh. They work like dogs, they are slaves to the beeper, never mind the malpractice insurance and paperwork headaches. Hell no. You couldn't pay me enough to be a physician.
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I am in my first year of grad school to become a TVI (teacher of the visually impaired), a career path I would never have even heard of, much less considered, before dd was born. There is currently an extreme shortage of teachers for this population, so this career will offer me some of the things I want and need most: good earning potential, flexibility, and opportunity to grow.
Dd also has lots of serious medical issues, and I toyed around for a long time with the idea of becoming a nurse or PA. In the end, I decided against it because I don't think I could handle the stress of that environment on top of the stress from home, seeing as it's so similar. Dd's condition is also relatively unstable -- she's six, and we are still in the process of getting some new, challenging diagnosis, and several of her conditions could deteriorate over time -- so I want a career that can be flexible in allowing me to care for her as needed.
If you are interested in it, though, I'd say that your experiences could make you a wonderful, compassionate medical professional, and there's always a need for more of those!
Dd also has lots of serious medical issues, and I toyed around for a long time with the idea of becoming a nurse or PA. In the end, I decided against it because I don't think I could handle the stress of that environment on top of the stress from home, seeing as it's so similar. Dd's condition is also relatively unstable -- she's six, and we are still in the process of getting some new, challenging diagnosis, and several of her conditions could deteriorate over time -- so I want a career that can be flexible in allowing me to care for her as needed.
If you are interested in it, though, I'd say that your experiences could make you a wonderful, compassionate medical professional, and there's always a need for more of those!
I've been toying with the idea of becoming an OT, PT or something of the like. I registered to go back to school in the winter and am planning to take a few courses in developmental psych and see where it leads. I would love to work with EI or other little kids with special needs in some form.
I was a nursing student in my previous life. Not sure if I want to go back yet. Nursing school is pretty hard, esoecially if you are single and with three kids (one who is disabled) like me. I can't imagine medical school!
I was a nursing student in my previous life. Not sure if I want to go back yet. Nursing school is pretty hard, esoecially if you are single and with three kids (one who is disabled) like me. I can't imagine medical school!
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Can't be to hard when you think about all the time spent in hospitals over the years learning about your own child anyway. Your already ahead of the others just because of experience. Heaven knows we've all taught Dr's and nurses a thing or two
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I'm a single mom with 2 medically fragile kids who are also home schooled (only 1 is school aged, other is a toddler) and so far I've managed to get decent grades in college
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Originally Posted by 3_opihi  I was a nursing student in my previous life. Not sure if I want to go back yet. Nursing school is pretty hard, esoecially if you are single and with three kids (one who is disabled) like me. I can't imagine medical school! |
Can't be to hard when you think about all the time spent in hospitals over the years learning about your own child anyway. Your already ahead of the others just because of experience. Heaven knows we've all taught Dr's and nurses a thing or two
both I and dh work from home, so that we can be with our children, one who is ASD and SID. i was thinking of going to school to learn med trascription/coding and billing or something along those lines to work from home (my current wahm business does not bring in much, it is more of a hobby) and bring home some bacon. we have not decided whether to home school or not, but have been terribly disappointed in the public school system and their shinanigans.
i will not be doing the above because i love it or anything, only to bring home a decent pay with shorter school requirements than a degree, to allow me to stay home to care for our children.
i will not be doing the above because i love it or anything, only to bring home a decent pay with shorter school requirements than a degree, to allow me to stay home to care for our children.
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DH is a physician but his knowledge of anything pediatric is incredibly limited. I have been kicking around with the idea of more college courses in the fall in child development with the intention of someday becoming an OT. I'm just awed by what they do.
I've changed my career path to be more available to my three special needs kids. I like the job I have. I like the hours. It's close to home and I can leave any time the kids need me. I can schedule around their many Doctor appontments. It's not the work I really want to do, but right now I'm happier to be able to be closer to the kids. I loved staying home with them too, when I did that. It doesn't feel like a big sacrafice, but I can't do this for too long as I'm not able to save as I should for retirement, or for their college educations. I figure in two years I can take on more hours, maybe teach in the public school. Teaching will allow me to be more available than some jobs, and have better hours than some, but won't pay as well as some other things I could do, but it'll have a little more of a retirement plan, and scholarships for kids of teachers. One day at a time!
Kiley
Kiley
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