Switching careers, faith oriented career options for an ex-nurses aid

[catsnbats]

For years I worked as a nurses aid in a nursing home and absolutely LOVED my job. It was so stressful and emotionally draining, but I journeyed with people who were dying or wished they were, people who felt abandoned by their children and left to suffer and die alone. It is such beautiful work.

Alas, my own health is quite poor now and I’m forced to retrain and find a new career. I’m in my mid twenties and am in love with my Catholic faith. I want my new career to be very faith oriented. I’d become a nun if my health were better!! But I just don’t know what’s out there for someone with my interests.

This is what really makes me tick and what I would do for free:
-Supporting those going through difficult times (emotional/psychological/physical support, doesnt matter. I just like to help and journey with those who are struggling)
-Mass
-Visiting the sick
-Faith studies (going to be leading a city wide study in September. eek!!!)
-Worship

I have very strong organizational skills and I’m told I have great leadership qualties but truthfully I’m quite shy and am a little intimidated to be the leader, but God is certainly asking me to lead this city wide faith study so…

So all those things I listed are more volunteer stuff in my mind. I vould organize awesome worship nights or lead all kinds of faith studies and visit all the sick people in the world, but that wont pay the bills!! I’m a convert to Catholicism (converted years ago) and so I dont really know what’s out there for people with my skills and interests. I really am pretty limited physically, so I cant do anything that involves even moderate exercise. But in thebfuture, hopefully, I’ll be able to walk around like a normal person.

Yes I’m willing to go back to school.

 

[His_helpmeet]

Given that you enjoy helping people emotionally, I wonder if it might be an option for you to consider becoming a counsellor. You might even be able to specialize in something such as grief counselling.

 

[tawny]

For years I worked as a nurses aid in a nursing home and absolutely LOVED my job. It was so stressful and emotionally draining, but I journeyed with people who were dying or wished they were, people who felt abandoned by their children and left to suffer and die alone. It is such beautiful work.

Alas, my own health is quite poor now and I’m forced to retrain and find a new career. I’m in my mid twenties and am in love with my Catholic faith. I want my new career to be very faith oriented. I’d become a nun if my health were better!! But I just don’t know what’s out there for someone with my interests.

This is what really makes me tick and what I would do for free:
-Supporting those going through difficult times (emotional/psychological/physical support, doesnt matter. I just like to help and journey with those who are struggling)
-Mass
-Visiting the sick
-Faith studies (going to be leading a city wide study in September. eek!!!)
-Worship

I have very strong organizational skills and I’m told I have great leadership qualties but truthfully I’m quite shy and am a little intimidated to be the leader, but God is certainly asking me to lead this city wide faith study so…

So all those things I listed are more volunteer stuff in my mind. I vould organize awesome worship nights or lead all kinds of faith studies and visit all the sick people in the world, but that wont pay the bills!! I’m a convert to Catholicism (converted years ago) and so I dont really know what’s out there for people with my skills and interests. I really am pretty limited physically, so I cant do anything that involves even moderate exercise. But in thebfuture, hopefully, I’ll be able to walk around like a normal person.

Yes I’m willing to go back to school.

How about returning to school for a degree in Theology. You can then become a Director of Religious Education or instructor in RCIA/CCD.

 

[Casilda]

Catholic Home Health Services, Catholic Social Services. I’ve met angels who work for these organizations, cant say enough.

 

[FrenzyJen]

School nurse at a parochial school?

 

[Caroline723]

I assume you need to work to support yourself, or do you qualify for short-term disability?

If you need to support yourself, I would suggest that you look for anything that you can do that pays the bills. Being physically disabled is going to severely limit your options. I am not sure what type of job you could get in healthcare, other than a per diem patient sitter (like for a suicide watch).

You imply that this is a temporary physical ailment. Is it a job-related injury and can you get disability? If so, why not use it as an opportunity to return to school? Have you thought about going back to school to be an RN? It sounds like you really enjoy palliative and hospice care.

There is a program at my hospital called AgeWise, and there are nursing assistants (LNAs) that are trained in this program who work with the elderly (name removed by moderator)atient population by engaging them in daily physical and social activities so they don’t decline in the hospital. The LNAs have special training and are certified. Perhaps you could use this time to become certified in something you are interested in.

 

[catsnbats]

I assume you need to work to support yourself, or do you qualify for short-term disability?

If you need to support yourself, I would suggest that you look for anything that you can do that pays the bills. Being physically disabled is going to severely limit your options. I am not sure what type of job you could get in healthcare, other than a per diem patient sitter (like for a suicide watch).

You imply that this is a temporary physical ailment. Is it a job-related injury and can you get disability? If so, why not use it as an opportunity to return to school? Have you thought about going back to school to be an RN? It sounds like you really enjoy palliative and hospice care.

There is a program at my hospital called AgeWise, and there are nursing assistants (LNAs) that are trained in this program who work with the elderly (name removed by moderator)atient population by engaging them in daily physical and social activities so they don’t decline in the hospital. The LNAs have special training and are certified. Perhaps you could use this time to become certified in something you are interested in.

No, I dont qualify for disability support, my medical issues are not work related. I was born with some chronic health issues that have been flaring for months now. My team of doctors does not know if my health will ever be normal again, but they say there is still some hope. They cant do anything to fix it, I just have to wait and hope the symptoms go away on their own and find a new job in the meantime! I’m physically limited because of exhaustion, so while I can move around just fine, I find normal everyday things that everyone does like cooking, eating etc just so tiring. So if the job isnt one that you can do while sittig down basically the entire time, I cant do it because then I wont have enough energy to get dressed and make food the next day.

I do love palliative care though. If I end up as a secretary somewhere because I cant think of a better desk job, I’ll volunteer to visit clients of my local hospice.