Need help choosing a career

[MovingTarget]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Yep, the state board will fry you, sorry.

One DUI & you're in for a world of hurt, my buddies that have gotten nailed usually move to another state rather quickly, and nowdays with electronic records & stuff, you'll never live it down...

This is true. Used to be they would only do an extensive background search for jobs that were really high-liability, but nowadays with the click of a mouse they can quickly and cheaply get the info. I've known several people who have things like that on their records and potential employers treat them like they killed ten people. Even if you had, your chances would be about the same. Interviewers seem to trust computers more than their own instincts. Did this person commit a crime anytime in the last 4 decades? <clicks mouse> Yes. <sounds of resumé going through shredder> Even if you have tried to truly better yourself, your past will haunt your efforts.

 

[BoomerD]

My daughter looked into becoming an EMT/Paramedic, but because she has one petty theft on her record, they told her not to waste her time taking the courses because she wouldn't be able to pass the state licenceing board...for one stupid petty theft charge...

(Damn, I TOLD her that would haunt her for years to come...fucking dumbass...)

I agree that with 3 DUI's you probably won't get anywhere in the nursing field. How could you NOT know or at least suspect that would be a factor?

 

[alkemyst]

another attempt at ATOT's pwnage of the year.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just to clarify,

There is no way in hell you'll be accepted into a nursing program if they know about your DUI's

After you talked with the state board they hung up & laughed their asses off. They fingerprint you now & do a thorough background check.

Nearly employers do a criminal check and a credit check nowdays, if you manage to slip past the state board for some reason.

My metro area even has an additional check & balance, they (the major hospitals) formed a corporation that claims to do credit checks, but they also share employment/background information and if you screw up at one hospital, or get gigged with any kind of conviction (including misdemeanors) you're blackballed for life from all the hospitals in the metroplex. It keeps them from reporting stuff to the state board (expensive & time consuming) and keeps "bad" nurses and allied health care professionals from hospital hopping to cover up problems.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123
I have 3 DUI's in 5 years and was going to be a nurse...BUT
After doing extensive research on EtG alcohol testing, I realize I would be putting my entire life in the hands of a test that even the creator of the test says is unfair and inaccurate.

I've currently gone over a year without a drink, but I WANT TO BE THE ONE to make that choice...On top of this no one can even guarantee that I would be able to get a nursing job anyway. YES I HAVE CONTACTED THE BOARD OF NURSING THEY WILL NOT SAY ANYTHING.

I commend you for going so long without a drink, but you need to not make yourself out to be a victim of circumstances. The problem is not the test, the problem is the situation you've put yourself in by getting three DUIs (and I'm sure those weren't the only three times you drank and drove).

 

[jandrews]

my last girlfriend was a nurse. Anyway, the thing about being a male nurse is there is a ton of girls at your work and a large amount of them are good looking. Most guys work in a field that is full of other men nothing wrong with being surrounded by good looking women all day.

 

[ahurtt]

Hmmm. . .3 DUI's inside 5 years? I don't think you're smart enough to be working in a hospital. Not even as the janitor. You carelessly risk the lives of countless innocent people by drinking and driving all the time and yet you want to get a job where you are supposed to CARE for people and potentially hold their lives in your hands?? WTF!? . . .

Here's your career path.

How the hell are you not in jail anyway?

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: ahurtt
Hmmm. . .3 DUI's inside 5 years? I don't think you're smart enough to be working in a hospital. Not even as the janitor. You carelessly risk the lives of countless innocent people by drinking and driving all the time and yet you want to get a job where you are supposed to CARE for people and potentially hold their lives in your hands?? WTF!? . . .

Here's your career path.

How the hell are you not in jail anyway?

After a first offense you can get a 2nd + 3rd DUI just by having a .01 BAC and standing next to your car, you know.

 

[LookatmeABC123]

I got the first when I was 19...it was a slap on the wrist, and no I never got the message. The 2nd and 3rd came within a 3 month period, so the sting of the 2nd never set in because it hadn't gone to court yet. If I hadn't gotten the 3rd so quickly I think I would have been able to learn from my actions. I am currently in a YEAR LONG court-ordered rehab program. After consideration, I would be willing to submit to EtG for the rest of my life if that is what it took. Let me clarify something with EtG also: If you can pass an EtG test it DEFINITIVELY proves that you are not drinking. It is not possible to fool that test. The only problem I was referring to is it can trigger false positives through hand sanitizers and colognes, etc.

Please refrain from linking my intelligence to my DUI convictions. I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother. As hard as it is, I try to live by the mantra that "Today is the first day of the rest of my life." (Note: I said I TRY TO)

Regardless of what anyone thinks of me, if I was subject to EtG testing, then there is no reason to hold my alcoholic past against me. The problem is, it looks like I am already DEAD in the eyes of much of the world...And again, if there are any nurses in similar situations or know of someone who is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me...

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123
I got the first when I was 19...it was a slap on the wrist, and no I never got the message. The 2nd and 3rd came within a 3 month period, so the sting of the 2nd never set in because it hadn't gone to court yet. If I hadn't gotten the 3rd so quickly I think I would have been able to learn from my actions. I am currently in a YEAR LONG court-ordered rehab program. After consideration, I would be willing to submit to EtG for the rest of my life if that is what it took. Let me clarify something with EtG also: If you can pass an EtG test it DEFINITIVELY proves that you are not drinking. It is not possible to fool that test. The only problem I was referring to is it can trigger false positives through hand sanitizers and colognes, etc.

Please refrain from linking my intelligence to my DUI convictions. I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother. As hard as it is, I try to live by the mantra that "Today is the first day of the rest of my life." (Note: I said I TRY TO)

Regardless of what anyone thinks of me, if I was subject to EtG testing, then there is no reason to hold my alcoholic past against me. The problem is, it looks like I am already DEAD in the eyes of much of the world...And again, if there are any nurses in similar situations or know of someone who is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me...

hahahah

i so hope you are never a nurse or anything where you have control over others. hell i hope you never get to drive again.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Be a prison guard. That way when you get thrown in the slammer after DUI #18/manslaughter you will at least have an opportunity to befriend your new lovers beforehand.

 

[CycloWizard]

Despite what everyone else in this thread thinks, I don't see the OP making any excuses. I see him attempting to remedy his past wrongs and move on with his life. There isn't a single person here who hasn't done something wrong in their time, yet you all freely condemn him for getting DUIs because that is the crime du jour (that, and child molesting) that make headlines. It's very easy for those who have never known a recovering alcoholic to make such rash judgments, and it's very easy for the rest of us to applaud the OP for what he's accomplished and wish him the best in overcoming something that is really a terrible disease.

That said, if the OP wants to make a lot of money straightaway out of college, he needs to pick a field that he will be competent in. If you can handle math and science, engineering salaries are usually the highest immediately after school (mid-$50k range). Getting a basic science degree (chemistry or biology) will enable you to become a lab tech doing medical or other research, which is another possible way for you to help people and make pretty decent money (probably ~$40k starting). Neither of these fields should require a background check either. PM me if you need any more advice.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Despite what everyone else in this thread thinks, I don't see the OP making any excuses..

"I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother"


sure looks like a excuse to me.


he is condemmed for getting 3 DUI's. i can ignore/understand 1 with the laws today. BUT the 2nd and 3rd are no excuse. if he knows he has a drinking problem he should not DRIVE anywahere that has the possiblity of having alchohol.

he can't control himself he needs to take steps to not drive. before he kills someone.

 

[Wheezer]

sorry, no sympathy from me.

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that drinking and driving is wrong.

at 19 you are pretty well aware and if you do it anyway it is a CHOICE...a poor CHOICE.

There are plenty of people in this world who are raised by worse and actually turn out far better.

If they are lucky the person he screws up on (and he will...history is the best predictor of the future)...will die...no suffer some horrible lingering effects such as being paralyzed, or worse.

There are irresponsible diabetics....I have seen in first hand...they eat garbage no good for them, they drink too much or they neglect to take their medication....which if they suffer an attack and are behind the wheel puts everyone at risk.

You made the bed...lie in it...the fact that you were raised by an over religious mother (and by the way we only have your word...which at this point does not mean much) is no excuse for your actions.

I think you better seek another careerer path...the hospital will not only look at your DUIs as irresponsible acts, but also as a sign of addiction and they don't want a nurse pilfering medication to feed an addiction.....not that you would, but the risk is there based on your history.

 

[Injury]

This thread has to be a joke, with a name like "Lookatme" are you trying to convince us you aren't trolling or attention whoring?

If this is serious, then I'd more or less be waiving "bye-bye" to any career derived directly from a college education. Since the people who'll be willing to hire you are already few and far between you'd be better off not wasting an employers time by interviewing only to find out that you cannot control yourself. 3 DUIs in 5 years makes 1 year sober a drop in the pond for a young guy. The big problem isn't that you've made mistakes in the past, it's that your record shows you're likely to make them AGAIN.

To put it plainly, short of starting a company yourself you aren't going to go anywhere. At least not for a decade or two. If you are looking to somehow strike it big in 15 years then you are off of your rocker unless you already have a solid business idea. If all you want to do is become a landlord or small business owner then why would you waste thousands of dollars and many years going for an MBA with no reasoning behind it. Sure a business degree will help in that regards, but IMHO you're better off getting educated in the department that you're wanting to work in. Go for things like real estate & property management. Take some basic classes to teach you how to asses and repair damages to properties so you don't have to pay someone to do 100% of the work on rented properties. We're talking community college courses here. Starting a business you know nothing about is much worse than starting a business that you need help to manage.


We can't figure out a career for you. A career is a type of job you are better than the average person at. Getting DUIs isn't a career and that's the only thing we know you can do.

If you are asking on ATOT how to get rich with no clue you've probably already failed.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123
I got the first when I was 19...it was a slap on the wrist, and no I never got the message. The 2nd and 3rd came within a 3 month period, so the sting of the 2nd never set in because it hadn't gone to court yet. If I hadn't gotten the 3rd so quickly I think I would have been able to learn from my actions. I am currently in a YEAR LONG court-ordered rehab program. After consideration, I would be willing to submit to EtG for the rest of my life if that is what it took. Let me clarify something with EtG also: If you can pass an EtG test it DEFINITIVELY proves that you are not drinking. It is not possible to fool that test. The only problem I was referring to is it can trigger false positives through hand sanitizers and colognes, etc.

Please refrain from linking my intelligence to my DUI convictions. I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother. As hard as it is, I try to live by the mantra that "Today is the first day of the rest of my life." (Note: I said I TRY TO)

Regardless of what anyone thinks of me, if I was subject to EtG testing, then there is no reason to hold my alcoholic past against me. The problem is, it looks like I am already DEAD in the eyes of much of the world...And again, if there are any nurses in similar situations or know of someone who is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me...

hahahah

i so hope you are never a nurse or anything where you have control over others. hell i hope you never get to drive again.

Yeah OP is a troll. Look at this post, and look at his username. :laugh:

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123

Please refrain from linking my intelligence to my DUI convictions. I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc.

Bullshit. I never have bought into the whole "alcoholism is a disease" crap. The ONLY reason it's gotten the play it has, is because drinking is socially acceptable and there are a LOT of people who are drunks...some wealthy and with a lot of political stroke.
Alcoholism is NOT a disease, it's a weakness. Just like smoking or drug addiction, it's the weakness of will to stop. YES, there are physical addiction issues with all three that I mentioned, but in the long run, it's just weakness of spirit, moral fiber, personality, whatever that makes an addict an addict. (I know...I've been there)

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123

Regardless of what anyone thinks of me, if I was subject to EtG testing, then there is no reason to hold my alcoholic past against me. The problem is, it looks like I am already DEAD in the eyes of much of the world...And again, if there are any nurses in similar situations or know of someone who is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me...

For MOST jobs, I agree that your alcohol abuse shouldn't be held against you, but in a job where your judgment will be called into play on a daily/hourly basis, AND one where you'll have access to addicting/abusable drugs, it SHOULD very much be an issue.
How about truck drivers...should 3 DUI's in recent history be held against them? IMO, YES.
How about someone with 3 robbery convictions...should they be barred from working as a bank teller? HELL YES.


Sorry OP, I think you REALLY need to make a different career choice. Does it suck (in your eyes) that the 3 DUI's you got will prevent you from entering the profession you want? Yes, but our "mistakes" often are held against us for the rest of our lives.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: ranmaniac

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: RGN
Wait, you wanted to be a male nurse?

What's wrong with being a male nurse? There's very good money in that, plus the ability to help people to a certain degree without having to worry about somebody screaming malpractice around every corner.

Yep, not to mention job security, and with the baby boomers retiring, there will be increased demand in the healthcare sector.

All of which is great, as long as you can stomach telling people that you are a male nurse.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: ranmaniac

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: RGN
Wait, you wanted to be a male nurse?

What's wrong with being a male nurse? There's very good money in that, plus the ability to help people to a certain degree without having to worry about somebody screaming malpractice around every corner.

Yep, not to mention job security, and with the baby boomers retiring, there will be increased demand in the healthcare sector.

All of which is great, as long as you can stomach telling people that you are a male nurse.

Well, I think OP has a pretty strong stomach / can drink a lot.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: DainBramaged

Originally posted by: ranmaniac

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: RGN
Wait, you wanted to be a male nurse?

What's wrong with being a male nurse? There's very good money in that, plus the ability to help people to a certain degree without having to worry about somebody screaming malpractice around every corner.

Yep, not to mention job security, and with the baby boomers retiring, there will be increased demand in the healthcare sector.

All of which is great, as long as you can stomach telling people that you are a male nurse.

Dain, it'd bother me all the way to the bank...

Around here, most nurses earn between $40 and $60 per hour, PLUS huge signing bonuses.

 

[CycloWizard]

Originally posted by: waggy
"I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother"


sure looks like a excuse to me.

A statement of fact is not even close to the same as an excuse. His statement was the former, not the latter.

he is condemmed for getting 3 DUI's. i can ignore/understand 1 with the laws today. BUT the 2nd and 3rd are no excuse. if he knows he has a drinking problem he should not DRIVE anywahere that has the possiblity of having alchohol.

he can't control himself he needs to take steps to not drive. before he kills someone.

He has taken steps to address the real problem, rather than the symptoms as you suggested. Why should he be punished for the rest of his life for mistakes made in his youth?

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
He has taken steps to address the real problem, rather than the symptoms as you suggested. Why should he be punished for the rest of his life for mistakes made in his youth?

He isn't being punished. Employers will be protecting themselves from potential future liability. If they can hire someone without the DUI baggage, they will. In this case, for in-house nurses, if I were the employer I would give the OP a chance (assuming he was otherwise the best candidate), because driving would not be part of his job duties. If my company were a visiting nurse service then no way would I hire a candidate with three DUIs.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard

Originally posted by: waggy
"I have a DISEASE that has to be managed in the same way that a diabetic has to manage their disease through diet, insulin shots, etc. I have overcome tremendous obstacles with my education including being removed from school when I was 11 years old by a hardcore, insane, babtist mother"


sure looks like a excuse to me.

A statement of fact is not even close to the same as an excuse. His statement was the former, not the latter.

he is condemmed for getting 3 DUI's. i can ignore/understand 1 with the laws today. BUT the 2nd and 3rd are no excuse. if he knows he has a drinking problem he should not DRIVE anywahere that has the possiblity of having alchohol.

he can't control himself he needs to take steps to not drive. before he kills someone.

He has taken steps to address the real problem, rather than the symptoms as you suggested. Why should he be punished for the rest of his life for mistakes made in his youth?

yes it is a excuse. he is blaming the fact he has a "disease" (since when is getting DUI's a desease?) on not getting a job.

why should he be punished? he is not. he can go find a job. just not one where his "disease" can harm others.

he should have thought of this befoer he got the 2nd and 3rd DUI.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: ironwing

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
He has taken steps to address the real problem, rather than the symptoms as you suggested. Why should he be punished for the rest of his life for mistakes made in his youth?

He isn't being punished. Employers will be protecting themselves from potential future liability. If they can hire someone without the DUI baggage, they will. In this case, for in-house nurses, if I were the employer I would give the OP a chance (assuming he was otherwise the best candidate), because driving would not be part of his job duties. If my company were a visiting nurse service then no way would I hire a candidate with three DUIs.

i wouldnt give the guy a chance. the odds of him loseing control again and comeing in drunk and hurting someone is pretty good. As a business owner i sure in the heck would not take the chance of loseing everything on a guy with 3 DUI's. he is not worth it.

3 dui's shows he has a major problem with controlling his alchohol and not capable of makeing well thought out decisions.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: LookatmeABC123

Regardless of what anyone thinks of me, if I was subject to EtG testing, then there is no reason to hold my alcoholic past against me. The problem is, it looks like I am already DEAD in the eyes of much of the world...And again, if there are any nurses in similar situations or know of someone who is, PLEASE PLEASE tell me...

For MOST jobs, I agree that your alcohol abuse shouldn't be held against you, but in a job where your judgment will be called into play on a daily/hourly basis, AND one where you'll have access to addicting/abusable drugs, it SHOULD very much be an issue.
How about truck drivers...should 3 DUI's in recent history be held against them? IMO, YES.
How about someone with 3 robbery convictions...should they be barred from working as a bank teller? HELL YES.

Sorry, but I have to disagree and say it should be held against him no matter WHAT job it is... you always have to consider that if he has had 3 alcohol related offenses, then no matter what program he's in or how long he's been sober, there is ALWAYS a risk. There's a risk that he'll fall off the wagon and start being under the influence at work. There's a risk he'll slip up, get a fourth DUI and be hauled off to jail, which means a company now has to spend time and money hiring and training someone new. There's a risk that he'll run in to a customer that knows what has happened and choose to do business with the company. There will always be a risk. HOW MUCH of a risk is the question. As I said previously, 1 year sober in your early 20's is a drop in the pond.

I could have sympathy if it was one time. I could even be convinced if it was 2. 3 times and the only one people should have sympathy for are the ones you trick into trusting you. As someone said before, it's probably a fair guess that you only got caught 3 times, not just did it 3 times.