What do you do for a living?

You go girl! Another great idea from LisaMarie! I am a Community Health Nurse/Public Health Nurse. I mostly do home visits but one day a week work in Public Health tracking communicable disease. I love my job. I came to nursing later in life (I started nursing when I was 40), but I feel like it was my calling. Eventually, when my kids are a bit older, I'd like to go back to school to become an Adult Nurse Practioner. Who's next? Amy

Lisa Marie: Terrific thread idea! I am an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. I graduated from HS in 1990, obtained my Associates degree as a RN from Adirondack Community College in 1992 (at the age of 19) began my career in Med-Surg nursing knowing Psychiatry was my passion but as instructors advised did my 1 yr in Med-Surg. Worked slowly toward my Bachelor's degree, obtained that in 2000 from Russell Sage College, meanwhile working from 1993-2000 in inpatient Mental Health at a public and private facility. Went Full-time for my Master's degree at Sage Graduate School, became a Psych NP in May 2002, obtained my board certification in summer 2002, started a small private practice (then had my WLS 10/2002), in February 2003 started Full-time with the VA working in outpatient primary care as the behavioral specialist (meds/therapy serving America's Heroes!) and doing my private work on weekends/eves. Got interested in bariatrics (of course!) and started working for local bariatric surgeons in mid-2003 doing preop psych evals and postop counseling/meds, and their support group. Currently finishing up my post-Master's certificate as a nurse educator from Sage Graduate School and looking to start Doctoral Studies (DNS) there as well (program was to possibly starting Fall 2006, but now may be 2007). I am a life-long learner and education is the greatest part about being a nurse I believe! Glad to get to know you all and see that there are other nurses here as well! I LOVE the work I do and could not imagine doing anything else! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hi everyone! I have a b.f.a film production(from tisch) and a b.s in sociology (from arts&science) from nyu. I worked in the film industry right after I graduated(you can do an internet search under my maiden name and see but I am not going to tell any of you that! na-na! j/k). On the other hand, once my son was born in I decided to continue my education in social work considering it was easier to get a job in...notice I didnt say "make money in" but "get a job in". Ha. I am about a semester from my m.s.w in social work. I have worked at planned parenthood in the bronx and did a year internship at creedmoor psychiatric hospital. I know, I know...every time I tell someone who didn't know I have all of this education in social work I get something like "Oh no wonder!" Too funny.

Well I guess I will jump in here since I enjoyed reading about everyone else. My career began in the construction field. I graduated the local BOCES witha dream of becoming a mega builder. Reality set in and for 16 years I ran a Carpenter shop for, of all companies AT&T, thats right MA BELL! I built office furniture mostly! After the AT&T mega layoff's of the 90's got to me I found my way into the Pharmaceutical field and spent 6 years making Centrum Vitamins. Once again layoff's knocking atmy door I jumped ship to Ciba Geigy and todaywe arecalled Novartis Pharmaceuticals. That totals 16 years of cabinet making (AT&T) and 17 years of making medicine. During ths span I realized that I could probably do a better job then most or the marriage counselors I have encountered in my disasterous marriage and I began to work towards a degree in psyc at Mount St Mary in Orange county. At the age of 48, officially TODAY, I havesome doubt thatI will ever get mydegree? Who knows? Thanks LisaMarie Kenny

I'm a reading teacher... have been for 5 years. I taught special ed for 8 years also. I LOVE MY JOB!!!

I've been an RN for 32 years--the last of the diploma grads in 1974. Got a degree in French Lit from Hunter in 1985, then went to CWRU for 3 years of Law School. Law was boring, so I went back to nursing right after that. Currently a Supervisor at a local major medical center, but will soon be a home care nurse for a local major home health provider. Looking into getting an online MSN, willing to hear input from anyone who has been that route. Susan

Great topic! I'm an Executive Assistant at one of the top Accounting Firms. I support several Partners and Senior Managers. Rachelle

Hi LisaMarie, I actually have 2 jobs. During the day, I am an Area Operations Manager for a national Fundraising Company. My evening and weekend business is much more interesting! I have a business called "Slumber Parties". I sell romance enhancement products. I do "in home" parties for women, similar to tupperware...but waaaay more fun! I love my new business, but I don't think I would be doing it, if I had not had my WLS. It has given me the energy and the confidence needed to do it! Feel free to contact me if you would like to have a party Gail

Hi All !!!! I am a Registered Nurse working in a management position for a national home care company. I absolutely love what I do; and look forward to each day as a new adventure. Health care is never boring!!! Barbara

Hi All It's been great meeting everyone here...and great topic Lisa. I'm a Graphic Artist for a major Vitamin and Supplement company! Yep...is that a conincidence or what?!? Life's funny that way! I work on Macintosh computers and use Graphic Art programs to create ads, catalogs, direct-mail pieces for one of the company's many divisions. My division is called "Direct Response", meaning we design everything for the mail order vitamin division. There are many divisions to this vitamin company...and we sell over 1,400 vitamin/sups. in the catalog alone! Then there is the "walk-in" store division...all over the USA. Sooooo..I'm hoping to get my much-needed nutrients via my own catalog! Anyway..that's what I do! I have my degree in Advertising Art and Design, and have 2 Macs of my own at home. What a Geek! Hugsss to all -Karen