Me and Nursing : My reply to comments

Mmm..due to good respond to my previous blog, I decided to do the reply to the comments received here. Else the comments page will become very long sey :) but keep it coming... ;)

Rhaudhah a.k.a Miss Cutie Pie:
Kak Mis:
** DO NOT INFORM ANYONE ABOUT ME AND NURSING!!! **
One thing about me is, I am not one to act on impulse. At least not usually. I normally will think and think and think before I decide to do something. Whatever I want to do, I will first consider the implication on my family. This is just how I am wired. But I am quite undecisive thus I turn to Allah for help through Istikharah prayer. So far it works..InsyaAllah
The thought of switching to Nursing is not a recent thing. I started thinking about it for more than 2 years already. During that time, I read what I could find on the career and the study programme, went to NYP's career seminar on the accelerated programme, went to SGH's open house (which was really good coz there was an extremely senior Nurse who told us of the realities of the job and what it really takes to be a good nurse. Nursing is not for everyone. I totally agree on this) and recently interviewed a friend of mind who has been in nursing for about 7years. All this I did on my own meaning I was not following a friend or anything. In addition, during all those times that Granny was hospitalised I was with her either during the day or at night(minimum 8hrs each time) so I see what nurses do during their shifts. I think I have obtained what information I need. Based on that, I am still interested in nursing. My only concern is the pay and my age. The pay is the reason why I put nursing on hold until now. Age..Well, to become higher than a staff nurse takes a long time. And I am not one to remain in a position for too long. I want to climb the career ladder. So time is crucial. And the dilemma I am having now is made complicated by the fact that I have already signed with another IT company. I did that when I missed the deadline for submission to the nursing course...due to my chicken littles. Sekali, 2 weeks ago I accidentally saw an advert by WDA stating that there is another round of submission and the deadline is 1 week later! That's when I became...like...oh no!!

Ely:
Hey, I am glad you wrote. Thanks for visiting me humble blog and giving me your comment...heeeeh *sengeh*
Wow, our family situation is similar. Yes, I am thankful that I still have my grandparents. I dare not say that I am taking care of them well. I do what I can la. Hopefully it is good enough for them. Insyaallah. Actually, as I read your comment, I realise that we are quite similar too. If I read correctly, you mentioned that you can't bring yourself to work just for money and you are one who wants to go far in a company. Well, I am exactly like that too. I have been working in my current place for close to 7years. During that time, there were times when I was made to do work which I was not interested in. But I thought i'll just do it for the sake of money. After 6 months, I realised I just couldn't do it. haha..I actually got depressed and unmotivated. Had to drag myself to work. But I had to finish the project so I did it for abt a year. I informed my manager about this but the idiot ignored me. So eventually, after the project, I spoke to the director of the department and HR. And they gave me what I wanted! That made me stay in the company. But recently there was a change of management. The career ladder...and the whole place la.. got screwed up. I can't bring myself to work for this mngt so I went to look for another job. There are collegues of mine who can work for money. They just keep a low profile and become yes-men. Its amazing to me. I guess they have their reasons la. But for me, I can't and looks like you can't too.
You mentioned that "we can only pursue our interests when we are financially so stable or has no other commitments to tie us down". I share that sentiment to a certain extent. But what is meant by financially "SO" stable? As you start earning more, your standard of living also increase and you'll never feel like you have enough. Unless you manage to earn millions. And then you get married and have children. To wait for no commitments will be like when? Amongst my collegues and ex-collegues I have started hearing people lamenting that they are approaching their 40s and they become concern about their employment. Reality is, there are many foreign engrs who are paid less than locals. So when you reach 40, theoretically, you are expensive. You are expensive because there is an abundant of "cheaper alternatives". And then what do you want to do? Start on your area of interest? You'll have to start from scratch and you may not have the level of drive you once thought you have. No doubt that if one is successful in one's career..which is possible...then one probably will not face such uncertainties.
I think the challenge is: To find a way to do what we like and still be able to be financially healthy? Is it not possible to do both? If I go into nursing, overseas job is something I must consider. But I won't be doing it anytime soon. I can't even if I want to. It takes 5 years to finish diploma and the bond. After that maybe I'll do a degree programme then serve another round of bond. Only after all these can I think about overseas posting. By that time, I'll be fortyyyyyy!!!! :(

By the way, tell me what kind of job you looking for. Maybe I can help. Give me your email address. Mine is: one_global_village@yahoo.com.sg