Unsure what to pursue

[Ideas]

I've been thinking hard about this for months, but I'm feeling stuck again, and would appreciate input. Thank you to everyone who gave input on my previous exploration threads. Previously, I didn't share much about my disabilities and some other influencing factors that I keep considering, and I am sharing much more in this thread.

I still feel sure that I should grab the TESU BSBA, and I'll explain that, but I'm lost other than that. And I'm sure some would say skip the BSBA.

I have permanent disabilities. I am hoping to have significant improvement in 2 areas, but it is really hard to predict if my improvement would be great enough that I could work an in-person job. I would love to make plans with the assumption that I would improve that much, but it seems completely unwise.

So that is one area which leads to confusion for me: If I assume I can never do the regular jobs, I'm only seeing about 3 real online work options for me. Partly because there are even some types of online at-home jobs that I'm unable to do too! (I might have improvements where I can do some other types, but again, I would rather not rely on that.) I'd rather not give much detail on specific limitations or why, so I hope you understand if I'm shooting down some ideas, and just saying that I can't do that

Obviously, online jobs makes people think about tech jobs, so, I am pretty good with tech, and it seems like I "should" go into this field, but my heart is not in it. There are certain areas in tech I might enjoy, I guess (but even in those areas, it seems too hard to do full-time). I am sure that many areas I simply would see as a drag. Although the money is one of my motivators, it's really more important to me to feel like I'm doing something positive. But it does add a lot of confusion for me.

As some of you noticed, I seem to have too many areas of interest, but they are mostly all related. Where my interest and experience lies is the cross-sections of health + psychology + education. Basically helping people improve their lives, but I really like to use my medical/wellness knowledge and experience, at least some of the time. However, I don't know if I would like education in the normal sense of jobs that people do. So far, I like education in the sense of counseling/coaching, and I'm not sure I could be effective at some aspects of teaching. I worry that I might really dislike some aspects of regular teaching, like if I could land a DL teaching job. I also think it would be very hard to land such as job without classroom teaching experience first. I do have counseling-style experience, but obviously licensure is difficult for me, and counseling and social work programs tend to cost a lot more than just psych.

I already do part-time online work in these fields, and for a while I was assuming that a degree would basically get me more of the same kind of work. But I am now second guessing that. First because it's pretty competitive, and even with a degree, I might be stuck at part-time. Secondly even if I could get full-time, some of the work gets tiring to me (in part due to disabilities). I also feel I need to move up a bit, and have later opportunities for advancement. I just don't see how, other than maybe trying to get an online education job, which seems unrealistic?

I do have a lot of interest in business, and some experience. And I want the business degree because I feel it would help me get funding for a future business (if I decide to do one), and I find it very interesting. I'm already learning new things. But, I am wondering if the BSBA (or even an MBA) would help me in terms of employment. I am not sure how it would help with employment, only help with my own business. Of course, I am also interested in the TESU BSBA because of the speed and low cost, and the speed is partly due to my prior knowledge.

One thing I didn't mention yet is I also have strong reason to believe that I will only have about 6-10 years where I'm able to work, after school. So that's one reason I feel like I need to choose very carefully. I also feel I must get the degree(s) quickly. With the right job, after the 6-10 years, I hopefully be able to do something (that still pays well, I hope) part-time for a few years before retiring.

I'm feeling that I am going to need some combination of 2-3 degrees, that gives me some specialty advantage. Lately I'm thinking of getting an RN or LPN license. Although LPN requires a fair amount in-person, it's spread out over a year or so, and I think it's only around 8 hours in-person per week. I am worried about completing it, but feel that I already have half the knowledge/training (but, hardly any college credit for it), and feel that having RN+MBA might really get me some good online employment. Especially because then I could, over time, get a BSN. (If a place would give me PLA credit for my lab science, this would be great, but I was told that they won't for labs. But I did all the college-level lab work, in-person.)

Are there options I'm missing? My primary worry is that even with have Masters degree plus more, it'll be hard to find an online job that I can do full-time. So, for a while I was thinking I'd better plan on having 1-2 part-time online jobs plus a part-time online business. Sometimes I wonder if I should instead try to aim for an even higher-paying degree/career and plan on doing that part-time, such as a healthcare or IT job I don't really enjoy, but I would regret it. I also wonder about finding a high-paying career that I enjoy, even if it takes more schooling (like second Masters or a Doctorate, but I worry about cost). Money is tight right now, but I may be able to afford it in 1-3 years.

It may be confusing that I said I would not enjoy the healthcare job. I feel like I wouldn't enjoy most in-person clinical healthcare jobs, despite my strong interest in medical/wellness. I would guess there are some that would be different. It seems with an RN (and maybe even an LPN) I could get an online clinical job, which would be part-time most likely.

Edit: One problem with going for RN to start is most RN programs have a long wait list and it would take me a while to get pre-reqs. But LPN makes the whole path longer. If only I had made different choices before!

[CarpeDiem8]

I commend you for pursuing to further your education while dealing with disabilities that limit your mobility. That must not be easy at all.

I think the availability for online jobs are pretty good. I've been working from home, within various roles, since 2005. They are out there.

For example, for Healthcare, there are remote jobs for Doctors on Demand.

I just applied to a job posted that is 100% remote and is a blend of many of the aspects you enjoy - healthcare, psychology, etc. I would link to it here, but they took the listing down Friday morning.

My sister is pursuing her masters of Nursing Education so that she can teach on online while living overseas.

It really depends on your established resume (what's your line of expertise?), your end goal, how many hours you wish to work, and your flexibility in scheduling, etc.

HTH,

D

[bjcheung77]

You're doing great as you are and very helpful in providing sound educational advice for fellow members as well.
I read you were unclear on what to do and "As some of you noticed, I seem to have too many areas of interest".
I don't think that's an issue at all, it's where you shine, like some people - they're a handy person in all aspects!
My only advice actually is, not to worry, education - it's like a marathon, so many ways to get to that finish line.

Further to that, I'm not sure what courses you have taken, or are taking at the moment. But complete them first.
Afterwards, you may want to copy/paste that into this or a new thread so we can create a plan for you.
Just finish that "degree" and worry about what to do AFTER this is finished. Having too much on plate will keep you from finishing.
Don't think too much about the little things, it's the big picture we're all after. Work on those "after you finish".

[Ideas]

Just finish that "degree" and worry about what to do AFTER this is finished. Having too much on plate will keep you from finishing.
Don't think too much about the little things, it's the big picture we're all after. Work on those "after you finish".

Thanks. The BSBA is pretty straightforward, I have a list of Saylor, SL, CLEP, and TECEP that I will take and one CSU-Global CBE, and use the rest of the Study.com scholarship.

One reason I'm trying to figure out the bigger picture is because I'm enrolling in at least 12 credits really soon (probably at NMJC). Those credits are so I can get the Pell Grant overage (to use toward Straighterline, TECEPs, etc) but I'm not sure if I should take some science labs or not (nursing pre-reqs). Or possibly psych courses. I don't like the extra cost due to the lab materials and the extra time, but feel like it's a good opportunity. Rather than take some completely useless classes.

[Ideas]

My sister is pursuing her masters of Nursing Education so that she can teach on online while living overseas.

It really depends on your established resume (what's your line of expertise?), your end goal, how many hours you wish to work, and your flexibility in scheduling, etc.

Thanks. I may be limited to the less expensive Masters programs. I'm not sure.

My resume is just doing the health/life coaching online part-time, freelance IT stuff online part-time (and one low-paying part-time IT job long ago), and having my own small online businesses. And it's harder to get recommendations and proof, because of it being mostly one-time work for various people (and business that were shut down a long time ago don't really inspire confidence). The majority of employers don't like that my work experience is so "informal". As a new graduate (someday), I figured some would be ok without much relevant work experience.

I want to work full-time if I can, if the job is enjoyable enough and less taxing on me, but I would be ok with part-time for a higher-paying more-taxing job. Some flexibility would be ideal. That is one concern of mine too - many better paying jobs seem to be full-time only. If I managed to get one, and then I need to decrease my hours due to health, would I lose the job entirely?

If possible, I do need more breaks (than most jobs offer), but it could work that I can intersperse some "busy work" or easier stuff with the main work and have a "break" during that.

The end goal is to have work that's rewarding, ideally in these fields, and hopefully that doesn't take months or years to be hired for (after schooling).

[CarpeDiem8]

Thanks. I may be limited to the less expensive Masters programs. I'm not sure.

My resume is just doing the health/life coaching online part-time, freelance IT stuff online part-time (and one low-paying part-time IT job long ago), and having my own small online businesses. And it's harder to get recommendations and proof, because of it being mostly one-time work for various people (and business that were shut down a long time ago don't really inspire confidence). The majority of employers don't like that my work experience is so "informal". As a new graduate (someday), I figured some would be ok without much relevant work experience.

I want to work full-time if I can, if the job is enjoyable enough and less taxing on me, but I would be ok with part-time for a higher-paying more-taxing job. Some flexibility would be ideal. That is one concern of mine too - many better paying jobs seem to be full-time only. If I managed to get one, and then I need to decrease my hours due to health, would I lose the job entirely?

If possible, I do need more breaks (than most jobs offer), but it could work that I can intersperse some "busy work" or easier stuff with the main work and have a "break" during that.

The end goal is to have work that's rewarding, ideally in these fields, and hopefully that doesn't take months or years to be hired for (after schooling).

Unfortunately, those are a lot of "what if's" and such that no one, not even you, can determine right now. The best thing is to cross those bridges when you get there. Things have a way of working out. There are just too many variables at work within the universe to even attempt to pre-determine a set route on things that have not come to fruition yet (technically-speaking, in linear, space-time experience as humans).

Best bet, listen and follow your gut.

HTH,

D

[Ideas]

Unfortunately, those are a lot of "what if's" and such that no one, not even you, can determine right now. The best thing is to cross those bridges when you get there. Things have a way of working out. There are just too many variables at work within the universe to even attempt to pre-determine a set route on things that have not come to fruition yet (technically-speaking, in linear, space-time experience as humans).

Best bet, listen and follow your gut.

Oh. I feel there's not very many options for me anyway, so I'm just hoping to get 1 or 2 new viable ideas, or some ideas on why one of my few possible paths is better. Then start off down that path. I understand that plenty of things can't be planned, or that you have to wait, but feel that I could be able to pick the best path now or soon.

[SolarKat]

If stamina is an issue, I'm not sure nursing would be a good fit. In order to be an "online nurse", I'd wager that you'd need a reasonable amount of clinical experience (at least med-surg work) to get hired for an online position. Even as a chart reviewer, they need people who've worked on the floors and understand what it is that they're reviewing, particularly the ins & outs of complex treatment processes and outcomes. Research might be an option...but again, it's typically built upon a solid foundation of hands-on care beyond nursing school. Otherwise it's a bit like trying to be a remote auto mechanic without a lot of hands-on experience...only with much higher liability/licensure issues if there's a problem.

Do you have a disability advocate/counselor? Do you need to work to support yourself, or is it more to fulfill an inner need for productivity? Have you explored options with your state/region disability offices (I don't know all of the alphabet soup for the various programs)? I ask, because you do have rights as a disabled worker...discussing them with a vocational counselor may be a good step to help you find a direction.

Beyond that, I'm having a hard time thinking of full-time online jobs that offer the sort of flexibility you describe. Contract work, perhaps...but a full-time, year-round gig is going to have expectations, metrics, etc. Have you thought about writing? Tech writing is something you can do at home, and you can develop your portfolio for show & tell at your own pace. As far as being able to "move up"...a degree will help, but think about how you can show what you can do. Getting hired for online is going to be hard without some sort of track record in place. I would suggest volunteering on a regular basis, kind of like a part-time/light job schedule, to develop the recommendations/networking and to demonstrate skills/performance. A track record as a volunteer grant writer for a charity, or facilitating a parish shut-ins program, etc., will give you some concrete resume builders beyond classroom learning. It might also give you some ideas to focus your educational goals.

[Ideas]

Thanks, SolarKat for your thoughts. A lot of them are along the lines of what I'm thinking too.

Regarding having an RN, yeah I think it would be nearly impossible to get a good job because of it, when I have no clinical work experience (beyond school). I think some jobs would be available, but lower end ones that weren't very fulfilling. It's more that I could get more or better health/wellness coaching jobs because they see the credential. Even though their position doesn't require the credential or make much use of it.

I doubt I could do writing on a regular basis, but it could fill in some gaps sometimes. Although I may be able to do less formal writing, like blog style. Edit: I want to do health/psych writing if I could find the right niche and market a book. I think it's hard to do that without at least an RN and/or Masters.

I'm not sure, but I think that any local disability counselors, and most others will advise me wrong. Because they don't realize that Masters programs can be pretty cheap and fast (if someone has the time and inclination to work really fast), so they try to steer you away from things like that, or even from something like a second Bachelor's. They tend to be more about practical things that your local community needs, like a technical school. And they would be confused if I talk about businesses, a business degree, etc.

Do you need to work to support yourself, or is it more to fulfill an inner need for productivity?

I do need to work. Later, I don't think I will need to support myself in the traditional sense, but that I would want to earn a decent amount, to pay medical bills and to save. Also, just to feel more self-sufficient. Edit: But I would rather do something lower paying that was fulfilling.

[bjcheung77]

First off, welcome! Thank you for those comments! Just wondering which state are you in?
I agree with going to the CC and sending everything you have there to get your RN.
If you're from one of these states California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Utah, you can try the WGU program here:
WGU Nursing Prelicensure: https://www.wgu.edu/online_health_profes..._licensure

If you're not from one of those states, continue on with your CC and again, send everything there until you finish the RN.
I would recommend three programs, in order of cost/preference. Here they are and the websites to their programs.
NOTE: You have at least the first 60 credits done for all of these programs, they're just the "general education courses"
WGU RN to BSN: https://www.wgu.edu/online_health_profes...ce_nursing

Excelsior RN to BSN: Excelsior College | Bachelors Degrees Nursing | Nursing Degrees, Programs | Online RN BSN
Excelsior RN to BSN requirements: https://my.excelsior.edu/documents/78666...e23fc27e62
TESU Nursing programs - RN to BSN: Nursing Academic Programs
TESU Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN - Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Program at Thomas Edison State University

If nursing is your true calling, I was just done with a thread post when I read this further...
I've copy/quoted what I typed here: http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...post239087