POSTED BY: Sheri s (November 07, 2008 01:53 PM)
I have been a Registered Nurse for more than 30 years. My working hours have always been flexible (working varied shifts) to meet the need for family time. I have been able to work in many sub-specialties within nursing (such as obstetrics, education, and management) to keep the job interesting. My salary has always been excellent and stable during changing times over the last 30 years. And, whenever we decide to move anywhere in the country, I know I can always get a job...anywhere! Nursing is a great career, but it is hard work and you have to LOVE serving others.

POSTED BY: Bob (November 07, 2008 05:42 PM)
As my sons grew up I told them to pick careers they could make a good living at like doctor, lawyer, engineer, or computer expert. I also told them to always be open to opportunity and not to plan working for any employer for more than two to six years as they started out in their 20s and 30s. Take advantage of any training offered. I also told them to try out different types of jobs in their fields including corporate and government jobs. Forget job security and pensions but do look for good transportable 401Ks. As they approach 40 is when they should start looking for some sort of job security if possible. With advancing age and higher salary, job opportunities will suddenly become more difficult to find. By then they should know what areas they liked and have considerable work experience. An upper management or stable(possibly government)job would be a good place to settle in. If they plan ahead, retiring at or before age 55 should easily be in reach if that is what they want. That's what I did.

POSTED BY: R. Price (November 07, 2008 06:41 PM)
Education is not entirely recession-proof. As the economy suffers, so do the sources of funding for teachers and education. Hundreds of teachers in Volusia, Seminole, and Orange counties in Florida were laid off when budgets were slashed; those laid off included experienced teachers in mathematics and science. It's wise to have a back-up plan when even your "recession-proof" job is cut.

POSTED BY: Mike from the Bronx (November 07, 2008 11:49 PM)
Sheri, thank you for all you do. My father is 85 and his health is failing rapidly. He's at home because the hospital can't do anything more for him. Nurses have treated him like gold and I swear that nurses know every bit as much as a doctor. Through all the demands of your work, if you're like the nurses I know, you always give 100% while maintaining a sense of humor. We have a home care attendant around the clock and visiting nurse comes by 3 days a week. My brother-in-law is paying for the round the clock care. Without him dad would have to be in a nursing home because none of us kids have that kind of money, even if we pool our money we couldn't come close. Dad's home and will likely be gone soon but he gets to die at home surrounded by his loved ones. But it's caring people like you that gives him the quality of life we all want. Thank you Sheri and all the Sheri's out there who give so much of yourself to so many.

POSTED BY: fred (November 08, 2008 09:52 AM)
Government is a recession proof job, and benefits can sometimes be better than private industry but you still pay about 30% of your health insurance, get lousy dental benefits and still have to save to support 1/3 of your retirement. As to environmental ecologists, the column states a salary of $76k. In government, your starting salary with a bachelors (GS-5) is $30k per year, with a PhD (GS-11), $55k. As a now retired federal scientist, I knew you don't go into government for the money or benefits, you do so as a service. Don't let those in the private sector tell you that government is always a cushy job.

POSTED BY: Patrick M. (November 08, 2008 10:57 AM)
There is always the military. For someone that is just starting out, no kids and spouse to support, enlisting is a pretty good deal. Free food, clothing, medical, housing, etc. If you already have commitments, you can try to be an officer. Better pay and working conditions. Obviously it isn't for everyone. And the benefits have to be weighed against the risks, but it should be discussed as an option.

POSTED BY: Jackie (November 08, 2008 09:48 PM)
I'm a registered nurse (have been for 17 years) and attorney (for 2 years). I continue to work as a registered nurse because that pays way more money than any starting lawyer salary unless you went to Harvard or the like (which I didn't) or graduated in the top 1% of your class (which I didn't - friends of mine in the top 10% are finding themselves in low-paying lawyer jobs if they even got one). The quote above on registered nurses' salaries is way below what I make here in CT, which is a higher paying state - but CA pays more. I will make almost double that this year (albeit that is a little bit of overtime, but just a little bit). Don't go into the law if your goal is only to make money. It's not as easy as you might think. Do it if you're sure you love law and you have to do it. The best bang for your education buck is to go into nursing. But also, don't do this for money either. You will make a good living, but we need people who care. Like Sheri said, the job is not easy, in fact sometimes it's really hard and you think about leaving - when your relief doesn't come in and you are mandated to stay, when someone vomits all over you, or you get a dreaded needlestick - but lots of jobs have hazards. Not all nursing jobs have these specific hazards. With nursing, you cannot beat the pay and flexibility and the autonomy and sense of control you have over your destiny because nurses are in such demand. You can go anywhere and get a job, even another country. I will be moving to FL soon and I don't worry about "if" I'll find a job. I'll just pick where I want to live and I'll have one in a day ... We're needed everywhere. Smartest thing I ever did was go to nursing school.

POSTED BY: Ralph (November 09, 2008 09:46 PM)
Dont forget Offshore oil. You have 20 year old people making $50-90,000. Older workers are making a killing. Ever wonder why gas is so high.

POSTED BY: Brian (November 10, 2008 04:20 AM)
I'm surprised the article does not mention military service under government jobs. Officers (generally with a bachelor's degree) will make $31,860 as a base pay in 2009. Benefits include no-cost health care and housing and food allowances. Privates (E-1) just out of training (H.S. diploma/equivalent) earn $16,800 plus benefits. Pay is raised yearly to adjust for inflation as well as increased for time in service. There is also 30 days of paid leave a year form you're first year of service as well as most federal holidays off. Don't sell it short.

POSTED BY: Mitch (November 15, 2008 05:00 PM)
My wife and I are both registered nurses from Oklahoma and we both made more than the stated figure. Also, we both have associate degrees from the local community college. It was the best investment (educational or otherwise) we ever made. I strongly recommend nursing as a career. One other thing .... we have never been laid off.

POSTED BY: Melissa (November 29, 2008 02:56 PM)
No one ever mentions the funeral industry. We will always be needed and are always ready and properly staffed to help.