Question:
I'm not a truck driver, I'm a nurse looking for a career change. I'm looking to learn about truck-driving as a career so I'd like to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly of so that I can make an informed decision. I had seriously considered truck-driving right out of high-school but let my folks talk me out of it (its a man's job they told me). Frankly, I'm sick (no pun intended) of nursing. I need a change. Also, I would like to find out where I can obtain the BEST training.

Answer:
it's all posted right here in the newbies section,the good,the bad and even worse,just sign up,get trained and you will most likely return to nursing fast,never know untill you try
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Answer:
Well. You know how they say "The grass is always greener..." so now I want to see how green the other grass is. I realize that truck driving is a difficult and challenging career. I'm in no way thinking that it's an easy job and that I'll just sit on my can and drive a truck and that's all there is to it. Being a nurse I DO know what hard physical and mental labor is. Don't for one minute think that being a nurse is easy. Read your newspapers, magazines, and watch the news on t.v. and you'll see that nursing IS difficult; there is an almost crisis because of the shortage of nurses. Not many people are wanting to do this job because it IS so difficult... AND many of us who are doing this job want out. Not only are nurses physically overworked but we have to deal with some arrogant a@#-hole doctors, patients and families who take their frustrations out on the most convenient people-- nurses. I could go on and on but please understand that I did not just start contemplating changing careers. This has been on my mind for quite some time and right now I am researching and would like some valid and specific information. Not generalizations and comments that I'll "run back to nursing." Tell me SPECIFICALLY what is bad or difficult about the trucking industry. And tell me what is good. I thank you for your reply and you probably meant well but you would be a better help if you did not discourage but just offer information so that I or others contemplating this career can make an informed decision/ choice.

Answer:
Tell me SPECIFICALLY what is bad or difficult about the trucking industry.Drivers have to deal with some arrogant a@#-hole dispatchers, trip planners and shipping/receiving clerks who take their frustrations out on the most convenient people-- drivers.

Answer:
For a newbie trying to break into the industry, I would think the hardest thing would be to get proper training.
Gots to talking with a neighbor about his desire to enter the trucking industry. He had called around to the local schools and asked about what they will teach him. For the most part, the answer he got was, "We will teach you to drive a truck! We will prepare you for an exciting carreer as an over the road truck driver. The carreer is exciting and lucrative!" (Recite this in a monotone!)
There is only one place outside of the CDL mills that you can go in my area, Cochise College in Douglas, AZ. He had not hear he could go there and will be checking it out on Monday.
Do yourself a favor, besides doing a complete search of this forum, check out the schools for exactly what they teach and how much time they will give you behind the wheel. Just because you can get a CDL in two to three short weeks, does not mean you should. Get the best training for you so you can be the best driver you can.
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Answer:
"difficult and challenging "
not really,you just sit on your butt and look out the window,boring and fustrating would be 2 better words.The waiting is the worst part of the job,waiting to get loaded/unloaded
waiting in traffic jams
waiting to get a load home
Most of the companies that will give a new person a chance,take full advantage of the fact you can't go to the better places and keep you out for weeks at a time.
Follow this forum for awhile,don't give up quick because it sounds horrible.Depending on where you live has a lot to do with landing a decent job out and back everyday.
Trucking is very varied,lots of different types of trucking,it all ain't the same,just like being a nurse in a hospital is different than working in a small doctors office and all the other nursing jobs in between.
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Answer:
Janelaine, I don't think I would pay to much attention to that Zig-Zag person, obviously down on everything! You give it a try!!! I also worked in a Hospital and they don't know its tough and demanding work!! Not to mention the stress!! Too many politics are played out in the medical profession, Hey I don't have to tell you this! I worked hard to get my CDL, and I love to drive, sure no one likes traffic jams or sitting around waiting, but Hey I remember the Junk in the Hospital and some how it makes it worth while. Follow what you want GO For it!!!! And the Best of Luck!!!!!

Answer:
Oh, JaneLaine, One more thing, Check out the Professionl Lady Drivers on this site, Ask some of the Lady drivers! They'll give you the straight dope!! -->

Answer:
I too was a nurse. Wanted to do this for long time, drive that is. I am currently attending the Ft.Scott CC training school and will finish on Sept. 20. I can if I want ALWAYS go back to nursing. Shortage where I live is huge. So, will do this for awhile and if I don`t like it will go back to the nursing gig. But, I am doing this in the hopes of staying with it for a few years. After all, I am 54 and not getting any younger so nowis the time. Good luck with your choice. And remember, you can always go back to nursing if you want, and since you have friends you have already spoken to about driving and you still want to do this then GO for it.

Answer:
Check out these sites also
www.newbiedriver.com
www.classadrivers.com
www.pumpkindriver.com
Also read Taxibob's journal about his adventure on the road. One question I have is where do you live? I am planning on USXpress in a few months,but if I go back to Florida my options become fewer.
If you wanna be a truck driver I say go for it. if it doesn't work out you can always be a nurse again.

Answer:
Thanks to all who have responded. For those who had such negative comments about the trucking industry, can you tell me why you chose this as a career and why do you stick with it if it is so darn bad? As with ANY job, there are the downsides. But if you are in a job that is so terrible, why are you still in it? Why don't you go back to school? Hey! Why not train to become a nurse? In some areas you can get all of your schooling paid for and you can be paid for the hours you go to school.... that is how desperate the nursing shortage is in some areas. Get training and get a new career!!!! THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK PHIL. I APPRECIATE YOUR HONESTY. I HOPE I DIDN'T "P" YOU OFF TOO MUCH. I REALLY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BLOW SMOKE UP MY BUTT. I WANT YOU AND OTHERS WHO REPLY TO BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES SO THAT I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. I GUESS I'M PLAYING THE "MY JOB IS HARDER THAN YOUR JOB" GAME AND I'M NOT KEEPING AN OPEN MIND AS I SHOULD. I APOLOGIZE TO YOU AND ANYONE ELSE THAT I MAY HAVE RUBBED THE WRONG WAY. THANKS FOR SETTING ME STRAIGHT PHIL.
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Answer:
There's nothing to apologize for, JANELAINE; you certainly didn't **** me off; I simply have a posting style that some find "aggressive".
At any rate, continue to ask questions and you'll get a variety of answers from a variety of posters. BOL.

Answer:
KarenR I'm not down on anything,just do what people come here looking for,someone that don't blow smoke up peoples butts.
You worked hard for your CDL,you must have had one easy life before driving school to call it hard,it was like a 2 month vacation for me,playing with a truck in a school where people have very little chance of failing.
"never know untill you try"
I didn't tell the poster not to try it.
"don't give up quick because it sounds horrible"
I even said don't give up quick
"so I'd like to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly of so that I can make an informed decision"
What part of the above is real confusing,she didn't ask if you prefer it to nursing,she asked to learn the plus's and minus's to make her own decission.
She may have got into nursing under informed about the downside and would prefer not to make the same mistake again.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution vs. the Communist Manifesto
Side by Side
http://www.stout-family.net/compare.htm
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