Nursing is a popular second career

By NATHAN BROWN, Enterprise Staff Writer
SARANAC LAKE — Nursing has been increasing in popularity as a second career as the increasing demand for nurses pushes up wages. Saranac Lake resident Bill Chamberlain has been a registered nurse at Adirondack Medical Center since May 2007 and was a commercial fisherman in Alaska for most of his adult life before that. He said he decided to take nursing classes at Clinton Community College after meeting other people who had gone into health care relatively late in life.

“It’s just the challenge I was looking for,” he said. “It is inspiring to be part of something where you feel you can make a difference, and feel positive about what you’re doing at the end of your shift.”

Chamberlain said one of the most interesting things about the job is the lack of routine to it.

“It’s hard to describe a typical day,” he said. “I’m not so sure it exists. That’s one of the attractions about it, and how it’s similar to my former job. You never know what the day is going to bring, and the tolerance for error is very small. So, just like fishing, you have to show up every day ready for anything, and able to give 100 percent, and be ready to confront the unexpected.”

Chamberlain said he is glad he works at AMC.

“It’s the most supportive working atmosphere I have ever been a part of,” he said. “The lines of communication are just always open from top to bottom. The management takes a genuine interest in what the nurses are doing, and what they’re experiencing. I think that supportive atmosphere has a ripple effect all the way down the line, and ends up enhancing patient care.”

Another registered nurse at AMC who is doing it as a second career is Angela Gatker, who moved here from Ukraine in 1992 with her husband, who is assistant luge coach of the Ukrainian team. She took English and other general courses at North Country Community College and studied nursing at Clinton Community College from 1994 to 1996. She has been at AMC ever since. She used to work in the pediatric and intensive care units and is now in the emergency room.

“It’s a rewarding profession,” she said. “I get very good feedback from my patients. It gives me strength, and desire to do my job better. I like taking care of people.”

Gatker had a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and physical education in Ukraine, and she worked as a physical therapist before. She said she enjoys living in this area.

“It’s a very small community, very family oriented,” she said. “It’s a good place to bring up children.”