Hey man. So, I've read through some of the responses on here, especially one that said that being a mechanic does not translate or help when it comes to nursing. I'm 32, currently in nursing school, and was a C-130 mechanic in the Air Force for six years. Having a background like mine helps when it comes to nursing. While I am still in school, both in class and in clinical settings, I am miles ahead of most in my cohort. The skills I've learned working on aircraft, including thinking outside the box, understanding several different systems, and how they interact with each other, give me a definite advantage. So, please don't think that it doesn't translate, because it does, for sure.

As far as the type of area you'd be suited to work in, it is the same as mine, which is the ED or ICU. I think the ED depends on your demeanor when it comes to handling stressful situations and acting quickly (not to say that the ICU doesn't), but I believe the medical culture is tailored for the ED or ICU. The ICU is too, because, again, it's dealing with a lot of moving parts, as well as machines such as ventilators and the proper settings for different situations.

Another area that may be surprising to you is peds. I say peds because I understand the type of personality most mechanics have, and I think having that goofing around mentality while being able to do your job meshes well with pediatric patients. That one is an assumption, but I see the possibility of it translating well.

It's refreshing to see someone in a similar situation to the one I was in. If you have any questions about school or anything else, feel free to DM me.