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● DEAR ABBY: The letter you printed from the nurse who wants to change careers after only one year could have been written by me. I became a nurse in 2000. While I loved the intellectual stimulation, dealing with the other nurses was an entirely different matter.

There's a saying in nursing that "nurses like to eat their young." While it doesn't seem logical that experienced nurses would sabotage younger ones, it does happen — more frequently than you might think.

I decided to change careers after only five years. Your advice to "Susan in St. Louis" was right on. She's bound to find something better for her than where she is now. — Been There, Done That in Virginia

DEAR BEEN THERE: Until I read your letter, I had never heard the expression "nurses eat their young." But it was echoed by a number of nurses who responded to that letter. Like you, they wanted to remind "Susan" that other opportunities are available. Read on:

● DEAR ABBY: "Susan in St. Louis" has many ways she can use her nursing training. If she likes hospital work, among the specialties she might try are: obstetrics, pediatrics, intensive care and dialysis. If she doesn't like hospital work, there is school nursing, which includes teaching, screening for various problems like scoliosis and first aid. There is also industrial nursing, working for a private company.

Once you become a nurse, the world is your oyster. I know of few other careers that offer so much variety. — Veteran Nurse of 24 Years

● DEAR ABBY: Please tell "Susan in St. Louis" that with just a little more training, she can use her skill as a nurse to help attorneys understand and read medical records. She will do the same job as a paralegal, but she'll work mainly in medical malpractice and personal injury areas.

— Legal Secretary in Ohio

● DEAR ABBY: There are unlimited opportunities for that young woman to apply her education to other careers. Plenty of drug and medical companies would welcome someone with nurse's training for positions in clinical testing protocols, data review, on-site visits, customer support and interaction with medical professionals.

— Carolann in Lilburn, Ga.