I work in healthcare. With the few things I'm seeing already, and concern about the next two years, I got my CDL. I'm female, past 50, and if I go to the oil field, I won't be unusual. I have a few friends that have either quit cowboying or leased their places and are working the Bakken field while it lasts.
Yeah, the hours suck (but I work about 60/week now), and yeah it's cold there and dark too much of the day in the winter, but it's not much better where I am and my horse and cattle work is done in that kind of climate in the winter. It's dangerous work, which is part of why it pays so well. Some people I know tell of jamming as many people into a camper as possible and sleeping in shifts. Same thing happened in Gillette and Rock Springs, WY during the last boom. And honestly, I've done that during calving season one more than one ranch. Ideal? No way. Keep the bills paid and the retirement nest egg growing? You bet.
A friend told me yesterday that quite a few guys and gals working the Bakken area are leaving and heading to Midland, TX. I'd rather face ND. There are rumors of drilling near me. I'd definitely try to get back here if I end up doing that kind of work.