[alliestar]

Hello,
I'm Mid-late 30's with a Bachelors. I'm going back to school for a BSN for several reasons. I would like to hear from other career changers. How you dealt with the change in pay? Is it as much of a paycut from your previous career as you thought it would be? Do you regret changing careers? If so, why?
Thanks for the feedback.
Alliestar

[oldiebutgoodie]

I was in IT before nursing. At one point, during the internet boom, I made in 6 figures. Obviously, I am not making that now. However, I could not get hired in IT anymore because I am over 50 (even 21 year olds are having trouble getting jobs), and have been out of the field a few years now.

However, I have A JOB. With benefits. They probably won't fire me because I am over 50. And once you have a few years of experience, there are a lot of options available to you.

I regretted it at first, but now I am happy I did it.

Oldiebutgoodie

[oldiebutgoodie]

Regarding change of pay:

Our kids have grown and left the nest, so we aren't paying for college, and we have been pretty frugal throughout our lives, so I don't really miss the money. I whooped it up when making the big bucks, but do I really need a purse that costs $600? I think not.

It depends a lot on what kind of debt, mortgages, etc. you have. We have never had fancy cars or fancy houses, so it didn't really make a difference.

Oldiebutgoodie

[Joe NightingMale]

I'm going to experience the opposite---lab work in academia pays relatively little. Even with the enormous student loans I will probably make as much or more than I did at any of my previous jobs.

And then there's the fact that I will actually like doing nursing...

[Dierdre]

Well, I didn't take a huge pay cut...but...

I left my job of 3 years in LTC with good hours (M-F 7-3) to go to a plasma center. I asked for what I was making (this is Oklahoma, guys, so some of you are going to goggle) which was $17/hour. The lady doing the hiring told me straight up "We've never hired anyone for that, can you work for $16?

I was fed up enough to say "You bet!" Best change I ever made in my life. Within 4 months I'd gotten a $0.56 raise, and all I can say is that every day I wake up and look forward to what's going to happen at work. This is the best job I ever had and I don't regret it at all!

[delee99]

Sold my insurance agency. I was making 150,000 per year Gross But i was working 24/7 and it was killing me. I took the money and invested it in my nursing career where i can make a difference every day. When my health insurance went sky high I went to work in a LTC. I worked full time nights for the insurance. and went to school ful time... for 3 years my life was still hectic and stress full but today I am an RN, and I work only Day shifts and 1 weekend a month. I still work in the same facility and really don't plan on going any where else. I have money in the bank, a nice job that pays well (they started me at the same rate that the vetern RNs) and I love my residents. I have Tons of vacation.