2nd degree nurses

[grantchatt]

Hello,

I am looking to hear from some 2nd degree nurses. Can you please give me some information about how you knew that nursing was for you. What made you leave behind the first career. Was it hard to leave the first career and the security of the first career to go to nursing? Could you please tell you age and the path that you took to nursing.

Thanks!

[Music in My Heart]

I was an engineer who was laid off and faced with moving several states away in order to find work. Looking around the area, I identified approximately 3,500 nursing jobs within the commute radius of my home and figured one should be mine.

I'd also had a number of encounters with the nursing profession and saw some notable examples of good nursing and lousy nursing and decided that I had the brains and personality to be one of the good ones.

Three years out and it appears to be one of my better decisions.

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

I was a high school teacher (for 1 year) before I decided to go back to nursing school. Nursing had always been an interest of mine, and after dabbling in teaching, I discovered very quickly it was not my cup of tea. I finished my BSN in December 2011 and have been at the bedside since January of this year.

I can tell you now that I made the absolute best decision of my life doing this. I love my job, I do not dread going to work like I did when I was in the classroom, and the schedule fits my life so much better. I am making about the same amount of money now as I did when I was teaching, but I am working so, so much less (3 12's a week) and I never bring work home with me - actually, it would be illegal if I did!!

There are pros and cons to any job, but at this point, I am happy I made the decision to start over in a new career and foresee myself having a long, fulfilling career.

I feel the very same way you do....I was a small business owner and was working 6 days per week, 10-12h days....I made a nice income but was so miserable...Nursing gives me the income, and the enjoyment of my job at hand, I love it....and yes, a 3-12h work week is the bomb!....:cheers:

[grantchatt]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[grantchatt]

Some of these stories sound just like me! I am soo happy for all of the feedback. I just wanted to make sure that I have not totally lost my mine. PPl around me think im crazy to leave a god paying, secure job, to take a gamble on a totally new career. I am excited and nervous at the same time!!! There is no way for me to know if I am making a mistake until I try! Once again THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE POST...It really helps to hear from people in my same situation!