Career switch - from 6 figure salary

Nurses General Nursing

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Just wanted to share my situation for those of you who are thinking of changing careers -- you are not alone!

I currently work in the IT field and make 108k a year (in NJ). I have a 5 month old baby girl, who I only see for 1.5-2 hrs at night during the week, then on Sat and Sunday. That just isn't enough for me. I have decided to switch careers and become a nurse. I am going back to school in Fall. It should take me 2 1/2 years. If all goes according to plan I will take the boards Dec '06.

I have been mulling over being a nurse for some time. The IT job just doesn't satisfy me. Though the $$ is great, I feel that if I have to be away from my daughter I should be doing something more rewarding and fulfilling. I must admit, the flexible hours are a huge draw as well. As a nurse I would work 2-3 nights a week, and be able to spend my days with my daughter -- no daycare necessary! :p Plus, NJ has lots of opportunities for nurses.

I would like another child, but want to make sure I am at least done with my final class before giving birth. They would end up 3 yrs apart, but I don't want to risk not being able to finish school - especially with the investment we will be making (savings runs out after a year - so we are in for loans and any part time work I can get at night to try to make up some of the difference).

We have a lot to work out, but I am taking it one semester at a time. I think going back to school to be a nurse takes 100% committment - but the good news is at least in the beginning I'll see more of my daughter going to school (taking Chem and Bio first semester) than I do right now working fulltime and commuting 1.5 hours each way!.

Anyone who is in the same boat and would like support or has any questions, feel free to contact me!

Melly06

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I agree Casper. No matter how far in advance I made my schedule or how carefully I planned, it seemed something always was came up on the Saturdays or evenings I was scheduled to work.

Even though I worked part time, had great hours and wonderful co-workers, I missed lots of ball-games, a recital, taking my kids to birthday parties, etc., etc., etc. I also had to work holidays and that included Christmas or Christmas Eve, Easter, and Thanksgiving. My family learned to be flexible about when we celebrated holidays.

Its a trade-off... there's no utopia.

Now I have a Monday through Friday job with no weekends, hardly any nights and no holidays. But it took me so long to get here, my kids are grown.

If I had it to do all over again.... I'd not change a thing. Nursing is all I ever wanted to do and I knew the weekends, holidays, and nights were a part of the job!

Nursing is a wonderful profession and I wish you much good luck!

Great, realistic post.

My roomie is a Nurse, and I have learned so much from her. She works per diem in 2 hospitals (Yale New Haven and NYU Medical). She makes her own schedule at both. She works at New Haven when she wants to visit her parents once a month for a week. She works at NYU every other Saturday night. I cant think of any other job that could permit this.

And, about Holidays and weekends.....I personaly dont know anyone who doesnt have to work on at least 2 Holidays a year. My cousin, who is a waitress, has to work every Christmas! Myother cousin (I am Greek, I have 100 cousins lol), who is in Computer Science and works for AT&T must switch every year....he gets either Christmas or New Years Eve off. My exboyfiend was in sales. Same deal with him.My current boyfriend, a musician. I was/am an actress prior to this. I worked just about all holidays! (The show must go on! )

Ok, the money. Starting range here (granted, this is Manhattan) is about $43/hour. More for nights, and more for weekends. Depending on where you are, you can still make a good living (I personally know nurses here making near $100,000). I just think its most important to feel good about what you are doing. To feel that you are living your potential, and to care about your work. If IT does not fulfill this need for you, I would personally switch.

:nurse:

Hi, i also live in the NYC area (Brooklyn) and looking to start school in the fall for nursing do you know of any good schools to go for nursing besides NYU?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

To those considering nursing,I strongly suggest shadowing nurses at work and talking to them about their careers. Canvass all the people you know and really SEE upfront what they do and then decide if it's for you. It is a wonderful career, one I love but definately NOT for everyone!

Specializes in Pediatrics.
Everyone's telling me about nursing. Is it that great? I know there in need of them. Do they pay great? Are they that flexiable? Can you choose what floor you want to work on? Like i wouldn't mind being on the labor and delivery floor? Please reply if you know the answers to my questions.

Now that you've found this site, you should get the answers you want. Unfortunately, you'll get more than your share of answers. Ask people you know (if you know any nurses). Getting into the specialty you want is not as easy as we'd like it to be (L&D is a perfect example). Also, after reading this thread, 'great pay' means different things for everyone. You're young and have a child, and will make more than you do now. But money should not be a consideration right now, when you consider the amount of school, and the commitment you need to give it. Do it baecause you want to be a nurse. :nurse:

Now that you've found this site, you should get the answers you want. Unfortunately, you'll get more than your share of answers. Ask people you know (if you know any nurses). Getting into the specialty you want is not as easy as we'd like it to be (L&D is a perfect example). Also, after reading this thread, 'great pay' means different things for everyone. You're young and have a child, and will make more than you do now. But money should not be a consideration right now, when you consider the amount of school, and the commitment you need to give it. Do it baecause you want to be a nurse. :nurse:
Thanks for the advice. What school did you attend to become a nurse?
Specializes in Government.

I was surprised the original poster didn't look into part time IT work. More time off, more time with child.

I agree with those who say that most nursing jobs are the least flexible of any work I've seen. I'm a career change nurse and was not prepared for that. As evidenced by many posts, there are some nice RN careers out there which allow you to have the schedule of your choice...I work M-R, 10 hour days, no weekends, no holidays. It did take 20 years to find that job, however!

Re: the idea of nursing as ideal for parents of young kids...well, I can't let anyone walk away from this thread thinking that. If you think the waters part and that people are anxious to fill your holidays, sick kid days, maternity leaves, etc etc...whew, so wrong. Every worker deserves equal respect, not just parents of young kids. You will rapidly become a persona non grata if you are constantly begging people to cover kiddee birthdays, ear aches, Christmas, etc. for you. Just fair warning.

I have tons of classmates who work in IT field. Half of them already made switches because they could not find a job.

I know some IT person who make more than you, and some of them, especially woman, are thinking what are they going to do in the 40s. IT field especially discrimates against old people. Experience does not count since techology change so fast. More experience just make a person more expensive and work against them.

To makes things worse, jobs are losing to Asia and East Europe at a very fast pace, and nobody see this trend weakens at this time. In New York City alone, since 2000, jobs in IT field decreases by almost 40%.

So I think better to switch in mid-thirties than in mid-forties when you have to at that time.

I made the switch from working in Human Resources into Nursing and I regret that decision everyday. My thought process was that I would have more flexiblity in nursing, more time with my family, more freetime. I was COMPLETELY WRONG.

I work .7 nights and I am so exhausted at the end of my shift that I need to sleep, I can't take care of my family. I missed Christmas, Easter, and I'm going to miss Labor Day (which is when my extended family all takes a vacation together). It is very difficult to switch with co-workers.

I thought that I would be doing something rewarding in nursing, but most patients and doctors are oblivious to all of the hard work that I (we) do.

The rest of the world works the normal 8-5 and I miss it more than I ever thought I would.

I would never go into nursing if I knew then what I know now.

Just think about it. I haven't read all of the posts for this message, but I had to put my 2cents out there. I did exactly what you are thinking about doing and the benefits are just not there. sorry.

I decided to go to nursing school when my daughter was 2 years and my son was 3 months old. I just graduated and have been applying for jobs. I have found that many hospitals dont work with your schedule but many do. I needed straight days and found a job offering me 3 -12 hours shifts a week with no weekends or 5 - 8 hour shifts monday -friday. I searched for jobs in at least 6 different areas and in each area I found hospitals will to work with my schedule.

Specializes in Government.
I decided to go to nursing school when my daughter was 2 years and my son was 3 months old. I just graduated and have been applying for jobs. I have found that many hospitals dont work with your schedule but many do. I needed straight days and found a job offering me 3 -12 hours shifts a week with no weekends or 5 - 8 hour shifts monday -friday. I searched for jobs in at least 6 different areas and in each area I found hospitals will to work with my schedule.

Best wishes to you. Often what a hospital offers and the realities of day to day scheduling are different. Very different. Many of us speak from decades of experience on the floors so you have to forgive us if we're sometimes a bit skeptical.

Specializes in Government.
I made the switch from working in Human Resources into Nursing and I regret that decision everyday. My thought process was that I would have more flexiblity in nursing, more time with my family, more freetime. I was COMPLETELY WRONG.

I work .7 nights and I am so exhausted at the end of my shift that I need to sleep, I can't take care of my family. I missed Christmas, Easter, and I'm going to miss Labor Day (which is when my extended family all takes a vacation together). It is very difficult to switch with co-workers.

Word to your entire post, smg. Of my accelerated nursing class, I am the only one left with an active license. Most quit because of issues mentioned in your post.

I so understand and empathisize with your desire to have a professional life and be able to mother your child in the way that you want to. But I would not recommend nursing unless you really feel you have a calling for it. I am still a student, but I couldn't imagine making the sacrifices that nursing entails if I didn't strongly feel called to do it. For what other reasons are you interested in nursing besides having a schedule you want and a job whenever you need it?

When I begin my nursing career I imagine I will have to take what I am offered in terms of a schedule. To make good money, I'll have to work a lot of hours. Even so, I feel grateful to be entering the profession and if that's what you decide to do, the best of luck to you!!

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