Am I nuts?

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 9, 2006

ddd, all i can tell you is: join the club.

between any number of things that have happened to me since the 1st of this year, in addition to my mom dying very unexpectedly in march, and being scared to death of making ends meet while i'm in school, the past few days i have seriously been reconsidering whether i am making the right move.

i will need to give notice in the next week or so to my job of the last 6 years (nice salary) and that also has me freaking.

on the other hand, i had a couple of different directions i was considering when i was applying to rn schools -- and for whatever reason, the situation here just keeps falling in to place. i found a place for some student loans; i got one call 2 days after i submitted an online resume for a part-time job (can you say "1/4 the hourly salary i have been making"?); and i'm taking a huge leap of faith that it's all going to work out.

i tend to be a big believer in fate. i'm just hoping that fate's not showing its sense of humor right now because i've had enough fun for 2006 to last the rest of my life!!

Lesli61 · Jul 9, 2006

Wanta here nuts? I am attending a part time night and weekend program. When I graduate, and quit my current job, my pay will be cut in half, AND I will be giving up about 8 weeks vacation a year. I am bored to tears with my current job, and I always told myself when I was younger that I wouldn't become one of those bitter burn-outs just holding on until retirement. That is no way to live your life. Try to keep in mind that it's 'all about the journey, not the destination!' I've seen too many people just living to get to retirement, then they get there and die a few years later or become very ill. Life is too precious to squander, and money is just a tool to get you where you want to go. :wink2: Good Luck!

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

I've seen too many people just living to get to retirement, then they get there and die a few years later or become very ill. Life is too precious to squander, and money is just a tool to get you where you want to go.
Interesting thought.....my neighbors owned a very successful local bakery. I worked for them for a few months when I got my bachelor's a few years ago and was between graduation and my "career" position.
They sold the bakery last year (maybe in their very early 70's?)...my husband and I ran into them at dinner a few months ago....her reply when asked how retirement was going?
"It's lousy. Don't let anyone fool you; it's not all it's cracked up to be." She was one who had too much time on her hands and didn't know what to do with it. They have 4 kids and a load of grandkids, but after working probably 50, 60 hour work weeks for years, they were lost. Your quote about dying a few years after retirement has some statistical basis, I believe!
And I agree -- life's too short. Although how I missed out on that 8-week vacation position is BEYOND me!! After dealing with only 3 weeks for the past 6 years, I look forward to winter & spring breaks and summers off!!

BeccaznRN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

I went about getting my nursing education the same way....leaving a decent-paying job and giving up just about everything that went along with being employed (I had to move back in with my parents at age 27) in order to return to school. It's difficult, but if your heart is really into in then it will work out. Many other students and current nurses have went through the same thing so there's strength and support in numbers. I will graduate in December with about $40,000 worth of debt but I wouldn't trade it for anything because it got me to my ultimate goal! Hang in there! You'll do fine.

klg1971 · Jul 10, 2006

Well......all I can say is.......we must be nuts! I have the exact same story as you. I have a family, going to live off loans and 401k....and I keep thining...."WHAT AM I DOING????" Then I take a step back and say....

1. The rumor is going around, my company will move my position to Chicago (I am from Dallas) at the end of the year.

2. I have nothing to fall back on education wise....no degree yet!

3. I have to take a chance and believe in myself.

We can do this. Keep thinking to yourself, it is only for X amount of time. I can do anything for that length! We can do this, we can do this, we can do this.......remember the little engine that could!

NavyWife14 · Jul 10, 2006

If this is important to you, then you are not nuts. I don't have any children yet (unless you count the 2 dogs), but my husband is in Medical School. We have been living off my salary alone. This Friday is actually my last day at work and I start school next Monday (17th). We sat down together and had a long heart-to-heart and made a budget based on the financial aid we were each awarded. Things will be tight for a couple years, but the budget includes buffer room for unexpecteds. When we finish school, we will have tons of loans to pay back, but we plan to do that before any major purchases like new cars and such, so that will be the only debt we have. But most importantly, we will both be in jobs that we LOVE!!! It was a hard decision for me to go back to school before DH finishes, but we figured that the sooner I am in a career I enjoy, the better for everyone...I'll be a better employee, friend, wife and (eventually) mother.We have decided to look at education as an investment. It is an investment in our future careers, happiness, and our family.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 11, 2006

Well......all I can say is.......we must be nuts! I have the exact same story as you. I have a family, going to live off loans and 401k....and I keep thining...."WHAT AM I DOING????" Then I take a step back and say....
1. The rumor is going around, my company will move my position to Chicago (I am from Dallas) at the end of the year.

Oh, yeah, I keep forgetting about THAT subject!! After personally surviving 2 layoffs in the past 5 years, and not yet having been picked on to be walking out by security because someone "chose" me that week, the layoff rumor is going around AGAIN for September. I am so sick of looking over my shoulder because perhaps this is the week someone decided it was my turn or that I looked at them wrong!! UGH!!

SH4NNON · Jul 11, 2006

If you're meant to do it, you are. The signs in the past year have been unmistakable for me. I too am leaving a mediocre job with mediocre pay for bigger and better. It's terrifying to leave my comfort zone, but it's worth it! I gave my notice about 2 weeks ago, and now it's just sinking in that I'm really doing this. AAH!! I register for classes next Monday. I still can't even believe it. This is all so surreal.

ak127 · Jul 11, 2006

Don't worry. We're all nuts. I left a good paying job and moved to anther state to go to nursing school... had to move two weeks before acceptance letters went out. So I packed while I prayed and it all worked out! Starting nursing school Sept 1! Will be soooooooo far in debt. But FYI: my entire workgroup at my old job was terminated one month after I gave my notice. Dodged that bullet, maybe this is where I belong!

Ingrid m · Jul 11, 2006

The same story here...I am leaving 18 yrs of flying with Air Canada and going into nursing. 4 days off a week, Huge pay and 2 months off vacation a year... EEeeek!

Talk about scary.

The truth is, is that if you really want it bad enough, all the other stuff just seems to fall into place. I try not to think about the freaky stuff, deal with the things that will help my transition back to school, and just go with the flow and ENJOY THE RIDE!

It'll be one hell of a ride indeed.

ingrid;)