career change to nursing the right choice?

Wow, more pilots making the change. I was an airline pilot for the last 5 years before deciding to switch. There were so many times up in the air that I thought "hmmm....why don't we just make a turn and fly to the Bahamas"...so I would program it into the FMS just for kicks to see if we could make it there on our fuel load. So, I decided I would rather fly where I want and when I want, so I decided that I just need to go to nurse anesthetist school, then buy my own plane. So....that's pretty much my story!

I'm on furlough from one of the majors and am currently completing prerequesites for an ABSN program. I used to think memorizing limitations was hard until I started trying to memorize the skeletal system. In response to an earlier post, I don't know too many FOs making 115,000/yr. anymore unless they are flying for FedEx or UPS. I am having my doubts about this whole nursing thing as well. I'm not doing it for the money or security, but rather for some form of internal satisfaction from helping others. What worries me, is that I'm looking at it from the outside and am not familiar with the realities of the job. I don't really want to go back to flying because of the lifestyle involved (ie living on the road, crappy sleeping and eating habits, etc.) but do miss having a decent steady paycheck and working towards retirement.

How old are you and what are you worried about nursing? I am a FO for a regional and hate the lifestyle. I lost touch with most of my non pilot friends, lost my girl and I'm out of shape and always tired and depressed. Plus the pay sucks. I got a Bachelors and invested 70K in flight training all to end up at this point. All I wanted to do was fly and travel..wish I would have taken into account all the other aspects of having a fulfilling life. I want to be a nurse because I want to help people, interact with others and they make good pay and I like the work hours. But I am worried I am not cut out for cleaning up the patients such as wiping their butts and that such..Any info or feedback from anyone??

hey viable, what city r u based out of? i was based out of cincinnati for years. when i decided to get into nursing, i went and did an ABSN program near me, and so I got a 2nd bachelors degree in 16 months. it was very tough, but well worth it. i love helping the patients, and unlike the airlines, you can pretty much get a job anywhere you want. i don't think many people really enjoy wiping butts, but you take the good with the bad. i got use to it quickly, so it doesn't really bother me at all. i do want to get my masters in nurse anesthetist, but i have to get my ICU experience first. i know a CRNA here, and he has his own airplane, and flies around the country for his work. he has a regular job at a hospital here, but then we he has several weeks off, he travels around the US and fills in for other nurse anesthetists. it seems like a pretty cool lifestyle, decent money, helping people, and being able to fly too.

How did you get a second bachelors in 16 months? What is the name of the school?

I am 40 and what I'm worried about is if I have what it takes to succesfully complete an ABSN (Microbiology and anatomy and physiology already seems very difficult to me) and finding out that I do not enjoy nursing after working so hard and spending so much money to do it. I really like the idea of helping and interacting with the patients. Like you, I am also worried about dealing with the poop and puke but figure I will get used to it.

I understand what you mean about working at the regionals. I spent a couple of years flying freight before spending over three years at a regional. It was a horrible QOL and the pay was absolutely ridiculous. Like you, I also got out of shape and was tired and depressed a lot of the time.

Hey viable and mhmo, I too was a victim of the regionals and getting out of shape. Guess we are all in the same boat....or is it plane with us? Anyway, I was 39 when I decided to change careers. I knew I wanted to become a nurse anesthetist and I had to decide what the best way to get there for me was. So, I found out I could get a 2nd bachelors degree quickly by going through an Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing program...or ABSN Program. They are typically about 1.5 years long, and to get accepted, you first have to have a previous bachelors degree (in any major) and also have a few prerequisite classes completed. Typically, these classes are Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Psych (a Lifespan Development, or similar). Once the prerequisites are complete, or in progress, you can apply for the ABSN program. There are many around the country to choose from. I applied and was accepted to Northern Kentucky University to their program. The reason I chose this school was mainly that it was very close to where I live. I live right near CVG airport, so NKU is just a few miles away. And since they have an ABSN program, it just made sense to go there. Anyway, I successfully completed the program and passed my National Boards test (called the NCLEX). Taking and passing the NCLEX was by far the most stressful thing I have been though, and none of my checkrides or tests for aviation ever gave me as much stress as the NCLEX. So now, I am now working in an ICU, and in about a year, I will be applying to Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthetist programs. I'm now 42, so mhmo, you can do it too. Nursing is way different from what I expected. The medical profession, in general, is full of people who are MUCH less professional than those in aviation. For instance, you will run across nurses who will wine, back-stab, and "eat their young" as the expression goes. Then there are tons of physicians who look down upon nurses and are very short with them, think they are stupid, yell at them, and such. In aviation, the pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, etc., were all much more professional. Everyone pretty much always treated everyone with respect, and pilots don't look down upon flight attendants, and vice-versa. In nursing school, there was soooo much "busy work" that really doesn't make any nurse a better nurse. It frustrated me to no end to do so much busy work which took away from my actual time to learn and study the important things. I had several majors in my college career, and out of all the professors I had, in many different departments, I NEVER had so much busy work in my entire life. The whole thing made me think I was back in grade school instead of college. Very frustrating, and very dissatisfying. That being said, I knew it was just another hoop I had to jump through to achieve my new goals. And along the way, I did discover that there were indeed some very professional nurses out there, and some physicians that were extremely nice. So here I am, still learning a lot of new things, keeping a good attitude, trying to do everything I can to help those around me, and become the best nurse that I can. Then in a year from now, start thinking about going back to school...again

CRNA2BKY,

Thank you for the excellent post and the encouraging words concerning the "age factor". I think I'm getting down about having to spend so much time at my desk to do well in my prerequisite courses and realizing that what I'm doing now is easy compared to nursing school. The school I've been admitted to only lasts twelve months and I've heard more than a few negative things about it. I enjoyed the comparison between the airline industry and what you've dealt with as a nurse from your peers. I agree with your assesment about the common courtesy, respect and camaraderie that are present in the airline industry. I applaud and admire your determination in pursuing a position as a nurse anesthetist.

I do have to say that I do really enjoy helping the patients, and it is rewarding to know that I have helped someone. And many of the nurses are very helpful and lend me help whenever I need it. Nursing in the ICU setting can be very challenging, especially for a new graduate like me, and I am grateful to have other nurses around me that can help me and teach me new things. I have a whole new respect for the job that nurses do, because it really can be a lot of work! I do miss aviation, but I figure that in the future, I can always get back into flying, and do it for fun because I enjoy it. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Know it is never to late to do anything you want to do. Research all your options, and do what you think is the best path for you.

Hello gentleman,
Just wanted to throw in my thoughts from a former 'back end cargo' perspective. I never did the regional thing or even the commercial gig, I did international charter ops flying 100+ hours a month on average, mostly military troop transport. Anyway, I left and completed an ABSN program 3 years ago and have been working as an ER nurse since. I'm not surprised to see so many pilots looking into nursing as I think there are a lot of similarities to working in the aviation industry. Things as simple as shift living and scheduling your life in opposition to the rest of the world's 9-5 to the baseline ADD and boredom with 'sameness' that probably draws most of us to flying in the first place. To that end I do think you all have a lot going for you.
I think if anyone can handle pilot training and all that goes into it then you'll certainly be able to tackle the nursing curriculum with success. It is hard, especially in an accelerated format, but do-able. The only people I've seen fail are those who mistakenly assume it will simply be a cakewalk. I'll admit I didn't know how much information RN school covers or the sheer amount of info you're required to learn. It's a shame the general public isn't aware of it either but maybe as more folks try to transition to this field that will change. There's also a tremendous amount of, um, accessory learning that you'll have to get through to graduate nursing school. Agree with above about just sucking it up and getting through it. It's a means to an end.
So, all of that was to say that while I think nursing can be a great gig and would never discourage anyone without basis, I just really want you all from my former industry to understand that the environment you are walking into is, probably without question, unlike any you've encountered before. Especially if you're coming from the front-end role where a great deal of competency is assumed. True, we in the know are aware you all don't actually walk on water (lol) but at least as an FA I was somewhat familiar with the occasional ignorant assumption that I must be an uneducated moron to do that job. So, now that a greater number of people(docs, med students, PT, OT, housekeeping, your dog)will assume you must be an idiot because you're a nurse, I do have some experience to compare it too and therefore more experience in blowing it off. There is a lot of disrespect granted nurses, mostly unwarranted, but don't underestimate its existence or your ability to tolerate such for an extended period of time. Is it the end all be all about the job? No, but there is also no question if you're accustomed to being treated as a professional by virtue of existence that this new role will require serious adjustment. Be sure you understand this as you seek out environments that do reward and respect your nursing education and knowledge, because they surely do exist. Just a lot harder to find....
Anyway, good luck guys! I look forward to reading of your progress and will stick to just reading based on my, you know, female parts. I'll tell ya, though, it is hard to leave the flying behind. It absolutely gets in your blood, the lifestyle and coworkers as much as the job itself. I actually joined the AF reserve to work as a flight nurse in hopes of combining the two but my experience there is a whole other story...It's good experience for the resume, anyway.
Best of luck!
Mab