No I wouldn't recommend nursing

Hi all. I am currently an attorney, wanting to switch careers to become a certified nurse-midwife. I haven't had time to read ALL the responses yet, but just wanted to add my own 2 cents. I went to school for 4 years to get my B.S., then 3 more long years to get my J.D., all the while thinking I was going to make a difference in the world by becoming an environmental attorney. I have spent the past 6 years sitting in an office for sometimes 12 hours a day, bored out of my mind doing paperwork, or in the courtroom getting yelled at by some judge or other attorney, or being yelled at by supervisers. I went to work for the "big firm" making the "big bucks" (a total of $60,000 per year, whoopee), only to spend every minute of my time working with no life on the side, no vacation, little holiday time, and even working on weekends, all to put more money in the hands of greedy corporations. When I decided I didn't want to sell out anymore, I started my own practice, only to find that my clients are the worst bosses of all, and making less than $20,000 a year my first year. In order to make the big $$$ I would have to put in long hours and get no vacation time, not to mention no benefits. I don't know any happy attorneys. I have tried all areas of law, including family law (divorces and custody), personal injury, real estate, government work (very low pay), medical malpractice, the list goes on and on, and I have not found one area where I felt I was actually helping someone.

Meanwhile, I have discovered that I have an absolute passion for babies being delivered. And my mom is friends with a nurse who has been practicing for 30-odd years, is paid $80,000 a year +, and works two days a week, in a hospital. So I am going for it.

I think the bottom line is, if you have a passion for any career, you will gravitate towards it and find a way to make it work for you. Practicing law really does not fit my personality and I did it mainly on the advice of other people, so I do not enjoy it. But I can imagine that there are people out there who absolutely love going into the courtroom and arguing their case, even despite the long hours, and those same people will probably work their way up to partner and make big bucks too. Those same people probably think I am nuts to give up such a "wonderful" career, but I am going to do what I love and so are they.

If you love being a nurse but hate the working conditions, why not go back to school and become a nurse-anesthetologist (sp?), or switch to clinical work? Surely there is someplace for all these trained yet unsatisfied professionals? If not, I agree with other opinions on here--change your career. No use ******** about it. Do something about it, it's never too late.

I'm not a sexist but let's face it. If men outnumbered women in the field I would venture to say that there would be fewer slams from administration. Men would tend to stand more firm on issues and support their staff and put up with less, shall we say, garbage brought on by administration. There would be a better chance of forming unions to support and protect the nursing field.

Just once, i'd love the men vs. women crap to be left at the door.

As I expected there are always those who do not see the point...that's fine. But after 20yrs of nursing I have seen time after time when my female nurse manager has bowed down to upper administration without a fight only to tell me later that what they expected us to do was ridiculous. The few times I had male managers, with one exception, seemed less chaotic. Cold hard fact...I have never been fortunate enough to work in Dreamland.

And as i expected, for some, it's the actions of a few that determine set (sexist) opinion for either gender.

As someone taking my pre-reqs for nursing, I'm a little discouraged by the many posts of nurses not liking their occupation, although I know they are just being honest. And I do realize there are nurses out there that like what they do as well (I'm hoping to be one of them) and I do believe I still want to try nursing. What I am wondering is if there are any suggestions that people would have of another health care field other than nursing that may be less stressful, etc. because I know I don't want the boring degrees of business or computers, etc.

Renae:

Make sure you check out this thread: Older Nursing Students

for a more "heartening" version of becoming a nurse....as someone who had just turned 50 and has completed all the prereqs (and then some) and is awaiting acceptance in to a program, I was very discouraged by this thread also....

The other thread will help give you inspiration....and then I think it'll be up to us to make the best of this career -- the good, the bad, & the ugly!

Nursing has its way ups and way downs. NOT ALL WILL HANDLE THE STRESS. Got to be a team player YET make very important decisions constantly and independantly. I would only recommend nursing to a certain few.

Much as in many other occupations....but I think it's about where each personally find their rewards and enjoys showing up each day....my current "job" is not that....

[quote=crowdreamer]Hi all. I am currently an attorney, wanting to switch careers to become a certified nurse-midwife. I haven't had time to read ALL the responses yet, but just wanted to add my own 2 cents. I went to school for 4 years to get my B.S., then 3 more long years to get my J.D., all the while thinking I was going to make a difference in the world by becoming an environmental attorney. I have spent the past 6 years sitting in an office for sometimes 12 hours a day, bored out of my mind doing paperwork, or in the courtroom getting yelled at by some judge or other attorney, or being yelled at by supervisers. I went to work for the "big firm" making the "big bucks" (a total of $60,000 per year, whoopee), only to spend every minute of my time working with no life on the side, Meanwhile, I have discovered that I have an absolute passion for babies being delivered. And my mom is friends with a nurse who has been practicing for 30-odd years, is paid $80,000 a year +, and works two days a week, in a hospital. So I am going for it.

First of all my dh is an attorney/cpa and makes over 100k in the MW in a small firm. Its very possible to do this. Also there is no way a RN works 2 days a week and makes 80k. With that being said nursing has been a very flexible choice for me and working around my children. I have worked urgent care, in the hospital, home care and telephone triage. There are many avenues once you have some experience and you can get out of direct patient care.