Would someone please give me some feedback?
If you are an entry level RN or an experienced RN or just like me - a wife, a mother of a 2 year old, a full-time professional with a Bachelors (Business) and Masters (Education). I am now 38 years old and live in Broward County (South Florida) and earn a good living (between 80-90K). Although I enjoy going to work every day, I have never in the past 15 years felt like what I do each day matters. Recently, I've had great hospital experiences (my mother's breast cancer; my natural childbirth; my current in-out of hospitals for my cancer stuff). Before this I had only entered a hosptial 3 times that I can recall in my life. Every nurse that I've met has inspired me (except for one in med/surgical floor) and I truly like the idea of being able to help others while having a job that allows for flexibility (hospital or non-hospital; flex-schedules), portability and opportunities to grow (the possibilities seem endless). I know it's not going to be easy - I'm sure there will be many stressful days (which I don't have at all in my life right now). My passion is education. I get excited when I see the light-bulb brighten or turn on for another person. Patient education seems exciting to me.
I can't say that about my current job in a non-healthcare field. I am the steady income in my household since my husband is self-employed. I have to work full-time for benefits and the salary.
So, I need a sanity check from the folks in this great community - Am I crazy???? For some reason I feel I have the nursing bug. I've checked out numerous books from the library and I've been trying to register at Broward College to start my CHM1032 prereq - hopefully online if something opens up. I figure if I focus on my pre-reqs first and get A's then I can begin focusing on getting into Nursing School. However, all the schools in Broward County are full-time (clinicals during the day). Miami-Dade College is the only one that currently offers a part-time curriculum for full-time professionals (clinicals on the weekends).
Right now, my husband doesn't support me in my current pie-in-the-sky dream because he says that nurses in South Florida only make 40K. I told him that I'd spoken to several nurses who made 50-60 K (with ASN degree and BSN). So, would someone out there shed some light on my very dark situation - am I crazy or just a glutton for punishment? Should I be saying hey I make good money stay put and forget about this nursing thing!
Please help.