Am I Crazy to Leave $$$$ Job?

elkpark · Dec 15, 2015

My advice? Sadly, yes, you would be crazy. Have you done any real research into what nursing involves, day in and day out? Unless you really hate your current, high-paying job and are desperate to get away from it, my advice would be to stay where you are. Volunteer at the children's hospital or other agencies serving children if you want to feel you're contributing. Best wishes!

Emergent, RN · Dec 15, 2015

If that will make you happy, go for it. Do I think you're crazy, you bet! :)

I also think people are nuts to climb Mt Everest.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 15, 2015

I think you are crazy. If you are miserable in your current job and/or have a burning passion for helping children or something ... then you should be able to find a way to use your current skills to find a more satisfying job. You should build on the skill set and experience you already have to find ways to "satisfy your itch" without sacrificing your financial security. There are lots of different ways to help people and you should be able to find a way that won't be so very risky.

ahud2015 · Dec 16, 2015

Well, I really appreciate all of the straightforward and honest replies thus far. Can I ask how long you all have been involved in pediatric nursing? What has been your path and how long did it take, or is taking? I'm also wondering if anyone else might have a completely different argument in favor of it??

To answer some posed questions: I have spent an incredible amount of time either doing home nursing (with my son who is medically intensive), as well as observing and/or working with nurses at our local Children's hospital when there for short and long stays on the floor or in NICU/PICU, and visiting clinics. I've been exposed to more than most regular folks and have a pretty good idea of what's involved. The #1 complaint I hear? In a word: paperwork and long hours. (I used to be a teacher, I sympathize with the abundance of paperwork.) And I see how hard my nurses work! It never ends.

Do I HATE my current job? No, I work with kids, but I'm not challenged and I feel I have a lot more to offer. Most days I find myself thinking that I'd like to be doing something that really makes a difference. And, as for the platitude-- I happen to think pediatric nurses (all nurses) really do make a difference. You see, this is very personal to me. My son was injured at birth and has global brain damage. And, as I mentioned, I've had to learn a ton of nursing skills practically overnight over the last 12 years. My home health nursing team thinks I'd be good at peds nursing because of my precision and ability to get a lot done (correctly) at one time.

Ok, that's it for now. I welcome more honest feedback! Thanks in advance (again)!!

l.a.m.b, ADN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

I would not leave a high paying job at 50 to go into nursing. Ur looking at 4 years before u graduate. U already are a nurse to ur son, n he needs a mom that is not stressing out over care plans and the bull nursing school has to offer. Plus the wages! Nurses do not make a lot. I live paycheck to paycheck n I do not have an extravagant lifestyle

ahud2015 · Dec 16, 2015

@ l.a.m.b. Average pay for Pediatric Nurses where I live is 68k. I have a Masters degree (not in science), so I'd be doing an ABSN program after pre-reqs. Looks more like 2 years... ??

l.a.m.b, ADN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

Hi. I was just assuming u would need to take approx 1 year of prereqs plus 1 year of waiting list plus the program of 2 years. Approx give or take.

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

If you can afford to do this and you are going into with your eyes wide open I say go ahead. Just be prepared to not get a job in peds immediately, though with your background the odds of landing a pediatrics job right after graduation will be better than the average new grads odds.

ps I still think you're nuts for even considering it, but then like Emergent I also think people are nuts that climb Mt Everest

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2015

Based upon my experiences, I would have to advise against making the change. What good is it to get a nursing license if you can't obtain or maintain steady employment? Nearing retirement age is not a good time to throw away a job at all, much less one that pays well.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Dec 16, 2015

I would not give up a good paying job to pursue nursing. Maybe do your pre-reqs while keeping your current job to see if that itch goes away?

ahud2015 · Dec 16, 2015

Oh, boy! I must say in all honesty, I was not expecting the responses I've gotten. I thought I'd get a whole lot of, "It will be tough. School isn't easy and starting over isn't fun, BUT I love what I do and hope you do too!" With all due respect, I'm surprised by how almost everyone here sounds disappointed by what they do. Unhappy, overworked, unappreciated... underpaid. Yikes! That's exactly how I felt as a teacher. It was a huge bummer. (But thank you for chiming in.)

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I am also looking into work as an RRT. There is an excellent program at a local community college here. Same position though, leaving the job and going back to school....

@caliotter3 Good lord, I JUST turned 50! Retirement isn't until 65, so don't make me feel older than I already am. Please!! (cough, cough)