A break from nursing??

PAERRN20 · Oct 31, 2010

I am looking to take a break for about a year while I finish my degree. I'd be taking an almost $8/hr paycut, but its an office job with no evenings, nights, or weekends. I would work this job for a year or two max, and then go back to nursing. To me, the pay cut is worth it to have my sanity and family back!

martymoose, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

just a question here- so those of you who did take a break- how did you afford paying rent/mtg and health insurance? did you have a lot of savings then? or a spouse who could foot the bill?

btw op- sorry if i am slightly hijacking( like to look at it as more of a derail) only cause in taking a break one must consider how to replace income, so I thought it was relevant. will remove if not appropriate

Blackcat99 · Oct 31, 2010

I had savings in the bank that I had to use during my break.

nurseinlimbo · Oct 31, 2010

I would LOVE to take a break. I train horses on the side, and have been trying to do more of that and less nursing, but it hasn't worked so far. I also am the primary earner in the family right now, so can't just take a leave, even though I desperately need to.

I like the work, hate the politics, am tired of playing games with mgmt and not having steady work all yr. I am PT and have 2 prn jobs as well, just to get enough hrs yr round.

In a couple of yrs, my husband will be promoted and hopefully when that happens I can work truly PT and start enjoying life again.

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

I took a years break when I was an LPN. I went back into retail management and enjoyed it very much until I started missing nursing. I then went back to school and got my RN and have been back in nursing for the last 2 1/2 years. There are times I wish I would have gone to school for something totally different, but there is a reason for everything.

Oh yeah, I took a pay cut and pinched pennies. It wasnt easy but we managed!

merlee · Oct 31, 2010

After 25 years in nursing, my spouse started a job that would actually be ebough for me to take a break. I was a travel agent for nearly 3 years, but 9/11 more or less ended my career. I was making good money and great perks, but the bottom fell out, and my base salary of 10.10/hr just wasn't enough.

I went back to nursing, really happy to be back. But the break was great!

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Nov 1, 2010

jr - u hit the nail on the head. It's a biggie when one decides to break or leave the field. In my case, my hubbie is also an RN, and makes more than me, so were able to figure that into the situation. We have to do without some things, but it's worth it health wise.

Anne

Nomadnurse, L.P.N. · Nov 2, 2010

In order to take a break, I couldn't increase my income, so I decreased my out go. If you want to, or need to, take an extended break you may need to rearrange your living style or needs. "That clacking you hear is the rearranging of my list of priorities". I am now in the process of looking down the (short) road to retirement. I have decided to live on a sailboat on the Fla coast. If I want to do this sooner, rather than later, I will need a boat in the $25,000 range, or less, and pay it off in the next 2-3 years! This means I will need to compromise on the age of the boat. I already have some skills at boat repair (minor). Otherwise I would need to develop those skills, which may be an avenue for marketable skills other than nursing. When I lived in Fla, on a boat, I had a friend come over one afternoon to just talk. He said "You know you are paying $450/ mo to look across the Sound at my house and I am paying $750,000 to look back at your boat". I decided I didn't need a new SUV, just something reliable to get me around. I know this will not apply to everyone, but I guess I am just saying while you are worrying about your income, don't overlook your outflow as the possible answer.

(sorry about being so wordy).

Leelee2 · Nov 2, 2010

Yes, I am currently taking a break from nursing. What am I doing? Taking care of myself, (having some major health issues.) Since my condition worsens with stress, I cut out the nursing, at least for a year...maybe longer.

So I am volunteering, spending time with family and friends, getting more involved with church, enjoying long neglected hobbies, reading, getting out in the fresh air, etc. and even though it has only been a few weeks now, I am feeling so much better already. Get my labs done later this week, so I hope they reflect this!!

We needed to adjust our spending trends a bit. Spending less, going out to eat much less, cooking at home a lot more, vacationing less often. But I am making plans for my future, when I am again well enough to work again, by taking on line courses and continuing education certificates. Transfering my license to another state, as I intend to move as soon as my condition is more stable. I think that when your own health is deteriorating, it is time to take the time to take care of yourself!