Anyone left good paying job for nursing?

js142430, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2006

I am in the process of doing just that. I'm leaving a desk job that is very cozy and pays well. My replacement has been hired and I'm starting to get flack from my co-workers and my boss has done all he can do to try to get me to change my mind. It has been tough.

Two years ago when I started down the road you are and started taking pre-reqs, going to school was the only thing that kept me sane. My job is boring, nothing rewarding or satisfying about it. Now that it's almost time to close this chapter, I do question what I'm doing. But on the other hand, I have to look out for myself. I know that I will be more fulfilled, happier and in the long run, better off for making the sacrifices I'm making right now.

I guess my advice is, you only have to answer to yourself 5, 10, or 15 years down the road. You'll be the one looking in the mirror and you have to do what will make you happy.

HARRN2b · Nov 3, 2006

I left a good paying job, but I was bored to death. Plus, if the company downsized me, I knew I could never find a job that pays the same amount of money. This will give me more options. I also find I am not as tired anymore as I enjoy going to class and learning.

I do have anxiety though about how much this is going to cost in the end. Credit hours here are pricey.

Darth Nightingale · Nov 3, 2006

I did and I'm in Nursing school now. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was a supervisor and I was ok with that. There's a lot of stress that comes with being a shop floor supervisor in a big Pharma company and later a Medical device company. The higher up in mgmt. you get the more you get. I would look at my boss (from both companies) who were putting in 80 hours a week routinely and ask myself... is that what I really want for me?

Yes, he's making 100K plus and yes I could get there and do it to... but for that amount of stress (and the things you have to do) someone's life better be on the line and not just a manufacturing schedule... so I went into Nursing. I have no problems skipping breaks, lunches, getting moved around, working unpaid overtime (too a point) and having conflicting goals from my workers and my bosses... I can do that, and do it well... but not just for money. money is important but I wanted more out of a career and I think I have found it in Nursing.

angel337, MSN, RN · Nov 3, 2006

think long and hard about what you are getting into. nursing is no joke and you work HARD. you work long hours, weekends, holidays and sometimes rotating shifts, depending on the position. there are very few new nurses that come out of school with a comfy nursing job. if you have a good job now that pays well with good hours and benefits. think about if you want to give that up. shadow nurses for one week in a hopsital and see if it is something you can honestly say is worth the investment. good luck in what ever you decide.

Mulan · Nov 3, 2006

If I had a good paying job to leave nursing for, I'd be gone in a heartbeat.

Ginger35 · Nov 3, 2006

I really don't want to put down my profession as a nurse. BUT I will say that I got more respect working in a factory than working as a nurse.

I would like to think I am good at what I do - it seems that no matter how hard you work, no matter your education, nor certifications - it is not recognized in your paycheck nor by management in this profession. (other than the hiring process)... However, I will say that obtaining more degrees / certifications makes one more marketable in this profession when looking for a different job.

I know that in every industry, one has the pros and cons that come with it. I too am ready for a change. So, I am moving in the opposite direction - from nursing to a desk job. I've been in healthcare in some capacity for 17 years and a RN for 12 of them. In hind sight, I really wish that I had shadowed another nurse for atleast a month. I don't think that I would have entered this profession knowing what I know now.

My advice would be to definitely shadow another nurse....OR better yet a nurse tech / aid. As an RN you will not only perform jobs an RN can do - but also the non-glorious duties that the aids / techs do too.

I hope everyone finds what they are looking for.

Ginger

HARRN2b · Nov 3, 2006

Ginger,

really, I think it is our world we are living in. Sadly, it is all about the almighty dollar. When I first started in my first career (sales), it was all about the customer, as it should be. Today, the customer does not matter. I was spending too much time with a certain high volume customer (highest in the southeast) and got read the riot act for it. I have just decided it is all the same everywhere, every profession. This is the new reality. Ford Motor Co. even announced they are getting rid of their merit pay programs (who cares if you do a good job??)

Life in this century.....

HealthyRN · Nov 3, 2006

To all of you that said that you gave up your job and are now happily in nursing school, wait until you've graduated and are actually working in the field before you say that you are glad that you did it. Nursing school was a great time. I love learning and living the student life! Nursing, on the other hand, is a very difficult profession. I would not recommend it to anyone, UNLESS he or she has always wanted to be a nurse and cannot imagine doing anything else. Please do yourself a favor and shadow a nurse for at least a couple 12-hour shifts. Yes, there are lots of opportunities out there for nurses, but they will not fall into place right out of school or even a few years out of school. Make sure that you can handle being a staff nurse and that it is worth it to you. Remember, there are lots of other "helping" professions out there that do not require as much personal sacrifice as nursing. I wouldn't recommend staying at a job that is not satisfying and I am not discouraging anyone from pursuing their dream, but I really wish that someone would have said these things to me. Explore all of the options, shadow different professions, and if you still feel that nursing is what you want, go for it!

piper_for_hire · Nov 12, 2006

I left a six figure job to go into nursing. I suppose some people would consider that a good job, but I was a corporate drone. There is more to life than money. I'm one of the growing population of people who doesn't believe that a job defines me or that any job will be around long enough to provide some sort of pension or job security. Nursing is very interesting and you get some great life experiences out of it. I'm really glad I did it and I'll miss bedside nursing when I leave for school next fall. Totally worth doing.

-S

rclimbr · Nov 12, 2006

What is the definition of a "good job". I have been payed very well to show up and keep a seat warm, but that's not good. I was bored out of my mind. I want to be compensated monetarily but I also need intellectual stimulation for it to be considered good.

royr · Nov 12, 2006

Hi everyone!
Just wondering who out there has left a good paying job to go into nursing instead? I'm in an office job that pays well & is not bad - just been doing the same thing for 20 years & wanted something different & have started pre-reqs toward nursing - every day I question if I'm headed in the right direction. Am I crazy to give this up for nursing? Anyone wanting to share their own experience if they were in the same boat would be great! Thanks All !

I was a CEO for a well known computer network engineering firm in the NY area. After the events of 9/11 I retired early when I sold my company. Retirement was not all that I dreamed it would be and after 4 years I started to become bored - been there - saw that - very self serving. It was not how I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I will be graduating with my BS in Nursing in May 07 and for the most part feel that I am able to make a small difference in the world with my new Nursing skill set. Once I am an RN and have an actual job I will be better able to say if it was all worth it, and if I miss making big money or prefer to help people get well. So far I feel that I have made a change for the better because I am serving others directly - and that is far more satisfying than writting checks to charity and hoping others will do the right things with my money.