Banker to nurse - Would you make the switch

[xinah]

Considering switching careers to nursing from banking. I'm particularly interested in Women's Health - L&D, surgery. I'd like to work part time (24 hours), so that I can be home with kids the other days. I want to hear from folks who have made career changes, as well as from nurses specifically working in Women's Health. What would you advise?

[njmj]

Well if you're looking for mentally stimulating and active, you've come to the right place. Where I work, it can be years before you have the opportunity to switch to days. I'm not a night person either, but I've come to like the night shift. It pays better. Then I don't have to worry about taking off for every activity that comes up at school. If your kids are in school for a long 6+ hour stretch, you should be ok. Some people don't sleep well during the day. I usually can sleep from about 8 or 9 until 2, which is enough for me. It's not the same quality I get when I sleep at night, but it's enough to recharge. I try to schedule my work days consecutively, then I switch back to a normal schedule when I'm off for 4. It works for me. Lots of people do not like to do x3 consecutive. It's exhausting, and I basically don't see my family much for those days - 3 hours tops with the kids, and I don't see my husband at all those 3 days. You get used to it pretty quickly. The first month I was like "wow, I don't think I can do this." Since then it hasn't bothered me. Good luck! I think if it's really something you want to do, you'll make it work with your family situation.