Career change to nursing?

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Hello,

I've been considering a career change for quite some time now and think psychiatric nursing is something that I'd enjoy doing. I'm 24 years old and for the past 5 years I've worked in the railroad industry as a conductor/locomotive engineer. Even though I do not find my job fulfilling, and working on call 24/7-365 is a great way to knock about 20 years off your life, I feel like I'm trapped by golden handcuffs so to speak.. I'm currently making over 6 figures and realize that if I do quit and go back to school for nursing, not only will I not have an income for about 3 years, but ill have to accept about a 50k a year cut in pay after I graduate and get a job.

I've talked to a few different people about it, some people think I should go for it and others think I'd regret it. I feel like I'd enjoy helping people with mental illnesses because I've been diagnosed with and treated for PTSD and depression in the past. I feel like I have a background in which I could relate to some of the people going through psychiatric problems. Anyone have advice for me?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I guess the first question is this: Do you understand that you train as a generalist? In other words, you do med-surg, OB, peds etc during school. Unlike other countries, you have to pass all of these courses and more to be eligible for licensure.

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I noticed you live in the US? It must be different here in Canada, because there are schools that offer a bachelor's in psychiatric nursing.

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Specializes in ICU, ED.

I can speak to this question in terms of changing careers. I was 38 with an established and successful career, but it wasn't fulfilling. With my wife's support and urging, I decided to pursue a degree/career in nursing (I'm in the U.S.). Fortunately, her career allowed me to leave my job and attend university. I realize you're not in a similar situation, but perhaps you could take a couple of years and prepare yourself financially to go to school full time?

I do not regret my decision at all. Nursing is obviously a challenging career, but it is very rewarding if helping people is something you truly want to do. Life's too short to be unhappy. Money is great and it definitely makes many things in life easier, but it also isn't everything.

One last bit of advice, perhaps you could take a few classes at a community college? I spent a year taking pre-requisite courses at a community college before attending university full time. It allowed me to see if I had what it took, academically, to assume the rigors of a full academic load nearly 20 years after I graduated with my first degree.

Best of luck!

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I can relate to your post. I have a previous degree in finance and I am graduating nursing school in 30 days. I worked for about 8 years and was making close to 6 figures.

Money isn't everything and nursing would be a life long journey for you.

You can also further specialize and become a NP, DNP as well and make good money.

For me getting up and putting on the armor is way more fulfilling than the money every has been.

Good luck.

P.S. - See about possibly volunteering in the setting your interested in - HIPPA makes it hard but

who knows.

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Hi I did that already. I was in your exact situation and I'm 36 years old now. I worked as and Engineer for so many years to quit and go back to nursing school !!!. I already graduate and passed my board yesterday.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

You're only 24! You have enough time to do anything! That being said, you really should attempt some job shadowing or PRN aide work before making a huge leap like that. That expression "the grass is always greener" exists for a reason. Most people don't feel fulfilled by their jobs-even if it is something you are very passionate about; the act of making it "work" often detracts from that. To be your age making that kind of money is a unique opportunity that most don't have and should be seriously considered (as I'm sure you have). You could easily retire comfortably while still young enough to enjoy it. However, I can say that psychiatric nursing has been rewarding on most levels for me but it's pretty much all I've done my entire career, so not a lot to compare it to.

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As a Registered Psych Nurse in Canada I just want to chime in! If I could go back I wouldn't take the RPN program again. It really limits your future as a nurse and I'm regretting it now. I would go for your RN and then work in psych- you'll have much more flexibility. Good luck!

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You will be young enough when you retire from the railroad to still have a long career in nursing.

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Move to the bay area or sacramento and you will make way over 100k. In Sacramento you can buy nice house for 400k. Plus schedule is so flexible. Psych nursing is very much in demand. Also have you looked into psych NP seems like a very interesting career. Best of luck

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