Career Change

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Hello,

I'm currently working as an airline pilot getting tired of the decline in wages and benefits, plus being away from home 4 days a week really gets old.

My bro and his wife, as well as my mom are nurses and talk about the benefits of being a nurse.

Anyone here make a career change and enroll in nursing school?

What are the wages like for a nurse with a few years experience and average overtime? I realize you shouldn't get into any job for the money, but I've been making about $60K a year for the last couple years and realize how paying the mortgage is dependant on collecting a decent paycheck.

I'm 25 and this is a long term investment in my future...Something the airlines aren't.

Thank you!

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no one with a similar experience?

Bueler?

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

HI Jumppilot!

I am currently going through a career change. I have not started working as an RN, but will be very soon. Initially, I will have to make due with a paycut, but I'm sure that in time the initial hickey will be worth it. I need to change careers because I need a better schedule than the one I have now.

I realize you shouldn't get into any job for the money

Well, I kind of disagree with you there. Why not get into a career that you can make some money AND help people? I don't think there's anything wrong with that thought.

Wages vary according to experience, location, shift, and the area of nursing you pursue.

I'm kind of surprised. I have never heard of an airline pilot who wanted to get out without missing flying.

I'm sure there are many other posters who can be of better help to you. I hope I helped at least a little!

Best of luck to you in your decision.

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I have never heard of an airline pilot who wanted to get out without missing flying.

Oh I'll miss the flying, but not the job!

Thank you for the reply. I registered for classes today!

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Hey pilot, I'm also changing my career to nursing. Reason: jobs outlook, tire of sitting in front of the computer working (surfing lol), schedue (flexiblity), helping people better than sit on my @ss all day and MONEY (lol), just kidding on that one. I said it because when I told my friend and the first thing she said, "is it for the money", and I said "wait, new grad get pay 6 figs???" then she said "No", and I said "oh, well then" I just can't stand it anymore when people say that, because first, I need to pay my bills, and if don't "work" for the money in any occupations, I'll be living on the street. SOrry for the rant...

But yea, there are plenty of people in this forum are career changer, you're not alone, and since 3 of your family members are nurses, I think you also learn a lot from them and get ahead start.

Hello,

I'm currently working as an airline pilot getting tired of the decline in wages and benefits, plus being away from home 4 days a week really gets old.

My bro and his wife, as well as my mom are nurses and talk about the benefits of being a nurse.

Anyone here make a career change and enroll in nursing school?

What are the wages like for a nurse with a few years experience and average overtime? I realize you shouldn't get into any job for the money, but I've been making about $60K a year for the last couple years and realize how paying the mortgage is dependant on collecting a decent paycheck.

I'm 25 and this is a long term investment in my future...Something the airlines aren't.

Thank you!

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Well, congratulations on registering for classes!

Study hard and you'll do fine!

I knew you would miss the flying....

Best of luck!

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jumppilot, Good luck on the career change! As a fellow aviator I know you will miss the flying, but I have known a lot of airline pilots and have seen what they go through. Strikes, layoffs, and pay cuts seem to be the norm for airlines today, unless you hook up with a good carrier. As a police officer I never thought I would live in the same neighborhood with airline pilots, but here I am in pilot heaven and seeing some of my airline pilot neighbors have to move out because they can no longer afford to live here. I started down the career path to be a nurse years ago but got sidetracked into law enforcement. That's another story....I'm flying the LE birds now and having a great time but I am still trying to figure a way to get back into nursing.:)

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jumppilot, Good luck on the career change! As a fellow aviator I know you will miss the flying, but I have known a lot of airline pilots and have seen what they go through. Strikes, layoffs, and pay cuts seem to be the norm for airlines today, unless you hook up with a good carrier. As a police officer I never thought I would live in the same neighborhood with airline pilots, but here I am in pilot heaven and seeing some of my airline pilot neighbors have to move out because they can no longer afford to live here. I started down the career path to be a nurse years ago but got sidetracked into law enforcement. That's another story....I'm flying the LE birds now and having a great time but I am still trying to figure a way to get back into nursing.:)

58Flyer...I can only imagine that means the BE-58 or the OH-58. You being a LE pilot, I suspect you mean the helicopter. Either way, they are both nice birds!

It is interesting what you say about law enforcement and airline pilots. My father is a police officer and it has done quite well for him, yet I see many of my friends, who are susposed to be working the great job of airline pilot, struggle to make ends meet. Funny how that works out, especially when dealing with the public perception of what you *should* be making!!

Everyone, thanks for the replies!!! It's going to be a tough couple years, going from making decent money to zero, but I'm sure I'll thank myself when I'm older!

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58Flyer...I can only imagine that means the BE-58 or the OH-58. You being a LE pilot, I suspect you mean the helicopter. Either way, they are both nice birds!

You nailed it! I've had a few folks here ask what I meant by 58. I flew the OH-58 till recently when my boss stole it and stuck me with a fixed wing (182). At least I can take it to the house and I am the only one in my agency who can do that since I have a 6000 ft runway in my backyard. Nice having a take home aircraft. May soon get assigned a B206BIII so I might want to change my name to 206flyer.

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you nailed it! i've had a few folks here ask what i meant by 58. i flew the oh-58 till recently when my boss stole it and stuck me with a fixed wing (182). at least i can take it to the house and i am the only one in my agency who can do that since i have a 6000 ft runway in my backyard. nice having a take home aircraft. may soon get assigned a b206biii so i might want to change my name to 206flyer.

living on an airpark must be nice!! i have a buddy that lives at a place called eagles nest (2ts6) south of dallas. we used to go out to his garage for beer and it was always cool seeing his 172 right next to the fridge!

i fly the emb-145 right now.

you don't fly for customs by chance do you?

be safe!!

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Hello,

I'm currently working as an airline pilot getting tired of the decline in wages and benefits, plus being away from home 4 days a week really gets old.

My bro and his wife, as well as my mom are nurses and talk about the benefits of being a nurse.

Anyone here make a career change and enroll in nursing school?

What are the wages like for a nurse with a few years experience and average overtime? I realize you shouldn't get into any job for the money, but I've been making about $60K a year for the last couple years and realize how paying the mortgage is dependant on collecting a decent paycheck.

I'm 25 and this is a long term investment in my future...Something the airlines aren't.

Thank you!

Hi Jumppilot,

I did this exact career change..I was furloughed from a major airline over 3 years ago, went to nursing school and graduated in December. I do miss the flying ( and nonrev bennies !) but I do enjoy my new profession.

I plan on eventually going back to flying when recalled and will try to work as an RN on a per diem basis..I want to keep up my nursing skills and with the airline industry the way it is..I think it's a good idea to have another career available.

If you have any questions feel free to pm me or post here.

Take care!

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery, Med/Surg-tele.

I was a Flight Attendant for 15+ years, left the industry and am pursing the nursing field......The decision to leave aviation was simple due to the fact, as you mentioned, there is no long term assurance--- no job stability what-so-ever....

Hand's down, leaving was the best decision I have ever made for myself...I honestly wish I would have done it YEARS ago----

Be safe!!!!

Dawn

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