From being a nurse to a flight attendant

[abschick]

I have been a RN for 7 years. I have worked in the med/surg, rehab and now ambulatory surgery center. My job is easy and most of the time I don't even have to go in (still get paid) because we don't have any cases. My only problem is the people who I work with. I cannot stand them just sitting around and do nothing. I end up being the only one who takes care of the patients all the time. I am sick of their gossips and sick of their attitude.

I am seriously considering changing my career. I want to travel and I want to take vacations too. I used to be a flight attendant when I was young and I did that for 3 years. The only reason why I did not work as a flight attendant for long because I was sick of being alone. Now I am married and I have a stable family, I really don't mind taking some time to travel and make some money. My only worry is the money that I am going to bring in to the family. It might mean a big pay cut. I really don't know what to do now. I know there are mean people everywhere but it seems to me that there are mean people in the medical industry than anywhere else. I really don't know what I should do now. I feel like I am in a dead end job. I wish my coworkers can disappear and life would be so much better.

[transducen, BSN, RN]

Just remember to think about your family, especially if your kids are under the age of 18.... before you travel, you can't get those years back, and they won't forget it either. As far as mean people at work, they are everywhere. Personally, I think it depends on where you live and if the people are happy with themselves and their work. If not, they are miserable and will make you miserable.

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

You can work agency and have a constant change of coworkers, therefore avoiding drama. Bank up chunks of time to travel for fun with the kids along.

[LuckOnMySidekt]

My opinion is stick with nursing!! Maybe a different job but don't go for flight attendant. My boyfriend is a pilot and its the thing I don't like most about him because he is always gone! It takes a toll on our relationship and I can't imagine throwing kids into the mix! I don't know how long ago you were a flight attendant but the industry has changed! They get no respect, awful schedules and even worse pay! Hope you figure things out! Just remember its not always greener on the other side!

[RNewbie]

How much do flight attendants make? I've always wondered. I would get tired of being on a cramped plane all day. I think there are a lot more options in nursing that you could be happy with. Co workers can ruin a good job. That's what I hate about nursing. You spend as much time with your co workers as your family and sometimes they can make you miserable while at work.

[Nurse ABC]

You'd just be trading one set of problems for another. Taking a pay cut and leaving your family behind all the time doesn't sound like a very good solution. What fun is traveling by yourself all the time without your family there to share it with anyway?I understand being frustrated with your co-workers! Quit doing all the patient care by yourself. Flat out say this time it's your turn and walk away. If you quit picking up all the slack they will be forced to. Once they realize you aren't going to keep doing all the work for them they will step it up a little and if they don't then report them. If you truly like your job then don't let them run you off. They may start looking for another job if they get in trouble for not doing theirs! There are many other nursing areas you could try as well if you need to get out of there. I would explore those first. Good luck!

[Marshall1]

What about traveling as a nurse? Alot of agencies now offer "local" or in state travel - you would get to see different places, avoid the office politics, make good money and take (or not) your family w/you.

[LilRedRN1973]

My good friend is an international flight attendant and I will admit, I get jealous when I see her constant trips to Rio De Janeiro, Fiji, and other exotic locations. She always seems to have tons of vacation time, even if it's only in 3-4 day chunks. She loves, loves, loves her job but she doesn't have a husband or kids. I can't imagine living out of a suitcase (pretty much what my friend does). But that's me :-)

[amarilla, RN]

Maybe you just need a change of pace and to be challenged again? I spent a few years on the floors and was really getting sick of same-old, same-old: ever-increasing paperwork and nonsense, lack of needed staffing and supplies and the expectation to smile as the waters continued to rise. I was a per diem float and my assignments were usually heavy and unpleasant to boot. I went back to school (for something non-nursing) and was really considering taking a job in my former field if I couldn't find a different venue...

turned out that the ED was a great fit for me and a few months in, I'm much happier. Every day is different, we turn and burn patients all day and everyone works together to get through the shift. Maybe a different specialty? Or traveling, even taking local assignments to try out different areas? You could do so many things with your background - maybe call up a few agencies and find out what's out there? Good luck.

[RockinChick66]

The grass ain't always greener on the other side. Remember that flight attendant that caused such a stir not long ago pulling the chute. He got sick and tired of demanding people. In the end, do what u want. It's your life.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I thought about flighting attending too. I woud love that job. However, I'm married so hubby may not go for it.

[rn/writer, RN]

Think long and hard before jumping into the flight attendant world. You'll face many of the same challenges you find in nursing--safety concerns, difficult people, time pressure, budget cutbacks--but there are some definite differences that make flight attendant work riskier and more challenging.

Here's just one example. For many airlines (maybe all, but I don't know this for certain), flight attendants are considered "on the clock" only during the time between the closing of the cabin door before push-back and the opening of the cabin door upon arrival. They don't get paid for the time spent helping passengers find their seats and stow their luggage. They don't get paid for the time it takes to get passengers off the plane unless the flight is continuing on another leg.

Keep in mind, too, that all airline personnel are subject to wage and benefit concessions that can result in skimpier paychecks than they were receiving five years ago. Pensions may vastly shrink or even disappear.

Flight attendants working international routes may have things a little better, but a growing number of those bidding on domestic flights work second jobs. The little bit of glamor and the travel perks may not begin to outweigh the hassles and frustrations that accompany working as a flight attendant in today's economy.

I'm not trying to discourage you. Only to encourage you to really do your homework before taking the plunge.

Best wishes.