Career switch - from 6 figure salary

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just wanted to share my situation for those of you who are thinking of changing careers -- you are not alone!

I currently work in the IT field and make 108k a year (in NJ). I have a 5 month old baby girl, who I only see for 1.5-2 hrs at night during the week, then on Sat and Sunday. That just isn't enough for me. I have decided to switch careers and become a nurse. I am going back to school in Fall. It should take me 2 1/2 years. If all goes according to plan I will take the boards Dec '06.

I have been mulling over being a nurse for some time. The IT job just doesn't satisfy me. Though the $$ is great, I feel that if I have to be away from my daughter I should be doing something more rewarding and fulfilling. I must admit, the flexible hours are a huge draw as well. As a nurse I would work 2-3 nights a week, and be able to spend my days with my daughter -- no daycare necessary! :p Plus, NJ has lots of opportunities for nurses.

I would like another child, but want to make sure I am at least done with my final class before giving birth. They would end up 3 yrs apart, but I don't want to risk not being able to finish school - especially with the investment we will be making (savings runs out after a year - so we are in for loans and any part time work I can get at night to try to make up some of the difference).

We have a lot to work out, but I am taking it one semester at a time. I think going back to school to be a nurse takes 100% committment - but the good news is at least in the beginning I'll see more of my daughter going to school (taking Chem and Bio first semester) than I do right now working fulltime and commuting 1.5 hours each way!.

Anyone who is in the same boat and would like support or has any questions, feel free to contact me!

Melly06

I am in a very similar position - work in a consulting field and make a similar salary. I decided to go back to school in August 2004 and become a respiratory therapist (was considering nursing - decided on RT). I am VERY worried about the money issue - but I am very attracted by the medical field and the flexibility when children come. But I am still reeling in my head about the paycut...

I am also making a career change to Respiratory Therapy after working in various office positions for the past 16 years. I originally looked at nursing but decided on RT for several reasons. My goal is to get into critical patient care...I shadowed a couple of RTs in the ER and Trauma units and could easily picture myself in the RT role. I also find the idea of specializing appealing. Finally, I didn't want to wait a year (or probably longer) to get into a nursing program. The programs that I've looked into around here (suburban DC) all have waitlists and won't allow you to apply until you've finished the prerequisites. I've been accepted into a second degree BS Respiratory Care program which starts this August. It's 3 semsesters which means that I'll be taking my exam next August (2005).

Making a major career change at 38 is a little frightening. I know the paycut will bite but I figure it's a small price to pay in order to move into a field that I will find personally challenging and rewarding.

Best of luck to all of you.

Best of luck to you, too! Unfortunately, I have to go to a "traditional" AA degree program to get my RRT -- four semesters. None of my previous degrees count...glad to see another fellow RT to be student lurking about. There are some RT boards but they cannot compare to this one!

I am also making a career change to Respiratory Therapy after working in various office positions for the past 16 years. I originally looked at nursing but decided on RT for several reasons. My goal is to get into critical patient care...I shadowed a couple of RTs in the ER and Trauma units and could easily picture myself in the RT role. I also find the idea of specializing appealing. Finally, I didn't want to wait a year (or probably longer) to get into a nursing program. The programs that I've looked into around here (suburban DC) all have waitlists and won't allow you to apply until you've finished the prerequisites. I've been accepted into a second degree BS Respiratory Care program which starts this August. It's 3 semsesters which means that I'll be taking my exam next August (2005).

Making a major career change at 38 is a little frightening. I know the paycut will bite but I figure it's a small price to pay in order to move into a field that I will find personally challenging and rewarding.

Best of luck to all of you.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" Anais Nin

Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
i was surprised the original poster didn't look into part time it work. more time off, more time with child.

i agree with those who say that most nursing jobs are the least flexible of any work i've seen. i'm a career change nurse and was not prepared for that. as evidenced by many posts, there are some nice rn careers out there which allow you to have the schedule of your choice...i work m-r, 10 hour days, no weekends, no holidays. it did take 20 years to find that job, however!

re: the idea of nursing as ideal for parents of young kids...well, i can't let anyone walk away from this thread thinking that. if you think the waters part and that people are anxious to fill your holidays, sick kid days, maternity leaves, etc etc...whew, so wrong. every worker deserves equal respect, not just parents of young kids. you will rapidly become a persona non grata if you are constantly begging people to cover kiddee birthdays, ear aches, christmas, etc. for you. just fair warning.

[color=maroon]there is great truth in the saying "different strokes for different folks". i am a student changing careers to nursing. it's interesting that you say it took you 20 years to get weekends off. in my last job (non-medical), everyone vied for the 9-5 m-f positions. i was "forced" into a 9-5 m-f job because our department eliminated nights and weekends. i was devastated. i intensely dislike (i'm trying to stop using the word -hate:) ) those "desirable" shifts. mind you, i like some weekends off because that's when everyone else is off, and people tend to get married, attend religious services, etc.on the weekends) but for the most part, nights, overnights, and weekends are when i prefer to work i have always been able to work my schedule around these times.

[color=maroon] from your comments about holidays, i think my future co-workers are going to love me because i will work for them on these type days.

Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
i made the switch from working in human resources into nursing and i regret that decision everyday.

i would never go into nursing if i knew then what i know now.

just think about it. i haven't read all of the posts for this message, but i had to put my 2cents out there. i did exactly what you are thinking about doing and the benefits are just not there. sorry.

have you looked into other nursing opportunities? i once worked in the benefits department of a large company that employed nurses in the disability department. they worked "normal" day hours doing mainly paperwork and employee interviews. what about clinics, medical offices, schools, etc.? from previous experience, it is no fun doing something you don't like day after day.

i am currently a student and i am looking forward to my nursing career. i am learning a lot from this discussion board as well as talking to nurses that i know. i am going to explore more desirable options (for me) as much as my limited experience will allow me when i graduate. in my area (atlanta) there are a lot of 3 day 12-hour shifts being worked. and in other parts of the state 12-hour weekend shifts. what's happening in your area?

Just my 2 cents. You CAN make a lot of money being a nurse. I made $107K last year, but I did work quite a bit.....probably averaged somewhere around 52-54 hours/week. I'm PRN, and I work nights so my night diff. helps some. That said, I'm starting CRNA school in August so that I can make much more money and not work as much and less physically demanding. It's very easy to get burned out working as much as I have the last 2 years since I got out of nursing school. I still think nursing is a great field to get into. Just be careful not to work too hard.

Hello ThornVa..

That is why I am now living in Goodwell, OK. I was able to get into their nursing school almost right away without a wait. I investigated the Washington State area and there was a 3 year waiting list, and to top it off, I would have had to re-take all of my sciences since they were over 5 yrs old. You really have to shop around and find the best program and what is right for you in the Medical field. I am hoping that I can still utilize my background in IT and provide Nursing care. My golas are Research Nursing and Nurse Practitioner, and to get back to Washington State..

Hello ThornVa..

That is why I am now living in Goodwell, OK. I was able to get into their nursing school almost right away without a wait. I investigated the Washington State area and there was a 3 year waiting list, and to top it off, I would have had to re-take all of my sciences since they were over 5 yrs old. You really have to shop around and find the best program and what is right for you in the Medical field. I am hoping that I can still utilize my background in IT and provide Nursing care. My golas are Research Nursing and Nurse Practitioner, and to get back to Washington State..

Hello ThornVa..

That is why I am now living in Goodwell, OK. I was able to get into their nursing school almost right away without a wait. I investigated the Washington State area and there was a 3 year waiting list, and to top it off, I would have had to re-take all of my sciences since they were over 5 yrs old. You really have to shop around and find the best program and what is right for you in the Medical field. I am hoping that I can still utilize my background in IT and provide Nursing care. My golas are Research Nursing and Nurse Practitioner, and to get back to Washington State..

Hi Mary,

That's great that you can relocate to attend nursing school. I wish you all the best. Although the waitlists and prerequisites for the local nursing schools were factors in my decision, there are other reasons why I'm choosing RT. You're absolutely right about shopping around to find the best medical career that will fulfill our personal goals. I learned about the RT profession while researching a potential nursing career. I had anticipated attending my local CC for RT when I discovered that a nearby university offers a BS. Even though it's 90 miles away, I only have to drive there 2-3 days a week for 2 semesters. Fortunately, they'll allow me to take my clinicals much closer to home. I'm interested in emergency/critical care where RTs play a large role along with the nurses and doctors. I'm just not sure whether or not I want to specialize in adult or pediatric care. I'm hoping that I'll figure that out when I start my clinicals.

Regards,

Corey

Hello ThornVa..

That is why I am now living in Goodwell, OK. I was able to get into their nursing school almost right away without a wait. I investigated the Washington State area and there was a 3 year waiting list, and to top it off, I would have had to re-take all of my sciences since they were over 5 yrs old. You really have to shop around and find the best program and what is right for you in the Medical field. I am hoping that I can still utilize my background in IT and provide Nursing care. My golas are Research Nursing and Nurse Practitioner, and to get back to Washington State..

Hi Mary,

That's great that you can relocate to attend nursing school. I wish you all the best. Although the waitlists and prerequisites for the local nursing schools were factors in my decision, there are other reasons why I'm choosing RT. You're absolutely right about shopping around to find the best medical career that will fulfill our personal goals. I learned about the RT profession while researching a potential nursing career. I had anticipated attending my local CC for RT when I discovered that a nearby university offers a BS. Even though it's 90 miles away, I only have to drive there 2-3 days a week for 2 semesters. Fortunately, they'll allow me to take my clinicals much closer to home. I'm interested in emergency/critical care where RTs play a large role along with the nurses and doctors. I'm just not sure whether or not I want to specialize in adult or pediatric care. I'm hoping that I'll figure that out when I start my clinicals.

Regards,

Corey

Hi Corey,

Getting a BS is a very smart thing to do.. I plan to do that as well. 90 miles is really not that far.. A good studying strategy is to read your textbook into a tape recorder and play it on the way to school.

In the panhandle of OK, distance is pretty standard. It is nothing for people to drive to Amarillo for a shopping trip. It is the closest city and it is 120 miles away. I think if you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get there. I hope the gas prices cooperate for you...

Good luck and take care..

mary

Hi Corey,

Getting a BS is a very smart thing to do.. I plan to do that as well. 90 miles is really not that far.. A good studying strategy is to read your textbook into a tape recorder and play it on the way to school.

In the panhandle of OK, distance is pretty standard. It is nothing for people to drive to Amarillo for a shopping trip. It is the closest city and it is 120 miles away. I think if you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get there. I hope the gas prices cooperate for you...

Good luck and take care..

mary

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