Quit current career

Nurses General Nursing

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Would you advice anyone to quit current career if they are only making $40,000/yr with only 2-3% raises every year and start over as a nurse? Do you think there are more opportunities to move up the career ladder in nursing?

Specializes in Psychiatric NP.
My opinion...I changed careers and actually took a hit financially my first years as a nurse. 2-3 % raises every year would be fabulous...I've never gotten that in my 20 years in nursing. Nursing also happens to have a wicked wage compression where you tend to get a stagnant salary after a few years.

To me the real question is, do you want to be a nurse? I'd not do it strictly for the money. It helps a lot if you like the work. There are a ton of options and some security but if you don't like the work, that's kind of like saying there are 5 million jobs and I don't want any of them. I know plenty of nurses who say exactly that.

Best wishes to you!

I agree with Quickbeam, job security isn't the biggest thing, the biggest issue is whether you think you will like living the life of a nurse. For example 12 hr shifts, evening shifts, organization, dealing with working from different patient rooms, not having your own workspace but having to share with your fellow co-workers, working as a team (which can be troublesome if you have nurse aides or secretaries who are reluctant to help) There are many pros and cons to consider. Even if there are tons of jobs out there, but you don't like doing it then who cares about job security? Nursing is not easy, so do it only if you think you will like it, not because of the pay or the job security.

Would you advice anyone to quit current career if they are only making $40,000/yr with only 2-3% raises every year and start over as a nurse? Do you think there are more opportunities to move up the career ladder in nursing?

There is a hugely important part of your question missing: are we advising someone to quit said job who desperately WANTS to be a nurse? Or just someone looking for a career change, any change, that will merit more than 40K a year with advancement opportunities?

If it's nursing you desperately want, then the pay will be sufficient for you. However, please do some research in your own geographic area; it's not unheard of for nurses to earn only $16 an hour either as a new grad. Hardly inspiring. But in other areas of the country, it's about double that. You say "only" 40K a year is what you're now earning, and that doesn't sound bad to most people.....you need to consider what it will cost to gain the education you need to become a brand-new nurse and the cost to family as well as financial picture. It isn't easy on either.

You will have more opportunities to advance DEPENDING on what education you earn, and the time spent IN that field. New RNs don't get management spots dropped in their laps. They get beginner jobs, like anywhere else. Time and effort and such is what earns spots up the career ladder, along with continuing education and collection of certifications (something most other fields do NOT require if you're already in the industry and working your way up).

Consider carefully why you want to make this change and research your own area before making such a huge decision for yourself and child.

The most important thing is do you think you would like the job. It is hard to be a nurse if you do not enjoy it. Many people go into it for the money but a lot of them are not the best nurses because their reasons for doing it were wrong.

The most important thing is do you think you would like the job. It is hard to be a nurse if you do not enjoy it. Many people go into it for the money but a lot of them are not the best nurses because their reasons for doing it were wrong.

I was considering the change mostly for the money. I really appreciate all your advice. I have some more research to do before making a decision. My husband doesn't really like the idea of nursing due to the hours and stress although I realize the decision finally lies with me. But I come from a developing country and I always imagine myself helping out at local hospitals whenever I visit back home--or even taking volunteer doctors and nurses with me to hold medical camps and offer free medical services. I feel so helpless whenever I visit home and have nothing substancial to offer.

But I realize whatever I have to do I must put myself and my family first and may be if God wants me to do this, he will open a door somewhere down the road even if it means after my kids are gone to school.

God bless and Happy Easter:balloons:

D.

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