? for 2nd career nursing students.....

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For you 2nd career nursing students, when you decided to leave your last career for nursing, did you ever feel that you shouldn't give up that career because of the number of years you have put in? Did you ever wonder maybe you should stay so you don't have to start over and lose seniority? Or what if I don't make it in school and will not have a job to return to?

I start classes in 2 wks, 3 days and I am wondering all of these things. 2 weeks ago, I said I had cold feet, now I'm beginning to think I have "frozen" feet.

Someone said yesterday to me, "why would someone give up all their years and seniority" and of course then I began to wonder. (they were not referring to me, but it got me thinking) I have 13 years with the federal government and am comfortable with my job. Maybe too comfortable.

Help, I think I am stressing!!!!

Hi Deb,

I was doing just fine until yesterday when I got a call that I was accepted into a CNA Training / Job Program. I decide that I wanted to test the Nursing waters, so while I take my pre-req's. I will work as a CNA.

Everything was going well til I got accepted and then all yesterday evening I was worrying about "am I making the right decision" "will we be allright as far as money" the reality just hit me like a ton of bricks and set in.

Up until now I have been taking a class here and there but now it's real. I have had butterflies all day.

It is scary, the good kind of scary. Where there is a will, there is a way and I have faith that everything will work out. When I get scared I think about what I am doing now and how it is a complete waste of my god given talents. It's not fair to yourself or anyone else to waste your talents. And I also think, if I were to die today, is this really how I would have wanted to live my life? Am I happy doing what I am doing? Did I really go to my full potential?

When I think about that I know I am doing the right thing and I start to calm down.

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Specializes in NICU.

To Deb and all the other soon-to-be students:

You can do it, there will be good times and bad times, but it will pass very quickly (although it won't seem that way at the time). I went back to school at 40, single mom with two kids, and I have never regretted it. I love my job, still learn something new every day. We do have bad days, when we go home frustrated and exhausted, but I have more good days, and it's nice to know that I can make a difference in the outcome of a patient and the family (I work with sick newborns).

Mimi

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Originally posted by colleen10

Hi Deb,

I was doing just fine until yesterday when I got a call that I was accepted into a CNA Training / Job Program. I decide that I wanted to test the Nursing waters, so while I take my pre-req's. I will work as a CNA.

Everything was going well til I got accepted and then all yesterday evening I was worrying about "am I making the right decision" "will we be allright as far as money" the reality just hit me like a ton of bricks and set in.

Up until now I have been taking a class here and there but now it's real. I have had butterflies all day.

It is scary, the good kind of scary. Where there is a will, there is a way and I have faith that everything will work out. When I get scared I think about what I am doing now and how it is a complete waste of my god given talents. It's not fair to yourself or anyone else to waste your talents. And I also think, if I were to die today, is this really how I would have wanted to live my life? Am I happy doing what I am doing? Did I really go to my full potential?

When I think about that I know I am doing the right thing and I start to calm down.

Colleen, Did you quit your job yet? I have been trying to get into a hospital but no calls yet. If I could line up a part-time job, I think I would feel better. Thanks for your input, it always feels good to hear it. I am still working, don't know what I am doing with my job yet.

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Originally posted by Mimi2RN

To Deb and all the other soon-to-be students:

You can do it, there will be good times and bad times, but it will pass very quickly (although it won't seem that way at the time). I went back to school at 40, single mom with two kids, and I have never regretted it. I love my job, still learn something new every day. We do have bad days, when we go home frustrated and exhausted, but I have more good days, and it's nice to know that I can make a difference in the outcome of a patient and the family (I work with sick newborns).

Mimi

Thanks Mimi. I will turn 40 in December so I think that is another reason I question myself. Some days I feel too old to change, but from reading everything here, I see that I am not alone. I also have two small children and hope I can fit in my study time and still give them the attention they need.

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Hi Deb,

I haven't given notice yet because my training doesn't start til the second week of September and I am only going to give my current employer the minimum 2 weeks notice.

I don't really do anything around here and they would just put a temp. in my place anyway so I don't really feel bad or feel like I'm leaving them stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have only been here 6 months and they have made it quite clear to me that because I am a young woman they will not give me further responsibilities nor explain my job duties to me. I could get pregnant and leave, you know ;)

Plus, I am not sure how they will react to my leaving so, two weeks is fine by me.

For all the publicity of there being a shortage it took me quite a while to find a job. I applied to Hospitals for "Patient Care Tech. Jobs" multiple times but never heard anything back from them. I researched a lot of the LTC facilities but few of them had training and tuition reimbursement like the one that I will be working at so I am glad I got hired where I did.

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I had 19 years in at the family firm. Gave it all up to go back to university and become a nurse-cold feet would be an understatement. I have one year of school left and now I cant be happier with my decision. Senority has nothing to do with personal fullfillment. Good luck!

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Originally posted by suzielee

I had 19 years in at the family firm. Gave it all up to go back to university and become a nurse-cold feet would be an understatement. I have one year of school left and now I cant be happier with my decision. Senority has nothing to do with personal fullfillment. Good luck!

Suzielee,

You are right about personal fulfillment, that is what I am looking for. I want to do something that will make a difference. Thanks, I know once school starts, I will be ok.

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I agree- when we step out of the realm of the familiar, cold feet are completely normal. Just remind yourself of why you made this decision in the first place. I know you have good reasons.

Kim

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I think everyone needs a change every ten years or so. I'm on my third or fourth career now :) and never looked back whenever I changed. Security nets are nice but the last year has shown us that they can be jerked out from under us at any time.

Embrace change! Life is change! Something new every day. You may hate change, you may fight change, but things are going to change one way or another. Might as well do something that interests you and keep those brain cells expanding!

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