Specializes in Mostly: Occup Health; ER; Informatics.
I have very similar responses to this other poster, except #8 (I have much worse benefits/security as a nurse, a worse work schedule, less than half the pay as my prior two careers, but am usually satisfied or even happy daily now.)
1.What was career #1? Business consultant
2.Are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1? Absolutely3.Did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? Because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)? I was very unhappy doing my other job
4.Was/Is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be? Overall better - but with certain caveats
5.Have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? Was the change in career worth it? Sometimes I think I should have stayed. But then a good day at work makes me think "are you crazy?" The change was worth it - most of the time (maybe 80-85% of the time).
6.Are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1? Significantly lower in terms of pay and prestige and control over my workday/environment
7.I don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before? Although I earn much less, I think it is a very good paycheck for the level of education required and the work I do. I never feel underpaid.8.How has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? Or not much change? Much better benefits. Much more job security.
9.What did your family think about your career change? They thought/think I was absolutely and completely off of my rocker to make the switch.
Just to quickly answer one question, my pay is better especially working weekends, but the downside is, if I do too many days/longer shifts, a third of my pay goes in tax. And we do not get extra money when rung by a psychotic, overstressed nurse manager for dropping everything and going to work.
I am unsatisfied with nursing as a career as a whole - don't even get enough time to spend with families of hospice patients or to listen to their fears/concerns. That annoys me and the fact that some nurses/managers do not take nursing seriously enough.
I'm going to be following what I see to be a pattern here......
1. What was career #1? Telecom manager
2. Are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1? - Yes. Overall, I find nursing to be much more fulfilling than what I did in the corporate world. And the thought "I can't believe they pay me to do this stuff" never ever crossed my mind in career #1.
3. Did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? Because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)? - I was totally burnt out with being a "suit" and miserably unhappy.
4. Was/Is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be? - As good as in most ways, better in some.
5. Have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? Was the change in career worth it? - No. Yes.
6. Are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1? - Considerably higher in career #1.
7. I don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before? - Including bonuses, I took about a 60% pay cut.
8. How has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? Or not much change? - No change. I have benefits from my buyout package.
9. What did your family think about your career change? - 100% support. All thought it would be a good fit. Many nurses & doctors in family so they were very pleased.
This is a question for all of you who have started nursing as a second career.
1. What was career #1? Administrative Assistant
2. Are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1? Yes, generally I am much happier because I've wanted to be a nurse for a very long time. Some days I still walk away shell shocked and think "what have a done?", but those days don't overshadow the good things that nursing has brought to my life. I love people and I knew I wanted to work with them even if it can be trying at times.
3. Did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? Because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)? I had a really good job during nursing school and I was making only a little less than I'm making as a nurse with a LOT less responsibility and a LOT more flexibility of schedule on work days. I absolutely HATED sitting at a desk for 40-50 hours a week though and I didn't get nearly enough interaction with people as I'd like. I also love the medical field and I love to try to put the puzzle together and give great care in my new profession.
4. Was/Is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be? Nursing is about what I thought it would be. Thankfully I knew what I was getting into from reading here on the forum. I think I had rose tinted glasses before I found this forum during nursing school. But even with any downsides like bad nurse/patient ratios and the occasional rude doc or horrible family member/patient I'd rather be nursing. I love moving around all day and working with the public. I love to care for people and to be rewarded with thank yous from patients and family members who've been touched.
5. Have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? Was the change in career worth it? Glad I made the move. I still do keep up with the old company and do a bit for them each month. It works for both of us.
6. Are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1? About the same, I guess.
7. I don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before? Yes, it's a little better than the last one.
8. How has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? Or not much change? Benefits at this job are similar to the last job. I thought that hospital benefits would be a lot better than they are. But they are adequate and I am thankful for them all the same.
9. What did your family think about your career change? Family supported me and wants me to be happy.
2. Are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1?
YES
3. Did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? Because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)?
Very unhappy being an educator due to lack of power to change anything, but being held accountable for everything, which I know some nurses feel, but I haven't noticed it nearly as much in nursing.
4. Was/Is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be?
Nursing is as good as I thought it would be
5. Have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? Was the change in career worth it?
Yes, sometimes I wish I had a teacher's schedule again because the time off was soooo nice! But the change was worth it.
6. Are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1?
In the same place with nursing, but it is much easier in nursing to move up than it was with teaching. I just choose not to.
7. I don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before?
When I got out of school I made $10,000 more than I did after 12 years of teaching. So it's much better pay.
8. How has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? Or not much change?
Benefits in nursing (health insurance, etc.) really are much worse than for education. Health insurance in particular is WAY worse. Luckily my husband is still in education and we take his benefits. Retirement in nursing is also much worse with no pension plan, unless I were to work with the US Government.
9. What did your family think about your career change?
They were all for it and are glad that I'm in nursing.
2. Are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1?
- There are many trade offs. Overall I'm happier with nursing, because the money is better and I can keep things fresh by changing my area of practice.
3. Did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? Because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)?
- Initially I was motivated to switch for financial reasons and because I was interested in flight nursing.
4. Was/Is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be?
- All of the above. It's a mixed bag.
5. Have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? Was the change in career worth it?
- The change was worth it, but I haven't ruled out going back at some point.
6. Are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1?
- Meh, about the same.
7. I don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before?
- The nursing paycheck is definitely better, and I don't have to work as hard for it.
8. How has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? Or not much change?
- About the same... better retirement benefits.
9. What did your family think about your career change?
this is a question for all of you who have started nursing as a second career.
1. what was career #1? medical claims adjuster
2. are you happier with nursing as a career than you were with career #1? heck yeah, i'm no longer sitting behind a desk all alone
3. did you get into nursing because you had a dead end job? because you were unhappy with career #1 (although you had a good job)? both
4. was/is nursing as good as, better than, or worse than you thought it would be? i had no expectations going into nursing, i was hoping it would be better than the job i had
5. have you ever thought that you should have stayed with your original career? no, i hated my job was the change in career worth it? yes, nursing fits my personality
6. are you higher up the career ladder in nursing or were you higher with career #1? i don't care about the career ladder
7. i don't want to start a discussion on nursing pay again, but are you happier with your nursing paycheck or was it better before? i'm happy with my pay but i have no benefits
8. how has your benefits been affected by your change in career, better or worse? or not much change? i currently have no benefits
9. what did your family think about your career change? i don't care what they think. i'm single and my kids are grown. its finally time for me!
3rdcareerRN
163 Posts
I have very similar responses to this other poster, except #8 (I have much worse benefits/security as a nurse, a worse work schedule, less than half the pay as my prior two careers, but am usually satisfied or even happy daily now.)