Hope I am making the right decision.

[duke1010]

Let me give you brief history. I have always thought I would like being a nurse because of the fast pace and the fact that you actually do physical work (Not just type on a computer all day which I do now) I am constantly fretting that I will be typing on this computer until I finally pass away-depressing. I decided not to major in nursing when I was in college and went with the business route which I now think was a mistake.

I am also a bit of a job jumper (usually sales). Not bragging, but I have always been a great employee but tend to get bored of doing the same thing after a while.

After a decade of realizing that striking it rich in sales is just a fantasy and that I hate my job, I took the plunge and went back to school. I start nursing school next year. I hope I have made the right decision after investing so much time and money. I do like helping people and I like the thought of learning some things that I am actually interested in. I think it will be cool to know how to save someones life and to actually learn valuable skills.

1. As stated, I like to change jobs fairly often. Is it (like I hear) fairly easy to change careers in nursing?

2. How hard is it to move up the pay chain? What I mean is if I do nursing for several years and become good at it, what jobs may open up with higher pay? Are there any? I want to master nursing but then I see myself wanting to move on and learn something new. Is this possible or is it just a fantasy of mine?

3. I like the idea of becoming a flight nurse at some time. I will be in my late 30's when I get out of nursing school. Is it possible for me to become a flight nurse or is it too late?

4. Any other job jumpers become nurses? Was it a good decision for you?

5. Can any of you compare your previous jobs to your current nursing jobs? Do you think you made the right decision?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I spent more than a decade as a graphic designer/desktop publisher/corporate publications manager. I became an EMT-Basic in 2001, then went on to become a paramedic (NREMT-P) in 2003. In 2005, I couldn't take sitting behind a desk any longer, and I left my office job to work as a tech in an ER. I loved it! Went back to nursing school, became an RN in 2008, and I'm working in the same ER still.

Moving up the pay chain will depend on a few things -- for me, I've already managed to progress up our hospital's clinical ladder, which is how we get "promoted" and larger pay increases where I work (beyond the annual cost of living increase). Also, because we're a Magnet facility, management is encouraged to have a BSN, and current managers are being required to have their BSNs by a date in the future (they get a few years to get that done). Nursing with BSNs seem to have greater mobility as far as moving up the ladder into management positions.

I'm still a relatively new nurse, so I can't answer everything with a sureness. However, I'm a firm believer that it's never too late -- I didn't become an RN until I was 36. :) I don't regret my career change for a second. Every now and then, usually during a difficult shift in the ER, I do miss my comfy desk/office/etc., but that is a fleeting feeling -- that corporate job was sucking my soul out, and I knew it! I was 1000% percent happier after just a couple of months in the ER.

Good luck to you!! :)

[MauraRN]

I became an LPN in 2006 and an RN in July 2009, now working an acute rehab/med-surg unit in a nice community hospital associated with Mass General. I love it, although I want to go to the ED within a year or 2. I have a Bachelor's in Political Science and my Associates in Nursing, have gone right into a MSN program at Excelsior College, no reason to get ANOTHER Bachelor's. I was a corporate paralegal, then real estate broker for 20+ years, ran my own business for several years. Every once in awhile I feel a little impatient at the lack of business sense in Nursing, but mostly I love it. Lots of opportunites to learn if you are willing to search them out and are a life long learner. Late thirties is young!! I am going to be 53 soon and other than being tired at the end of a busy shift I feel fine. BTW, I always worked a second job as a bartender/waitress at least one night a week so that kept me in shape for the busy shifts at the hospital. Go for it!! You will enjoy making less money if you love what you are doing. I have had to make lifestyle changes r/t drop in income but it is ok because I don't dread going to work anymore.