How did your spouse handle the news of a career change?

SusanKathleen, RN · Dec 20, 2007

OOh. Not so good. At first. But he warmed up in time. He doesn't like change. He doesn't understand why I want to pursue other things. It's making him nervous, but he can see that I want this, and he is being supportive. Be patient. she'll come around if it is right for you.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 20, 2007

Nursing at its roots is a form of ministry. I would emphasize that aspect. You are just going into a different type of ministry....Best of luck!

Dad-2-3 · Dec 20, 2007

I was wondering what the reaction of your spouse was when you told her/him that you wanted to change your career.

I think she said "It's about time!!!!" :trout:

Just kidding. LOL

My wife was very supportive. I was making decent money at my previous job as a foreman of a construction company, but she knew I was not happy. When I broached the subject of a career in nursing she said go for it.

insa · Dec 21, 2007

Does your wife already know you're not going into the ministry? It's hard to tell from your post exactly how much she knows about your plans, and my only observation there is, the more she feels as if this is a decision-making process that you're sharing with her, the more likely she is to be happy with and supportive of your decision.

My wife has taken it pretty well. She knows I didn't like life in the corporate world, and I liked work in a boutique consulting firm even less. Plus she's a foreign-service officer: if she stays in the service, her job is going to take us all over the world, so it's in her interest for me to have a fulfilling profession that I can take with me. If she doesn't, she will surely appreciate the fact that nurses can get hired very quickly in most locations stateside.

GilbertDaddy · Dec 21, 2007

For all the men out there(and you ladies can answer too), I was wondering what the reaction of your spouse was when you told her/him that you wanted to change your career.
To make a long story a short one, I'm 25 and my wife and I have been married about 2.5 years. I was going into the ministry but do not find it fulfilling enough. I feel that I should do more and help others more(there are other reasons too). I have had great work experiences in hospitals as a transportation aide, care provider, and chaplain. I am going to tell my wife after Christmas that I would like to change where I'm heading in life. I'm wondering what her reaction will be. How did your spouse take the news?

I first became interested in nursing after the burnout from IT set in. I mentioned it to my fiancee and she didn't blink. We couldn't afford it of course and she needed me there, so those complications held me back.

I'm a single dad now and pursuing it and she still supports it. When we had our kids, she understood how little the doctors had to do with her entire care. Docs were always in and out, but it was the nurses we spent the rest of the days and nights with.

I was surprised though, I had already studied all the reasons to defend my stance lol.

socalpca · Dec 23, 2007

My wife was pretty excited. I had never earned more than $20K in a year, so she was stoked on the prospect of more money coming in. She also liked the idea of having a medical professional in the house.

OregonBSN · Dec 24, 2007

I was having a really bad month at work, and in my rant I told my wife I should go back to school and become a Nurse. She giggled at first, but then when she saw I was serious, she said look into it and see what you need to do. She said it will be tough so be prepared. My wife has been so supportive since I've been taking my pre requisites and applying to schools. I couldn't have done it without her. (She's also a NICU nurse and inspiration!)

Just2EZ05 · Dec 26, 2007

im single but hell they better be happy my future wife will have more of my money to spend..

zaggar · Dec 28, 2007

My wife was conflicted. On one hand she has great faith in my ability to get things done when I set my mind to it. On the other hand she thought I had really lost my mind on this one.

She's excited about it now though.

2bmalenurse007 · Dec 30, 2007

My wife was ok with the idea of me becoming a nurse. It was just other people who gave me a funny look , when I told them that i wanted to become a nurse. Because , I am currently a diesel mechanic. lol

MBANurse · Dec 30, 2007

My wife constantly asks when I am going to get my RN even though now I have an MBA... She was shocked when I did a Business program instead of Nursing when I started college...