I am trying to get out of nursing. My parents will feel terrible if I do.

[NursingBro]

Long story short. I have been a self taught web designer and computer programmer for many years. I am making just as much as I am right now as a Nurse. I am still doing both jobs at the same time and I feel like nursing is just taking too much of my life away.

When I am at work I feel like a slave. My schedule when I work:

1. Wake up at 5:30 a.m go to work.

2. Home by 7:30. Too mentally and physically tired to do anything. 12 hours of stress and suffering.

3. Sleep at 10 and repeat the cycle the next day.

What I am trying to do is make as much money as possible with my web design business. I also have a big business plan that I am working on. I do not want to say what is it. I believe it will be very profitable.

My question is. Do I wait for this new online business to start bringing in additional revenue before I quit nursing?

Also my dads main concern about staying with nursing is the insurance (medicare and retirement etc..). I really want to get out of nursing so badly. Is there any other insurance plan and retirement plan I can get myself?

I feel like getting into nursing was the worst mistake I ever did in my entire life. I feel like a very stressed slave. Help me please.

[MedChica]

Keep the license. Always have a backup.

You never know what could happen.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Only you can decide when the time is right! I understand your frustration with the stress in nursing and the sometimes impossible expectations and the frantic pace of bedside nursing, but realize you will be giving up benefits you took for granted health insurance, retirement benefits and sick/disability benefits. Plus you must realize you are double taxed having to pay the employers share of certain taxes like social security. I would caution you to have a large savings cushion to fall back on because income with self-employment ebbs and flows and you will need a stash to get you thru the slow times. It is harder to get loans esp mortgage if you have an uncertain income vs the regularity and stability of a regular job. I've read you can save more in retirement such as a Keogh IRA if you have your own business. I would hold off till the state exchanges come thru and you know how much more you'll have to pay for health insurance. I would expect it would be hundreds a month and several thousand a year. But in the end its up to you when you take the leap. Just don't burn any bridges in case you need to go back to nursing during a dry spell. If you can forgo the insurance perhaps you can cut back to part-time or check out if there are any agency opportunities in your area. I applaud you in pursuing your dream and starting your own business, that is probably the best way to go to maximizing your income potential and overall economic security in this day and age!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Always keep up on your license. You worked hard to acheive it, so don't lose it. First year of nursing is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. However, once you have that first year under your belt, then perhaps there will be another option for an alternate nursing practice. Home health, hospice, an MD's office are a few areas where you may find your niche. Also another interesting thought--some assisted living, elder services, LTC like to have licensed nurses who also participate with the residents in activities. Perhaps teach computer skills to seniors? Even rehabs have activity programs. Or to even teach a CNA course, or through a local community school a health "adult ed" online course. Also the VA, although not easy to get into, will give you amazing benefits.

As far as your parents and your plans: I understand that at any age, parents have a variety of concerns regarding their children, even adult children. In some cultures, unmarried women are the responsibility of parents until such time as a husband takes over that duty. I get that. So, in that vein, your parents are concerned about your future with "no one to 'take care' of you". It is difficult to let parent's know you have a plan and can take care of you.

What I would do is sit down and have a heart to heart. Present a business plan, and a timeline, and a budget. There are federal and state agencies that are set up to assist those who are small business owners. Look them up, and see what they provide you with. Perhaps your parents want to be more involved. If you are the creative mind, then perhaps they can be the "business" end of the deal. You open an account in the name of your business, and you take a certain stipend a week, and they can "oversee" your finances. (and depending on your relationship with them--always have "most" of the control, just be sure that they can see that you are running a viable business)

Unfortunate but true, that most places of employment no longer have an automatic pension situation after so many years of employment. Most require IRA's. And some allow them to "follow" you. I would see what the rules are. And small businesses have a lot of health insurance options that in the past were not available.

Good luck, and if nothing else, I would at least keep up per diem somewhere so that you are always having a "plan B".

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

What is the least stressful nursing job even if it pays the lowest possible that an LPN can be paid? I would prefer to be less stressed and get paid less.

I would think it would be home care, hospice or a doctors office or clinic.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I would think it would be home care, hospice or a doctors office or clinic.

Those areas can be just as stressful...home care requires one to be able to make prudent decisions if the pt gets acute,family dynamics, being the only clinician; hospice deals with family dynamics, which can be very difficult if the pt wishes and plans are different than the family members wishes, Drs offices and clinics you deal with rotating docs with limited shared space at times, getting approvals for procedures, unexpected and emergency visits in addition to booked schedules where you are constantly running some days.

My point is...most jobs are stressful...it is up to the person on their expectations in handling stress, and how to cope with stress.

[DadStudentPerhaps]

Have you considered a part time RN position? At least until you are confident in your new business plan.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Have you considered a part time RN position? At least until you are confident in your new business plan.

The nurse who originally posted his personal dilemma is an LVN.

[whealer]

Wow... sounds like me but backwards. Before getting back into school, I had my own business and also did web design.

I hated it.

Nothing wrong with being an entrepreneur - in fact I hope to establish my own private practice and clinic in the future - but, you have to eat, sleep, and breathe your business. As other posters mentioned before, it comes with its own set of stressors.

Everyone had some great suggestions about making the transition into self-employment. But I also wonder what kind of support system you have in place, regardless of which career option you take. Are you talking with anyone now about your stresses, such as a mentor? You say that you'll go back into nursing if the new business doesn't take place; but what will happen if it takes you longer than you expected? Not only will you be stuck on a career path that you didn't seem to like to begin with, but you'll also have the extra task of breathing life into your business. I've been there and it made me want to pull my hair out.

If you really want to forge ahead with this business, do as others say and save as much as you can to survive. Look into insurance options and continue to work as a web designer so you have some money coming in while you build your bursiness. Hook up with a business consultant or business partner, take courses and network, network, network! Someone told me that you can't always have it both ways, building a business takes 110% commitment and sacrifice. In other words, you're either invested in the business's success or you're not an entrepreneur.

If you do see nursing as your saving grace in case the business needs some extra love, consider other nursing opportunities that provide you with less stress and more opportunities to de-stress when you need to. Consider looking at nurse entrepreneurs as mentors; I don't know if your business will be in medicine but perhaps they can provide you with insight as to what you need to do.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Not having enough money to pay the bills is stressfull too.

A week of nursing (similar to the week I just had) VS a month of not enough money and too many bills. As far as the stress-o-meter goes, I'll take the nurse week hands down.

If you're able to pick a job you love and survive financially, without mom and dad, pick what you love. If you have no one who depends on your paycheck but you, pick what you love.

While you're single and responsible to no one but yourself, pick what you love.

If you think your parents will be upset when you give up nursing, just try giving it up when you have a SO, or spouse.

[cianni2000]

What is the least stressful nursing job even if it pays the lowest possible that an LPN can be paid? I would prefer to be less stressed and get paid less.

Try drug and alcohol(methadone treatment facilities). I have worked in drug and alcohol for almost five years and haven't been back on a hospital floor or nursing home yet. The pay is a few dollars less than hospitals and nursing homes but worth it. It's a lot less stressful physically and mentally than most nursing jobs. There are drug and alcohol clinics all over the country so do some research in your area and try it out if it interest you. Good luck.

[tryingtopass]

I do agree also. You need to find something you enjoy! Best of luck!

[jyoppiniRN]

Do whatever makes you happy

Happiness is crucial to leading a fantastic life