First of all, I'm so glad I discovered this forum. Everyone is so helpful! Thanks to all for bearing with my questions as I figure out whether or not the road to a nursing career is one that I truly want to go take.
In the last thread I started, I listed the reasons why I am interested in nursing as a second career. Let me add that I initially looked into being a dietitian/nutritionist. I love reading books on nutrition and also love the idea of helping people better their bodies through diet and exercise.
It seems that I need to have a Master's degree to get a good-paying job in the field, though -- a discouraging thought for someone who can only work part-time (let's not forget that I am already 37). It also appeared that jobs are limited in that field as well. I also considered becoming a personal trainer, but to be honest, the pay was a deterrent for me. So, I scratched both ideas. Just to clarify: pay is important to me because I'm a single Mom with a mortgage to pay.
Anyway, after I mentioned all of this to a nurse friend, she suggested I look into nursing. I don't want to do it just for the money (pay is pretty good if you can get a job here). If salary and school were no object for me, I'd pursue the dietitian/nutritionist career.
I can honestly say though, that I have a passion for helping others. I would consider myself to be a "fixer". Even when it's just advice to friends, I am always glad to listen and try to offer any advice I can. I always have a genuine desire to make them feel better. Also, in a moment of crisis, I am never one to stand by and just watch. I am a take-charge kind of person. I immediately assess the situation and try to find a way to solve the problem. I also LOVE working in a fast-paced environment.
With nursing, I like the idea of being able to "fix" someone. I like the idea of a pt. being diagnosed and "fixed" -- hopefully resulting in them leaving the hospital in better shape than when they entered. Of course, that's not always the case, but this is why I'm wondering if I might be suited for ER nursing.
It seems like there are a lot of reasons why I might be suited for nursing yet, there are other careers I'd choose if I could. I'm just worried that I'm doing this for the wrong reason -- even worrying that I might just be trying to convince myself that it is a good career for me??? On paper, it seems like a good idea and I am genuinely excited about some of the experiences I can have as a nurse. But, it bugs me that my answer would not be "nursing" if someone were to ask me "what would you do if money were no object" question. I'm not sure if it's because I'm still digesting the idea of me going into nursing ???
So, I was curious as to whether or not most of you have a passion for what you do and if you'd still choose nursing if money (pay) were no object ???
Let me clarify... I hold a bachelor's and a Master's in other fields, and worked in the corporate field for a while. It's not all it's cracked up to be, definitely not my cup of tea. There is stress everywhere, in every field. I find it much more rewarding to make a small difference in people's lives -- tangible differences. You definitely do not see that working in a big company in the corporate world. I find more autonomy in nursing as well.
Let me also add, that I *do* work part time. I think that makes a huge difference. I took a huge pay cut to work in nursing but my husband and I don't need my salary to live on, it mostly gets socked into savings. While it's a good paying field, there are plenty more fields where you can make more money.
Pay is an issue. I have to be compensated for what I do and am responsible for, and since I have graduated I have never felt like it's enough. I'd rather do something I like for less pay but I feel like I have to use my degree to make a living.
I applied to nursing school not knowing what the going rate was. Turns out, I'll be making less as a nurse than I did in my previous profession. Doesn't phase me one bit -- nursing seems like it will be a rewarding career. I only have 9 weeks of practicum to speak for, though.
My story is very different from yours, but you still should consider nursing. With your interest in nutrition, you have options open to you to combine that with nursing. You could specialize (once you've graduated) in diabetic nursing. The nutritionist isn't the only one doing dietary teaching. Bariatric care is a growing speciality that I imagine could use someone with a strong nutrition background. Even cardiac nursing involves a lot of dietary teaching.
Thanks for those suggestions! I'll definitely research those specialties!!!
Why do you seem to think that nurses get brilliant pay? They don't. Nurses are overworked and underpaid for what they do.
The RN's I know make anywhere from $31 - $47/hr. I know, as with any job, there are variables that come into play such as job specialty, years of experience, facility and shift differentials. I'm not looking to be rich but I'd like to be comfortable. I think the low end of $31/hr is pretty good compared to a lot of other jobs. I've been a mortgage loan officer for 9 years now, so I've seen a LOT of paychecks and I know what is "good" in this area and what is not.
Some people may think that nurses are underpaid for what they do. The way *I* look at it from the POV of someone looking into going into this field after 20 years of working in other jobs is : "Is $31/hr worth me doing the things that are expected of an RN ???" The answer to me is "YES", while it may be "NO" to others.
There are people walking around right now who are here because I was their nurse, and spotted something that saved their life. I've held the dying, and tried to make their passing easier. I've held a crack baby, and maybe for only those few minutes in its life, that baby knew someone cared about it. So my sister can keep her deskjob. I'd had it, wouldn't want to go back, because now I know what kind of a difference I can make in a human life. I'll pinch my pennies, and do without all the "fluff" I used to think was critical, put up with the obnoxious, hateful patients for the sake of that handful that I can actually help. My sister's like them, in that respect -- part of the price I pay to change what I can. I've had the day where I could actually say, "What did I do at work today? I saved a life, kept a family from having an empty seat at Thanksgiving Dinner."
And that's sweeter than any paycheck.
I LOVE your post!!! :bowingpur:bow: Those are the thoughts that make me so EXCITED about a career in nursing. I honestly want to just CRY sometimes, when I think about making a difference in someone's life. I look forward to those moments. And, yes -- I am realistic enough to know that I will also have patients that will drive me crazy!!! But, knowing that I could possibly help to save a life ... and never see that patient again and hear them say "thank you", but just KNOWING what I did ... THAT would give me such a feeling of accomplishment -- much more than me being one of the top loan officers in production at work!!! It's just not the same for me.
Pay is an issue. I have to be compensated for what I do and am responsible for, and since I have graduated I have never felt like it's enough. I'd rather do something I like for less pay but I feel like I have to use my degree to make a living.
I agree with what you said about being compensated appropriately, but what I was trying to find out with my post is whether or not people would stay in nursing because they LOVE it.
If money weren't an issue, I would've pursued architecture or medicine. :-) But nursing has its rewards. The fulfillment that you get from seeing your patients feel so much better is worth it. :-) Although not all the time, sometimes, you are just cranky. LOL
The RN's I know make anywhere from $31 - $47/hr. I know, as with any job, there are variables that come into play such as job specialty, years of experience, facility and shift differentials. I'm not looking to be rich but I'd like to be comfortable. I think the low end of $31/hr is pretty good compared to a lot of other jobs. I've been a mortgage loan officer for 9 years now, so I've seen a LOT of paychecks and I know what is "good" in this area and what is not.
Not sure where you are located but nationwide its more like $18-50/hr, with 50 being hard to come by. Most people can expect somewhere around 45-60k to start depending on location. There are a lot of threads on salary here.
I agree with what you said about being compensated appropriately, but what I was trying to find out with my post is whether or not people would stay in nursing because they LOVE it.
One of the largest reasons people don't want to stay in the nursing field isn't nursing itself, its the poor working conditions which are present in many hospitals and nursing homes. Look up threads on the nursing 'shortage' and you will see the shortage isn't because of lack of people wanting to be nurses, its because of poor working conditions. (Of course the current recession affects things too.) When you are set up with an overwhelming amount of patients (due to purposeful short staffing) who are very sick, with little resources, the risks include being sued, sustaining an injury to yourself, losing your license, or even losing a life. Most of us love the impact we are able to have, and enjoy the job itself, and fiercely protect our patients, but better conditions are sorely, sorely needed in many hospitals.
On the question of if pay wasn't an issue, I would think most people, if they won the lottery, would spend more time with family, relax more, and do things that cost a lot of money and time that is not realistic if you are working full time supporting a family, such as getting that PhD. That doesn't necessarily mean they don't enjoy many aspects of nursing.
I don't want to come off as all negative, but the realistic fact is most of us love being nurses but simply can't be the nurses we need to be due to conditions. Thankfully this profession is diverse, and working conditions outside of hospitals and nursing homes seem to be much better. We will welcome you into this profession with open arms, but if you want to be a nurse, please be one who is proactive for better, safer conditions for the nurse and patient. This is one of the best ways to truly advocate for the patient. Poster lindarn has a lot of well-informed posts about current nursing issues and advocacy. I'd recommend reading through some of them.
:bowingpur:bow: Those are the thoughts that make me so EXCITED about a career in nursing. 
I honestly want to just CRY sometimes, when I think about making a difference in someone's life. I look forward to those moments. And, yes -- I am realistic enough to know that I will also have patients that will drive me crazy!!! But, knowing that I could possibly help to save a life ... and never see that patient again and hear them say "thank you", but just KNOWING what I did ... THAT would give me such a feeling of accomplishment -- much more than me being one of the top loan officers in production at work!!! It's just not the same for me. 
Piki
154 Posts
Most days, yes, yes I would....
Let me clarify... I hold a bachelor's and a Master's in other fields, and worked in the corporate field for a while. It's not all it's cracked up to be, definitely not my cup of tea. There is stress everywhere, in every field. I find it much more rewarding to make a small difference in people's lives -- tangible differences. You definitely do not see that working in a big company in the corporate world. I find more autonomy in nursing as well.
Let me also add, that I *do* work part time. I think that makes a huge difference. I took a huge pay cut to work in nursing but my husband and I don't need my salary to live on, it mostly gets socked into savings. While it's a good paying field, there are plenty more fields where you can make more money.