I'm going for it!

[newlife4me]

I recently celebrated my 35th B-Day. It should have been a joyful time spent with friends and family, instead it was a crushing reminder of how unsure I am about the direction of my life.

My good friend of 15yrs is a PA and has always tried to persuade me to go back to school to pursue a career in health care but I felt it just wasn't for me. Now, in my 35th yr of life, I'm an unemployed salesman that can't find work in this crummy economy. Its been over 6 months now and still no work. I have all but given up...

Last week I had to visit the ER for a knee injury. So, there I am sitting in the waiting room with no idea of how I'm going to pay for this hospital visit as I have no insurance. Depressed and in pain, I reflected on the conversations I shared with my good friend the PA. I'm not sure what triggered it, perhaps all the funny smells of an ER room or what, but right there and than I decided that I wanted to be a health care practitioner (RN) and do something positive with my life and not just sell people stuff. I made a very good living as a salesman but I hated every moment of it which is why I left..I know I know, why would anyone quit their job during these tough times? It just felt right. I'm 35yrs old and going back to school with hopes of becoming an RN in 4yrs, this should be interesting. Wish me luck!

[nursel56]

Wow- that's great! You're ahead of the game in 2 ways! First, you had a clear vision of what you want to do- second- funny smells attracted you rather than repelled you!!

There are lots of people who are riddled with doubts about nursing- and even more who worry endlessly about funny smells! "Will I have to see poop as a nurse? It's so gross!" etc

Most critics bring up the money issue- they just don't get it that someone would switch careers for anything other than that. There are nursing students here that were previously a chiropractor,a lawyer and an airline pilot. Obviously, they aren't in it for the money.

Nursing has also been hit hard by the tough economy- there are a lot of people frustrated out there now- but the long view is nursing is a still a worthwhile and rewarding career.

Soo fasten-your-seatbelt- the next 4 years will be a he1l of an interesting ride! Best wishes to you! Last thing. . I think this would be better posted in the General Nursing or the Student Nurse forum but that's up to the mods.

[Blackheartednurse]

Good for you..For some people it takes longer than others to find their "niche" I was in a very similar situation..I never was 100% sure what my passion was...when I was a little girl I wanted to be veterinarian and love for animals has stuck with me unit today..then I was leading toward teaching,journalism or creative writing ( I like writing stories and poems)...I went to college at 19,took general education classes and then at the age of 20 I started working in the law office...my grades started to suffer badly since I was at the office basically all day...It took me long time to get my associate in liberal arts and by then my best friend was inflatuated with the idea of nursing....She sort of bugged me to take microbiology with her and other science classes...Science sparked an interest in me and I was thinking more and more about becoming a nurse and at the age of 27 I enrolled into nursing program and today I'm 29 brand new RN who just accepted a positon on a tele floor at one of the biggest teaching hospital in the state...am I excited,most definitely..do I regret following nursing path..not yet LOL..Call me young,old or between but I know that at the age of 20 I wasnt ready for a chalenge that nursing job brings.

[newlife4me]

Thank you all for your support! I'm excited and nervous at the same time about my new direction in life. I understand its going to be an uphill battle just from reading all dreary threads about new grads in their 1st yr, but that hasn't discouraged me from moving forward. I love helping people, this could be my calling. Thanks again for your support. 35yrs old and going back to school, woohoo!!