Lawyer to Nurse?

Published Jun 8, 2018

1 Post

Just wondering if there are any lawyers out there who have made a switch from law to nursing and what your experience has been like. I am a few years out of law school. I went to a top 10 law school, spent a few years working in a "big law" firm, which I absolutely hated. I worked 60-70 hour weeks on average, was on call 24/7 and worked in a very stressful environment with extremely tedious work for many psychopaths. Those years were pretty much the most miserable and stressful years of my life. I later found a legal job I enjoy, but the pay is terrible.

I'm thinking of making the switch to nursing because I want a job that allows me to work 3 days a week (12 hours is fine per day), involves a decent amount of human interaction, requires less paperwork, and also pays decently. I'd also like to have kids soon (I'm in my 30s and married) so I need a career that allows reasonable working hours with decent pay and allows for geographic mobility. I really just want to enjoy my job rather than dread going to work.

For those who made the switch, was it worth it? How do you enjoy your job now? Any comparisons between the two professions?