Leave Good Job for Nursing?

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2009

If it is something that you really want to do, take that leap and do it. Sure your job is good, right now. It is not guaranteed that you will have a good job forever. What will happen if you somehow lose this job. Could you easily get another job at another hospital with the same money/hours?

Nursing is a hard job at times, but it is a good career to have in these tough economic times. Even though hospitals are cutting back right now, they will never cut back so far that nurses won't have a job.

But, in the end, you will have to follow your heart.

Jewelsy · Mar 8, 2009

I have always wanted to be a nurse also. I am 49 years old. I would say gor for it, especially since you have been excepted. If your heart is in it, I'm sure you will love it!

lpn2icu · Mar 8, 2009

Hi everyone!
I have wanted to be a nurse for a long while. I am a successful admin. asst to the president of a large hospital right now. After 3 years of doing my pre-reqs for nursing, it has finally come time to "**** or get off the pot!" LOL. Until now, I could just go school & keep my good job. Because I just got my acceptance letter to the nursing program this fall. The problem is that in this economy, I have a very good stable, good paying job & I would have to leave it as it is Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm - for the nursing program this fall. I would apply at my hospital for a part-time nurse's aid job instead. I am having a hard time deciding what to do. I just have a feeling that nursing would be a very good fit for me. I am not young so I think it's now or never. What does everyone think? My fear is waking up years from now & regretting not going for it. Thanks !

This is America! You can be whatever you wanna to be!

The average age for RN is about 47 years old! If you are younger than that, then you are not old! I can understand the current economic condition which might force you to think twice before doing anything else! But I think it is important to follow your heart/dream before it is too late!

Good luck!:typing

PAERRN20 · Mar 9, 2009

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm seems like dream hours to me. Nursing is 24/7/365. Many people look for the hours you already have.

Hope2Be · Mar 9, 2009

I am so happy I found this thread..I am in the SAME situation!! I have worked so hard for the last 3 years, I am 36 yrs old, single mom w/ a mortgage..and have been accepted into the nursing program March 30th. right now I have a good job, insurance benefits, 8-4 hours, and am frightened at the thought of leaving it all behind for nursing..so many unemployed people wishing to have my job, and here i go deciding to just quit..I have wanted to be nurse forever so many people also wanting to have this opportunity to get in the program, and now here i am, getting what I've wished for and so unsure about it....I'm so confused and scared! I have to give my job notice this friday March 13th,,I know i have to just do it and I will!! I hope I'm making the right choice.

oramar · Mar 9, 2009

I am worried for people in this situation. No one has anyway of knowing what the employment situation will be when you finish school. It could be better or it could be worse. Are you reading what I am reading all those panic stricken post from new grads that can't get jobs? Best of luck to you what ever you decide to do.

lpn2icu · Mar 9, 2009

I am worried for people in this situation. No one has anyway of knowing what the employment situation will be when you finish school. It could be better or it could be worse. Are you reading what I am reading all those panic stricken post from new grads that can't get jobs? Best of luck to you what ever you decide to do.

The current situation is caused by economy which has gone bad since last year! Do you think the economy will be improved or it will stay the same is really the question we all nurses or nurses-wanna-be must ask! If you think the economy will not be improved for the next a few years, it might be scary to give up your jobs and go to schools for the subject/majors you have been dreaming about!

In the short run, I am sure the U.S. economy will be improved!

shoegalRN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

I was in the same boat you were in two years ago.

I left a very WELL paying job I had been at for 14 years. I was offered a buyout to leave the company. I jumped on the chance.

I am a single mother of a 12 year old, have a mortgage, bills, etc. It was either now or never.

Luckily, I planned well enough financially to have money to cover me the entire time I was in nursing school. The money will run out in May, but I graduate May 16 and I start working as a Grad Nurse May 18th.

I wouldnt change a thing. I have no regrets, I have accomplished my goal. It was VERY hard, but I dont want to live my life with coulda, shoulda, woulda.

Good luck in your decision!

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

I would never leave a good secure job with good hours and bennies to go into nursing! Nursing is a very, very tough career, and many nurses are ambivalent about nursing. I know you are going to do whatever you want to do- but nursing is a very difficult, demanding career, and is very unsure in our current economy.

Read the "first year in nursing" forum before you make your decision!

Woodchip · Mar 9, 2009

I am glad to see this thread too. I am also in the same boat...great hours, great pay, benefits...but really cannot stand the job! For the current nurses out there that think the grass is greener in the corporate world...I can tell you that is not necessarily so. I usually never work a 40 hour work week. It's more like, 50 hours or so. My brain has turned to mush and I am not challenged at all.

The things that appeal to me about nursing are the hours...3 twelve hour shifts sounds great, not having to constantly update my work wardrobe, LEARNING and ultimately...helping people....and having a purpose.

The one thing that worries me is there seems to be little support for nurses when they start out. I have a very low threshold for rude/mean people and it scares me to think of not having a helpful preceptor.

So...what's my alternative? Stay in a job that I can't stand or take a chance and potentially get into the field of nursing and maybe find the job of my dreams? :) :yeah:

mntgrl · Mar 9, 2009

Hi,

I too was in a higher paying job, good benefits, head of the household, but it was not a career that I chose. I just fell into it. I am a mature student, I will be 51 when I take the boards. I have always known in my heart nursing was for me. I just never did anything about it. I started my pre reqs a couple of years ago and nursing school last year. I am in my second semester. It was scary for me too. I had many questions and doubts. What if I can't make it through the classes? Am I too old? Then I made a list...one side had the advantages of nursing, the other had the advantages of staying in my old job. For me, the nursing side won at every point. Flexability, advancement, educational options, and opportunities.

I was still working full time when I started school. Then with the economy and the company cutting back, those left were taking on more and more responsibilites. That meant more hours without more pay because we were salary. It was crazy. I could not work the extra hours or the weekends due to school and was laid off. I hate to say this but, I feel lucky that I was laid off. It gave me a chance to concetrate on school. I am looking into getting a part time job in the hospital as an assistant. To me, this is like a new part of my life. My husband is very supportive. I am so happy with my decision. Only 4.5 semesters to go. I will be done school in about 17 months.

Good luck to all of you with whatever you decide.