Leaving current career for N-school

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I got in n-school back in feb and am am excited to start in Sept :yeah:. My employer is not flexible in scheduling so I will have to quit my job to go to school. Our nursing school doesnt offer part time or evenings. I was fine with quitting fulltime work when I got admitted, but as I get closer to start of school (and giving 2wk notice), all these fears are popping up. I'm walking away from job Ive been on for almost 10yrs and pays comfortable wage for part time wage during n-school that barely squeaks me by for next 2yrs. Plus, Ive gotten mixed opinions on nursing careers lately.

I know in my heart I want to be a nurse but walkin away from a job with with so much vested into a new career venture at 40 is scary. Can anyone give me their :twocents:. Thanks

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Why did you want to change your career to nursing? You start by staying that you are excited about starting school, so it sounds like this is something that is very important to you. Have you tried journaling about your fears and the choices you are trying to make? I've found that it often helps me figure out what is really going on in my head. Two years isn't really all that long to have to deal with "squeaking by." I'm 37, so I'll probably be your age by the time that I start nursing school. I get the same doubts from time to time, too. I have two other degrees, so I think everybody else thinks I've lost my mind. I'd say that you should go with your heart. Is this something that you would really regret if you didn't try for it? You only live once.

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Why did you want to change your career to nursing? You start by staying that you are excited about starting school, so it sounds like this is something that is very important to you. Have you tried journaling about your fears and the choices you are trying to make? I've found that it often helps me figure out what is really going on in my head. Two years isn't really all that long to have to deal with "squeaking by." I'm 37, so I'll probably be your age by the time that I start nursing school. I get the same doubts from time to time, too. I have two other degrees, so I think everybody else thinks I've lost my mind. I'd say that you should go with your heart. Is this something that you would really regret if you didn't try for it? You only live once.

Pen

This may sound like a cliche but I wanted to go into nursing to do more direct patient care and affect people on more compassionate, personal level . I have psych degree now and returning for accelerated BSN. I have wanted to do it for at least past 3yrs but talked myself outta applying with the very same fears I now am facing. I do journaling and it helps but sometimes it helps to talk it out too. Especially since friends and family members are saying Im crazy to leave my job now. :no: I dont think I'll regret it just afraid to take that final leap of faith and temporarily go back to ramen noodles, midterms & pb&j for awhile. Thanks for the input. :up:

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I too am chaging careers after 30 yrs...it is scary but I am looking at it as a new chapter in my life....something I have always wanted to do but was held back by one or two things....it is now or never for me....I'm 46, will be thru w/Respiratory Care at 48....then I plan to continue and get my Cardiovascular Tech license and then bridge over to Nursing...no stopping me now...I am actually enjoying school....my first time back since High School...I started in Jan w/one class, then took all accelerated clases thru the summer....was accepted to RT school...one of 30 out of 217 w/a 4.0....if I can do it, anyone can....I love ramen noodles fixed many different ways but am learning to like Hoppin John too.....lol....beanie weanies and whatever else is cheap...I do get to work pt for another 6mths though.

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HI Tink..... I'm like you... Leaving a well paying job to take on being a nursing (pre-nursing for now) student full-time so I can finally follow my heart/dream. I'm 38, and thinking.... do I really, really, want to be doing what I'm doing for the rest of my working life? And the resounding answer was 'no' - no matter how good the wages. I think you have to ask yourself... am I finally following my heart/dreams? And if the answer is yes... then GO FOR IT.... YES it will be hard, and sometimes probably awful... but how much more awful would it be to NOT?!

Best of luck!

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Yep, I remember those Ramen noodles! I think they come in more flavors now!

Seriously, I did the same thing that you are contemplating. I left my job in business and am currently living off of my 401k. I know that is a little scary for some people, but it's up to you. I start clinicals in January 2009, so this past July I took a CNA certification class and I am currently in the process of interviewing. I want to work in a hospital so that I will be eligible for tuition reimbursement and hopefully have a leg up on a job when I graduate. Also, my CC program is exactly 5 semesters long with the LPNs stopping at 3 semesters. So if I am really full of myself (LOL!), I may try to sit for the LPN exam, but I definitely going to go straight through the summer and get out in 5 semesters. I know everyone says 2 years, but I think that has to do with not going over the summers, and our school offers alot of the nursing classes over the summer semesters also.

I hope this helps. It is a big step, leaving a good paying job, but you really need to make a plan to get you through those 5 semesters! With your administrative background, maybe you can qualify for a Unit Secretary position, Admissions, or billing. I believe these are positions that also have evening and nighttime slots. My CC has started an evening and weekend clinical component that I am sure has helped alot of daytime workers keep their jobs. Maybe you should check to see if any nursing schools in your area have this component.

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Thanks for the booster shot, Rose. Great job on getting in RT school.:yeah:

Good luck!

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It does help.. alot! Thanks

And you'll be an LPN before you know it.

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Just starting to go back to school at the age of 41 here! It is helpful to know there are others out their freaking out. I fear the RAMEN NOODLE/Financial crunch ahead of me, also. Here we go........!

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Just starting to go back to school at the age of 41 here! It is helpful to know there are others out their freaking out. I fear the RAMEN NOODLE/Financial crunch ahead of me, also. Here we go........!

Definitely look into ANYTHING in a hospital so that you can take advantage of tuition reimbursement. Even if you start out in the kitchen, you can apply as a student nurse tech after 6 months of employment.

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I am 48 and 2 months short of completing an accellerated BSN program at Seton Hall. I worked in NYC in finance for 22 years before deciding to make a major career change. I honestly wanted to be a nurse my entire life and was too afraid to make a change (and too broke). It wasn't until I volunteered for the RedCross for Hurricane Katrina that I knew I could make a big difference in people's lifes. I also am living off of my 401K (not too smart for having a degreee in finance). However, it is the best decision that I have ever made in my life. The experiences that I had in the last year can not even come close to comparing what I did in 22 years of business. Good luck! It sounds like you have the heart to be an amazing nurse, and I am sure that you will shine. The expense will pay off in the long run. Please don't stay in a job that your heart isn't in like I did. You can't get those years back. :nurse:

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I also am chaging Careers at 46.....never thought I would enjoy school but I am loving it. It's a lot of hard work but doable. I am maintaining A's in my classes and still working very parttime. Continue on a journey that will make you happy and full fill you.

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