Making the leap

syairuuuh · Jan 9, 2015

I am getting ready to make the leap!

Left a career in financial advising (first degree was in political science with a focus on international relations) and I am finishing up the prereqs for nursing school. I just turned in my application for fall 2015 - so hopefully I get in!

feeneishia · Jan 9, 2015

I'm 41, two kids 19 and 14. I have a BS in Business Management and MBA. I am following a dream I have. I was discouraged at first after looking at the classes I would have to take to get my BSN, so I decided to do the ADN and then do a RN to BSN bridge and eventually NP. I started last June with some classes and now getting ready to apply to different schools that start in the Fall. I had to really organize my study time and see how I learned the best. So I"m ready for this semester, I have A&P II, Psych 210 and another online orientation class. So I know it can be done. Just have to keep going.

tulipsweeti, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2015

How are you reconciling the decrease in salary to become a nurse? I feel like I see such varying rates of pay and I'm nervous about that. I live near Seattle and I have read anywhere from $20 - $33 / hour rates and that is a huge decrease in my current salary. I know I would be more personally fulfilled with nursing, but just wondering your thoughts if you too are decreasing your salary to pursue. Thanks!

Nurse2BeCam, ADN · Jan 10, 2015

I'm with you by taking the life changing leap into nursing as a second career. I've got 2 children. My oldest is almost 2 years old and my youngest is 2 months old. I really wanted to start this spring but i think I made the right choice by waiting until this summer because I'm so overwhelmed right now without adding tough prereqs into the mix. I just got out of the army from being a medic & I already know I love being in the medical field so I'm hoping that will give me a positive thought to hang on to when my head starts spinning from the work load. Good luck to you ladies!

syairuuuh · Jan 11, 2015

I took a HUGE pay cut in leaving my career.

I'm starting all the way at the bottom and making 8 bucks an hour as a CNA in GA versus the salary I made in Missouri was reallllly hard. We've drained our savings and used a student loan for the first semester. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship for my my last two years.

It was well worth it though. The fulfillment I feel makes it worth it. I was deeply unhappy in my job before and I realized that money wasn't everything - just had to learn to make sacrifices for a few years.

rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jan 11, 2015

Second career guy here as well. I spent over 20 years being a mechanic (engine control systems) and hated every minute. Nursing has been incredibly fulfilling. Would do it over again for sure, wish I did this 15-20 years ago. Graduated last May, working ever since.

PlayaChickRN · Jan 11, 2015

Second career for me too. 33, two kids (10 and 12), and starting my third semester of pre-reqs after 10 years of internet marketing. I'm applying for nursing school next week (ADN). The program does not require any healthcare experience, though CNA is required.

Balancing kids, school, budget, and life in general has not been as hard as I thought. I, too, am taking a big hit as I'm a full time student while attending college. My husband has a stable job with stable/flexible hours and he's also very supportive/helpful. I don't think it'd be possible without him and his belief in me. The kids are old enough to pitch in with chores and making dinner once in a while. I schedule EVERYTHING, even sleep and showers. Without a perfect plan starting off each week, I'd be lost. Admittedly I've also cut back to a non-existent social life and had to put most hobbies on the back burner. All of these sacrifices are temporary, of course, and in my eyes completely worth the trade off. :)

Good luck!

thatnurseBSN · Jan 12, 2015

the majority of females in my cohort had the support of their husbands (they didn't have to work), their family, (no babysitters), etc... all they did was attend school and some barely scraped by. i'm not bright, but my school had a minimum of a 3.6 GPA to enroll. it's not hard, but you need to devote TIME. i emphasize time.