My reality of becoming an RN

[BettyBoop01]

Well there you have it, becoming an RN was officially the biggest mistake I have made thus far in my life. I am throwing in the towel and going back to my former career if they will have me. I had a good paying job, plenty in my retirement savings, my own home and a decent car. I saved up to pay for nursing school, saved enough to cover my mortgage and bills and a decent emergency fund. What I didn't plan for was the economy to tank and the nursing industry in my area to shun new graduates.

Throughout school I worked as a CNA, got my hospital experience and upon graduation there were no jobs to be had in my area. I flew to interviews in several parts of the country and got 2 job offers, that was a huge expense. I could have kept on working as a CNA, but well, most of my classmates over a year later still are doing just that. Less than 50% have gotten jobs working as an RN. I took a job out of state thinking it would just be for a year or so. Again the move was expensive. But here is my reality. I cannot sell my home, it is worth 70K less than I paid for it. I am not making much as an RN, and about half hourly I was making in my former career and it is not enough to cover rent here and my mortgage at home. I now have my magic year experience and now all the listings at home are asking for 2-5 years. The nursing homes are asking for 2+ years. Home health is asking for 2+ years. I have been filling out apps for months and regardless of my experience and references I get rejection notices. I have spent all my savings and am now at the point where I can drain my retirement account to keep afloat, or just go home. I can let my house forclose, but for what? To continue in an industry that uses you up and then throws you away? My hospital thinks of me as a number to fill a spot. They don't care that we work short every night and that we have 10 patients with no aids or secretary on nights to help out with call lights.

I miss my friends, I miss my family. I miss having a reliable car. I love my job, but well, all I have now is my job it has become my life. It is lonely and exhausting. I give up!!! Uncle!!! I get it I made a bad decision. It is going to take me years to get back to a place financially where I was 10 years ago.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

Tried that, it didnt work out. I ended up with renters (chosen with a "thorough screening" from the property management company I paid) who didnt pay and a lot of damage I ended up footing the bill for. It took 6 months of nonpayment to get them out. Now I have the option of suing them knowing they will never pay even if I win, while racking up more expenses flying back and forth to go to court. No thanks. They ruined the hardwood floors and several appliances.

I cannot sell, I don't have the 70K to make up the difference in the mortgage. Being a nurse isn't worth ruining my credit over with a forclosure or short sale. I feel like I really did everything in my power to make it work and it just was not meant to be. Oh and no pension. Most expensive crappy health insurance I have ever had, too.

I also feel I should mention that I love that house. It is my home. I don't care if its worth less, I want to live in it. It will break my heart to sell it. It just is not worth it to me. I have an interview in May for my old job. Wish me luck!

Really sorry for what you're going through ....hope you get your old job back. Good luck for the interview.

Just wondering - is it possible to get roommates and keep your house? Plus do agency or PRN weekends?

The economy will turn around.

Then you would be in a good position. Still in your own house where you can keep an eye on roommates. Your old job with health insurance. PRN nursing for higher salary. And lots more choice :redbeathe

[TickyRN]

You can do agency with one yr experience. check craigslist and just keep searching. You might even get a travel job at home paying double. good luck.

If i may ask, what did you do in your former career.

[WIN007]

Tried that, it didnt work out. I ended up with renters (chosen with a "thorough screening" from the property management company I paid) who didnt pay and a lot of damage I ended up footing the bill for. It took 6 months of nonpayment to get them out. Now I have the option of suing them knowing they will never pay even if I win, while racking up more expenses flying back and forth to go to court. No thanks. They ruined the hardwood floors and several appliances.

I cannot sell, I don't have the 70K to make up the difference in the mortgage. Being a nurse isn't worth ruining my credit over with a forclosure or short sale. I feel like I really did everything in my power to make it work and it just was not meant to be. Oh and no pension. Most expensive crappy health insurance I have ever had, too.

I also feel I should mention that I love that house. It is my home. I don't care if its worth less, I want to live in it. It will break my heart to sell it. It just is not worth it to me. I have an interview in May for my old job. Wish me luck!

I do wish you the very best. I am a second career nurse too and I left floor nursing voluntarily but for different reasons not the least of which was , yes, I earn more with a lot less aggrevation. However I still immensely miss it sometime. The rewards of seeing a patient recover or making a chronic patients life a little easier are the best rewards there are. For me. I just no longer wanted to deal with the rest of what came with being a fulltime floor nurse - PRN is plenty. However if I had started nursing at a younger age than I did I am certain I would have gone on to get a CRNA or an NP.

I don't believe things happen for a reason, but I do believe that sometimes things work out for the best. That said, if nursing is your passion surely you can find a way to make it work or at least do it PRN too. It's time to have an honest conversation with yourself about what you really want to do with your life and where your heart is. Only you can do that. There's an old saying , do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

Godspeed.

[rshenry]

I feel your pain! I am in the same boat. I am still working full time in my non-nursing profession. I try and work 1 day a week as an RN. But the reality is I make a lot more in my non-nursing job, and do way less work. Sad but true fact.

[MJB2010]

Wow, I am in a similar boat! I relocated for my first job and rented out my home as well which turned out to be a disaster. It is not a good idea to be an out of state landlord!! I will never rent out my home again. Fortunately I am hoping to move back in the next couple of months!

Did you get your old job back OP?

[nurse.sandi]

Well there you have it, becoming an RN was officially the biggest mistake I have made thus far in my life. I am throwing in the towel and going back to my former career if they will have me. I had a good paying job, plenty in my retirement savings, my own home and a decent car. I saved up to pay for nursing school, saved enough to cover my mortgage and bills and a decent emergency fund. What I didn't plan for was the economy to tank and the nursing industry in my area to shun new graduates.

Throughout school I worked as a CNA, got my hospital experience and upon graduation there were no jobs to be had in my area. I flew to interviews in several parts of the country and got 2 job offers, that was a huge expense. I could have kept on working as a CNA, but well, most of my classmates over a year later still are doing just that. Less than 50% have gotten jobs working as an RN. I took a job out of state thinking it would just be for a year or so. Again the move was expensive. But here is my reality. I cannot sell my home, it is worth 70K less than I paid for it. I am not making much as an RN, and about half hourly I was making in my former career and it is not enough to cover rent here and my mortgage at home. I now have my magic year experience and now all the listings at home are asking for 2-5 years. The nursing homes are asking for 2+ years. Home health is asking for 2+ years. I have been filling out apps for months and regardless of my experience and references I get rejection notices. I have spent all my savings and am now at the point where I can drain my retirement account to keep afloat, or just go home. I can let my house forclose, but for what? To continue in an industry that uses you up and then throws you away? My hospital thinks of me as a number to fill a spot. They don't care that we work short every night and that we have 10 patients with no aids or secretary on nights to help out with call lights.

I miss my friends, I miss my family. I miss having a reliable car. I love my job, but well, all I have now is my job it has become my life. It is lonely and exhausting. I give up!!! Uncle!!! I get it I made a bad decision. It is going to take me years to get back to a place financially where I was 10 years ago.

Wow. I am sorry for your bad time. However, I do understand. Good luck.