2nd career nurses, are they happier?

luvmyboys · Dec 12, 2007

I just graduated from nursing school in August at the age of 38 after working in Human Resources for more than 10 years. I can't really say whether I am happier than other nurses although I do notice some burn out on my new unit. I think I recognize it because I know what it felt like to be burnt out with what I was doing. For me everything is a new and challenging learning experience. What I do know is that I am happier than I was in my old career so that is what is important to me. Good Luck to you!

~Julie

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2007

I'm a second career nurse. I graduated from my BSN program at 32. That was 20 years ago. Of my accelerated class, I am the only one still left in nursing.

I am still thrilled I took the risk and made that choice. In my prior career, I was hamstrung by low job availability and residency requirements. Nursing has allowed me a staggering amount of freedom to work whenever/wherever. I've never allowed myself to forget how bleak my opportunities were before getting my license (and I had 2 prior degrees).

I would say this.....I always had a two tiered plan for my nursing career. I did my hospital years and I loved them. Now I'm a community health nurse and can take this job right through to retirement. No way could I have withstood the rigors of hospital nursing for an entire career. Have a plan B.

My classmates got lost to nursing at a series of junctions in life. A whole bunch graduated, had kids and just never practiced professionally. A few married up and stopped working when they no longer needed to financially. 2 Sell real estate and 2 are financial planners. 1 sells yachts. The rest retired.

deleern · Dec 12, 2007

I am much happier, But you must know your self, I by passed working in a hospital setting. and am working LTC. I like that pace much better. sometimes it is not all about the money, and it is more about satisfaction... I do plan on continuing my education. my goal is to teach at the local community college.

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 12, 2007

I guess it might depend on just how bad the former job was and what your expectations for your new one.

nurz2be · Dec 12, 2007

I am 35 and will be entering nursing school as a second career soon.
I was wondering how many nurses out there that chose nursing as a second career, are happy in their jobs. Does anyone wish they hadn't gone into nursing?
So many nurses talk about being miserable and burnt out, but I was wondering if it is different if you started nursing later in life.
Thanks.

Check out this post I started, it has a life of its own and it might give you a really good idea about just HOW MANY people chose nursing after 5-10 other jobs......

POST

ENJOY

gerry79 · Dec 12, 2007

I am happier as a nurse. I retired from the Coast Guard after 25 years and came into nursing knowing that it would not be easy all of the time, and had no romanticized view of it. To me work is work. What I do enjoy is the flexibility and the money that I now earn. In the military I worked 6 days a week, and more than 12 hours a day for many years and was not compensated monetarily, but in my second career (nursing) if I choose to work overtime I will be paid handsomely. Will I stay at the bedside for another 25 years, I cant say, but I am back in school (for my BSN) in order to create more options should my body not hold up to the rigors of the bedside.

x_coastie · Dec 12, 2007

I can't answer your original question, but I think nurses that had prior careers understand the incredible benefits that nursing can offer. I have had many crappy jobs and busted my butt in very dangerous conditions for $10-12 bucks an hour and busted my body and ruined my hearing. I am looking forward to becoming a nurse, and if one nursing position is miserable I will try a different one.

Congrads on going in to nursing, I am 34 and in my first year. There are many students 10-15 years older than me in my class.

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2007

I am 35 and will be entering nursing school as a second career soon.
I was wondering how many nurses out there that chose nursing as a second career, are happy in their jobs. Does anyone wish they hadn't gone into nursing?
So many nurses talk about being miserable and burnt out, but I was wondering if it is different if you started nursing later in life.
Thanks.

"Happier" is a very subjective description. I do think that second career nurses (or any other second career) go into the field excited, but perhaps not as naieve to what is expected of us. Having worked in a different field, I learned that things are basically the same everywhere with regards to interpersonal relationships - things at the bank where I used to work were just as "eat the young" as my first hospital job. So I didn't experience the bumps in the road that some of my younger counterparts are experiencing. Right now, I am precepting a new grad in her early 20's, and she's doing well - just having a rough time adjusting to the new demands placed on her. I think that would be the same if she was a first year law associate or a brand new accountant heading into tax season.

Good luck and if its the right thing, then you will certainly be "happier" than you were in your former profession.

Blee

pageygirl · Dec 12, 2007

I am a second career nurse. I had started and stopped school several times in my 20's and did not have to fortitude or maturity to finish. After 911 I decided to have another baby and go to nursing school. which I took a semester off after the baby was born and then dived in. During that time my mother was dying of cancer and god knows how but I managed to finish school. I was 41 when I graduated so I think if I was younger I would not have had the strength to get thru. I think if that is what you want go for it. Nursing can be the most rewarding job and other times the most godawful... But I feel proud that I am a nurse and those times that you touch someone or catch something that saves someones life... Well that makes it worth it :)

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2007

I am a second career nurse...do I love it? Most days. Do I hate it? Some days. Worked in a high powered middle management position and was downsized. Back then I made money, but I also spent hard days, and sleepless nights worrying about tomorrow, next week, next month, etc. Now, I appreciate being able to leave my job behind, and leave for the day. Working 3 days or more(if I choose) is a blessing. I am in my early 40's, nursing was a good change for me.

Truthfully, the burnt out nurses I meet have only had a working career as a nurse. They were never anything else! I believe that may be the reason some are dissatisfied with their career choice. Customer service, no matter where it is practiced wears you down. The general public has high expectations, especially in healthcare where every butt should be pampered, petted, powdered, swathed and kissed! (according to management) Seriously, if you've never done anything else you always think you have it bad. Sometimes you just don't know when you have it good!

Maisy;)

Satori77, ADN · Dec 13, 2007

I think it depends on many factors. First, why you are entering nursing and what your expectations are. Also what field you go into (not specifically, but something that is the right fit that you will enjoy, it is different for everyone).

For me, I think I will be. If I had gone to nursing school right away and not led the life I did up until this point, it would have been a bad choice. I probably would not have appreciated the opportunities nursing provides, I wouldn't have been mature enough to handle the emotional aspects, I was very shy and let people walk all over me....I would have failed, I know it. Now I am much more mature, responsible, tough and just experienced in life. My mother has been a nurse for 20 years and I have seen the up's and downs she has gone through. I have friends who are nurses too. I have researched it a lot. I am very excited to be entering this wonderful field...and I am doing it with my eyes wide open.