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So, a little background about myself: I am a 27yo male, I work in production for a pharmaceutical company in Irvine Ca. I have been at this company for going on 10 years. I enjoy what I do to an extent. Basically, I run a machine that produces IV's from saline to Heparin and am responsible for the overall quality and output of the units (33 bags/min). I work 12hrs/days 3-4 days a week and I adore my schedule and pay is decent (much more than I would be making as a CNA; I have an active license.) Being that I am pursing a career in nursing, and the fact that I have become so good at my job that it no longer keeps my attention ( im literally on this forum for 12hrs while at work) I am desperate to make a transition into direct patient care. I have 1 month experience as a CNA. But coupled with my full time job, learning a new job as a CNA, and taking pre-req's, I decided to quit the CNA gig as the stress of managing these three commitments was a little more than what I had anticipated. I did like the work, I felt free! Didn't mind the poo! I enjoyed talking to real people! I don't get much person to person interaction at my current job. Nonetheless, I am still struggling to leave my job simply due to the fact that Iv'e been there for so long and was recently promoted (same job more pay). I am often in regret over my decision to stay at this company for more pay seeing as how it is no longer fulfilling work for me, and I originally got my CNA cert. in order to accrue points for relative work experience which I could apply to the nursing program at my community college. My question is: Has anyone had similar struggles of transitioning from another profession into health care? How did you manage to make the transition? Would you leave your job with more seniority and benefits in order to pursue a career that you desired even if the pay was less?

Thanks in advance for any input

5 hours ago, Sumdaymurse said:

So, a little background about myself: I am a 27yo male, I work in production for a pharmaceutical company in Irvine Ca. I have been at this company for going on 10 years. I enjoy what I do to an extent. Basically, I run a machine that produces IV's from saline to Heparin and am responsible for the overall quality and output of the units (33 bags/min). I work 12hrs/days 3-4 days a week and I adore my schedule and pay is decent (much more than I would be making as a CNA; I have an active license.) Being that I am pursing a career in nursing, and the fact that I have become so good at my job that it no longer keeps my attention ( im literally on this forum for 12hrs while at work) I am desperate to make a transition into direct patient care. I have 1 month experience as a CNA. But coupled with my full time job, learning a new job as a CNA, and taking pre-req's, I decided to quit the CNA gig as the stress of managing these three commitments was a little more than what I had anticipated. I did like the work, I felt free! Didn't mind the poo! I enjoyed talking to real people! I don't get much person to person interaction at my current job. Nonetheless, I am still struggling to leave my job simply due to the fact that Iv'e been there for so long and was recently promoted (same job more pay). I am often in regret over my decision to stay at this company for more pay seeing as how it is no longer fulfilling work for me, and I originally got my CNA cert. in order to accrue points for relative work experience which I could apply to the nursing program at my community college. My question is: Has anyone had similar struggles of transitioning from another profession into health care? How did you manage to make the transition? Would you leave your job with more seniority and benefits in order to pursue a career that you desired even if the pay was less?

Thanks in advance for any input

Yeah!..I left a good paying engineering career to go into healthcare. At the end of the day, you gotta do what makes you happy. Humans need a purpose. If nursing is yours, take the plunge. Good luck!

10 hours ago, Sumdaymurse said:

So, a little background about myself: I am a 27yo male, I work in production for a pharmaceutical company in Irvine Ca. I have been at this company for going on 10 years. I enjoy what I do to an extent. Basically, I run a machine that produces IV's from saline to Heparin and am responsible for the overall quality and output of the units (33 bags/min). I work 12hrs/days 3-4 days a week and I adore my schedule and pay is decent (much more than I would be making as a CNA; I have an active license.) Being that I am pursing a career in nursing, and the fact that I have become so good at my job that it no longer keeps my attention ( im literally on this forum for 12hrs while at work) I am desperate to make a transition into direct patient care. I have 1 month experience as a CNA. But coupled with my full time job, learning a new job as a CNA, and taking pre-req's, I decided to quit the CNA gig as the stress of managing these three commitments was a little more than what I had anticipated. I did like the work, I felt free! Didn't mind the poo! I enjoyed talking to real people! I don't get much person to person interaction at my current job. Nonetheless, I am still struggling to leave my job simply due to the fact that Iv'e been there for so long and was recently promoted (same job more pay). I am often in regret over my decision to stay at this company for more pay seeing as how it is no longer fulfilling work for me, and I originally got my CNA cert. in order to accrue points for relative work experience which I could apply to the nursing program at my community college. My question is: Has anyone had similar struggles of transitioning from another profession into health care? How did you manage to make the transition? Would you leave your job with more seniority and benefits in order to pursue a career that you desired even if the pay was less?

Thanks in advance for any input

If you have a passion and interest in nursing, you will make it work. I left financial services to go into nursing after 10 years. I can honestly tell you that you will worry about money, insurance, retirement, compare yourself to your old colleagues that are getting promoted and going on vacation while you are studying for yet another pre-req and writing yet another application or statement response. There will always be sacrifices if you are working toward a goal because we live in a world with finite resources and time. You will have to give up something in order to be able to pursue said goal. But I know that I am working towards something that I will really enjoy and while I know I will never love my future job 100% everyday (because no job is perfect), I know that it will bring me more satisfaction which in itself is worth the paychecks I have missed out on these last few years. I can also see myself doing this until I retire which was not the case at my old job.

Now three years later, I am in my first year of NP school and I am learning a lot and enjoying my current maternity rotation. It does work out but it requires a bit of letting go and taking everything a step at a time. Good luck!

2 hours ago, Ohm108 said:

If you have a passion and interest in nursing, you will make it work. I left financial services to go into nursing after 10 years. I can honestly tell you that you will worry about money, insurance, retirement, compare yourself to your old colleagues that are getting promoted and going on vacation while you are studying for yet another pre-req and writing yet another application or statement response. There will always be sacrifices if you are working toward a goal because we live in a world with finite resources and time. You will have to give up something in order to be able to pursue said goal. But I know that I am working towards something that I will really enjoy and while I know I will never love my future job 100% everyday (because no job is perfect), I know that it will bring me more satisfaction which in itself is worth the paychecks I have missed out on these last few years. I can also see myself doing this until I retire which was not the case at my old job.

Now three years later, I am in my first year of NP school and I am learning a lot and enjoying my current maternity rotation. It does work out but it requires a bit of letting go and taking everything a step at a time. Good luck!

This is beautiful, thanks so much for the encouragement! Oh I definitely can’t see myself doing what I’m doing now until I retire. Your other points make absolute sense!

Your courage and drive are just inspiring. Congratulations to you, and best wishes !!

7 hours ago, TheAngryMan said:

Yeah!..I left a good paying engineering career to go into healthcare. At the end of the day, you gotta do what makes you happy. Humans need a purpose. If nursing is yours, take the plunge. Good luck!

Boy that takes guts! I know perhaps the grass might not be greener in some respects but the reason I’ve been at my current job for so long is due to the demand. CNA’s are in demand all day long, but of course they work infinitely harder than I am right now. So while taking a pay cut sounds daunting, at least I won’t have to worry about employment. Thanks for the advice, your awesome!