Hello everyone. I'm trying to figure out my career life and I am kinda, sorta lost. I'm currently 29 years old and unemployed. I was laid off a few months ago. I worked for a company for 9 years in the accounts receivable department. I liked it for the most part although not something I would want to do all my life simply because it was so centered specifically on one task (accounts receivable).
So I've been thinking these past couple months about my career, or lack thereof. I think I have my interests down to just 2. Nursing and Accounting.
I've wrote out some pro's and con's of each and would love any advice you can offer.
Accounting Pros:
-I could get a decent paying job with only 2 years of college, a great paying job with 4.
-I've always wanted to own my own company. With accounting I could have a bookkeeping/accounting/tax service company.
-My fiance(soon to be husband) could be involved in that business.
-I love doing stuff on the computer. With this career choice I would be on the computer alot.
-If I had my own company, I could choose to work only 4 days and different hours instead of the dreadful 5 days and 8-4 or 9-5 mundaneness.
Accounting Cons:
-I find it dreadful to get up to an alarm clock in the morning. With this career choice it would likely mean a Monday-Friday alarm clock wake up.
-Have to get dressed up every day.
-4 year degree required to make great money.
Nursing Pros:
-There are a ton of possibilites with Nursing. Lots of career paths.
-Little schooling needed. 2 years to become a registered nurse.
-Schedule flexibility. Could work 3 days a week on 12 hour shifts. Would not have to wake up to an alarm clock everyday.
-Wear scrubs. No dressing up.
Nursing Cons:
-No chance of every having my own company.
-Fiance could not be involved.
-Work nights and weekends and holidays.
I think the biggest things for me are the working holidays, weekends. My fiance and I are trying to have a baby, so I want to be there for everything. Also a big factor for me is getting up to an alarm clock everyday. I am not a morning person and in my last job I called out quite frequently because I could not get up. Now that I have been unemployed, I get up at a decent hour, probably 1/2 hour later than I used to at my previous job.. but it's not to an alarm clock going off. (if that makes any sense).
Ok so those are basically the pro's and con's of the things I think are important in my decision. Thank you to anyone who could help.
Thank you for all the replies. I'm still confused but your replies were great.
When I said "little" schooling, I meant time-wise. I do understand that nursing school is very challenging.
Also, As far as getting upi n the morning, well I think I confused you all about that as well. The thing I hate is getting up Monday to Friday at 6am(for example), every day, every week, every month. I would totally love odd hours. I used to get up on monday mornings and the first thing I thought about is how I have to do this 4 more times and it was totally unmotivating.
Anyway, I'm still not sure what to do but thank you all.
If you dont like to get up in the morning how are you going to take care of your newborn?
You forgot about the part of the real possibility of getting any and every type of noxious body fluid or substance of strangers on you on a regular basis. Also, the possibility of contracting serious or deadly diseases if one is not always on task.
Few jobs subject workers to such conditions. For hospital nurses its just another day.
I think you should go into accounting and start your own business. It seems like you were in the habit of calling off at your last job when you were not sick. Most employers these days are very harsh on call-off's in general, even for people who are really sick. Employers anymore don't want anyone calling off.
Have you ever been checked for a sleep disorder? It sounds like your desire to sleep is a little out of control -- have you been checked for narcolepsy or apnea?
Specializes in ER, CRITICAL CARE, COMMUNITY HEALTH.
Amanda1266, it really depends on what you consider as "great pay." Your nursing salary will depend on which field of nursing you're interested in. For instance, hospital nurses make more than nurses in nursing homes, Agency nurses may make more than the average staff nurse, critical care/ER nurses make more than med/surg. nurses. Advanced Practice nurses make more than all of the above in most cases.
Little schooling? I pulling up on 8 years. 3 years diploma, 2 years BSN and now 2 years into a Master's and that's not including the 3 summers I worked on my 3 different certifications. I'll be 50 when I'm done but at least I'm clearing nearly 6 figures. Do what you love.
Little schooling? I pulling up on 8 years. 3 years diploma, 2 years BSN and now 2 years into a Master's and that's not including the 3 summers I worked on my 3 different certifications. I'll be 50 when I'm done but at least I'm clearing nearly 6 figures. Do what you love.
OP probably did. It's been 5 years since she's been here.
I'm having the same problem- BA Accounting in 2005. Enrolled in Hinds Nursing school, been a long process- prereqs, then RN program, then went to the LPN program. Couldn't pass check-offs, even though the instructors had seen me perform the procedures during class. The pressure of check-offs, being watched and judged. Eating their own, the instructors were good at it. Both accounting and the academic portion of nursing was easy for me. Would like to hear more suggestions, thanks.
I pulling up on 8 years. 3 years diploma, 2 years BSN and now 2 years into a Master's and that's not including the 3 summers I worked on my 3 different certifications. I'll be 50 when I'm done but at least I'm clearing nearly 6 figures. Do what you love.
Blackheartednurse
1,216 Posts
If you dont like to get up in the morning how are you going to take care of your newborn?