please vote--change career mid life?

SweetieRN · Jul 24, 2006

It depends on what part of the country you live in. Where I am, new grads start out at about $18/hour. Not too great for someone with an advanced degree. Another thing to consider is that nursing is not a 9-5 job. As a new grad, you may have to work nights until you get more seniority. Also, many facilities require you to work 3, 12-hour shifts per week. That will mean being gone from your family for up to 14 hours per day. Then there is the issue of on-call, weekends, holidays. If you are considering being a nurse in a hospital, you must remember that hospitals are open 24/7.

Mulan · Jul 24, 2006

Do you work in a hospital?

Working conditions for nurses are pretty bad with high patient loads, in a lot of places. Not to mention the responsibility, the liability and the stress that goes along with it.

If it were me, I'd stay where I was at. Money isn't everything.

cajrio · Jul 25, 2006

Hi:

Nursing is a great profession but to make money in nursing you need to work extra hours and work odd shift and holidays. With a family obligations this is not easy, negotiations and boundarys must be set so that you can have both a family and a career.

Also you mention the monetary issues, there are many other careers that are part of the medical profession that will pay a better salary with hours that are more structured for a family life and less to no legal responsibility.

Ultrasound tech who do cardiology in my state start at 26.00 a hour, surgical tech start at 17.50 an hour, echo technicians start at 21.00 a hour, all these subspecialities allow you to work 4,8, 12 hr shifts and your pay will be better then most nurses who have five years experience. I know in our unit RT's who have 6yrs experience are paid better then most nurses in the unit. RT can be taught to be ECMO specialist or you can train to be a perfusionist and they are paid well.

Becaues you have a degree already you have several option, check out the local technical college in your area to see what programs they offer, or if nursing is where your heart is calling you then go for a bridge program. What ever you choice I wish you luck!

allnurses Guide · Jul 25, 2006

Honestly, it sounds to me like you've got it made. =) But, if you truly feel called to be a nurse, go for it. But don't DON'T do it because you will be making more money. You might be, yes, but it really isn't THAT much more than what you are making now, especially depending on what part of the US that you are in.

nursecher · Jul 25, 2006

I did it! Well, I am not mid-life but I made 35K a year with no experience and no degree. I worked for an Insurance company and hated my job! I decided I have many, many more years left to work so I a might as well like what I do. I have always wanted to be nurse and going to nursing school is a dream come true for me. Yeah, it is more money but not THAT much more.

The other reason I made this decision is job security. The company I worked for had shut down departments in the past, leaving employees jobless. This scared me, and I thought if they ever closed down I would have no degree to fall back on. My theory is they will always need nurses somewhere.

I say if you enjoy the work you do, feel you have job security, and get along with your co-workers......you should stay where you are and count your blessings. It would not be worth the slight pay increase if you already have all of these other things.

KScott · Jul 25, 2006

Have a master's degree in nutrition. I am 33 years old. Currently making $37,000 with 5 years experience. Considering going back to nursing school because of my low pay. Considering the cost of tuition and the many years at this school, would this be a wise decision? I do like helping people--- but I cannot stand seeing someone in pain and I am not sure if this is something one can overcome. I want to go into nursing because of the better pay. Any advice? I have a very flexible salaried position. Married with a 2 year old, and hoping for another in the next one year or so. Current work hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Ahem! Just for the record... 33 is not mid-life!!! That means a life expectancy of 66 - barely retirement age! :trout:

Now, as for your question. Age is not a factor, but many other things are. In the end, you have to follow your heart. Good luck, in whatever you decide to do.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jul 25, 2006

Have a master's degree in nutrition. I am 33 years old. Currently making $37,000 with 5 years experience. Considering going back to nursing school because of my low pay. Considering the cost of tuition and the many years at this school, would this be a wise decision? I do like helping people--- but I cannot stand seeing someone in pain and I am not sure if this is something one can overcome. I want to go into nursing because of the better pay. Any advice? I have a very flexible salaried position. Married with a 2 year old, and hoping for another in the next one year or so. Current work hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm.

If you want to go into nursing for this reason alone, my advice would be DON'T.

Also, your schedule will likely not be as flexible as a nurse as it is now (at least not as a new grad). You will miss holidays with your family. You will miss sporting activities and school plays because of work. Is it worth it to you? If yes, go for it. If no, you may want to reconsider.

undecided · Jul 25, 2006

I am not a nurse but was thinking of it. I changed careers in my late 30's after working in insurance for 8 years and staying home to raise kids for another 10.

I would not do it for the money. If you hate parts of your job , then any amount of money you make will not be worth it. I ended up getting a second degree in Nuclear Medicine tech which is a suspecialty of radiology. THe job market is tight right now but the money and hours are decent. I make $40 /hour per diem at a Cardiologist office and the hospitals here pay $35-38/hour per diem for someone with no experience. Now, I am in norther NJ so the salaries are probably higher than other parts of the country. Full time techs start around $30/hour in a hospital. Most NUc med departments are open 7-7 M-F. There is a little bit of call but now much. You take care of patients but only for 30 minutes - a few hours . You also give a limited amount of meds and have to inject and start IV's - Anyway, its something else to think about.

Monica

banditrn · Jul 25, 2006

Geez, if you go into nursing just for the money, you'll hate it!:uhoh21:

Everything the others said about starting out as a new grad is true. I have always enjoyed being at the bedside and working with people, which is why I've tolerated so much garbage from administration over the years.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2006

The schedule alone would make me stay put. I agree that after 5 years as a nurse you wont be making much more than you are now, AND you will be working rotational shifts, maybe straight nights. If your job in the nutritian office is like most i see it is mainly days, noone calling you every time your off to come in and work extra etc. JMHO

The grass isnt always greener on the other side of the fence.

Midwest4me · Jul 26, 2006

Have a master's degree in nutrition. I am 33 years old. Currently making $37,000 with 5 years experience. Considering going back to nursing school because of my low pay. Considering the cost of tuition and the many years at this school, would this be a wise decision? I do like helping people--- but I cannot stand seeing someone in pain and I am not sure if this is something one can overcome. I want to go into nursing because of the better pay. Any advice? I have a very flexible salaried position. Married with a 2 year old, and hoping for another in the next one year or so. Current work hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm.

You clearly state that money would be your primary motivator for pursuing nursing. You also mention the tuition cost, years you would have to invest in more schooling(and you MAY NOT get into nursing school for a few years due to the competition and instructor shortage). Unless you received scholarships, loan payments could be a burden once you are out of school. My advice is to seek financial counsel in readjusting your budget---your current job/career sounds WONDERFUL, and much more conducive to family life considering you have a little one and plan for another one soon.