please vote--change career mid life?

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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.

Specializes in Med/Surg. Clinic with a Surgeon.
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.

I am a 44 year old LPN and RN graduate, reviewing to take my boards in a two months. I am married sixteen going on seventeen and have two girls 9 and 10. I went to school part time for the LPN and RN, let me tell you it is hard on you! As for your family, even harder on them! My husband and I have had several intense moments, my girls complain even when I am home I am not home due to studying. Yes the pay is great in some areas, but if you are doing it just for that reason don't. Nursing is the best decision I ever did for myself, but make sure your husband is supportive! Also do not expect banking hours, when first starting you either get nights, or evenings,or combination of both, and work every other holiday. You really have to want to be a nurse as bad as I have, and to keep in perspective that you can't resolve everything for your patient's as much as you would like to. You have to do what you feel is best for you, if you intend on extending your family it would have to be put on hold due to the stress of school and tests, lots of tests! I am not trying to keep you from nursing, because it is the best in my opinion, I am just being honest on what I went through. Good luck in what you decide!

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Hi, I am 33 with 3 kids and a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology. I just finished an accelerated nursing program which took only 9 months. I am now an RN with a job in labor and delivery and love it. I did not LOVE speech pathology and everyone thought I was crazy for not continuing with that. I am glad with my decision. You need to go with what you want. I could not see myself as a speech therapist in 10 yrs but with nursing, there are SOOO many options. So, my advice is to look for an accelerated school and fly through it. I was in class from 9-5 every day and clinicals on the weekends. But, you can do anything for 9 months!!! I say go for it. By the way, I am working nights because it works best with my kids' schedule. They are 7, 3, and 2. I will get paid $25.58 on week nights and $31.08/hr. on the weekends, not too bad!

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Please, please do not change careers to nursing if you think there is better pay. That is a joke. There is presently a lawsuit on behalf of 4 nurses in regard to the suppression of salaries. It is sooooo true. It would appear you have wonderful hours now. The bean counters run hospitals now. The staffing is poor. There is actually no nursing shortage as is being publicized. Nurses are leaving the field in droves due to the working conditions.

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OOPs! I also must add the garbage you have to put up with from management is enough to creat the nursing shortage. There is not enough money in nursing to approach your currently working conditions. Nurses must work overtime, must work holidays, must find someone else to work for them (is that possible) when a family matter necessitates attention. I once worked with an RN whose son was injured at football practice and was taken to the hospital via ambulance--neck injury. Management stated she needed to call someone in to replace her or she risked "abandoning" her patients and would be fired. Go figure.

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:balloons: Gabbie you need to take a chill pill. Why do you assume she doesn't care for her patients or people in general? Do you initiate all your correspondence with " I love my patients and the whole world. So what if I get pooped, peeded, vomitted on and get yelled at. I am a nurse and a great martyr too." Life is short. Please give this gal the benefit of your unrealistic doubts. She has a family. We all must make our choices in life and respect others. The respect others part you need a lot of work on... what you said was really mean:trout: . Wake up and smell the coffee.

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I recently made the decision to do just what you are thinking about, however, I am 41, have a BS in MIS and left a job that paid nearly 100k a year. I am in my final year of school, and although difficult, it was the best thing that I ever did.

Please base your decision on your goals in life, not the money, which is very hard when a good attitude doesnt pay the bills! What does your family and support structure think of the change... more importantly, what does your gut say?

I may never earn the same amount of money, but not dreading going to work everyday has a greater impact for me! Good Luck! :innerconf

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Where do I begin? I went into nursing because of the salaries and great job market ("I'll always have a job, no matter what the economy does") and it was a big mistake!! I hate working odd hours, holidays, and the general care of sick people - it is a poor fit for my personality, and the money is NOT worth it. I am ready for a career change myself, but I am carefully weighing my options, because in my opinion, if you're going to go back to school, even for just a couple of years, it needs to be for something you actually are happy with. And I can tell you from my experience that it'd be worth making less money if you like your job. You have to ask yourself if you enjoy your job. Why give up good hours and a good overall job (that is, if you like what you currently doing) just to make a *slightly* higher salary? The salaries for nurses aren't THAT great...I mean, it's good money, but believe me, you earn it!!! It's hard, backbreaking work, and I am sure people have already stated these things before, so I won't beat a dead horse. But please consider going to a career counselor or doing some serious searching to find a job that is both a good fit for you AND makes a level of salary you are happy with. Also, considering you have a small child, and possibly another soon, you have great hours for being a mom. Oh, and if you have issues seeing people in pain....nursing is probably not the best choice for you! Do consider other career options before making your decision. Good luck to you!

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Well, I just realized that the original poster already said she decided against nursing!! I guess I rambled about it for nothing. Anyway...good luck to you!

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Please do yourself (and patients) a favor and do NOT just go into nursing for the money. You have a masters degree, have you considered teaching? I know in Calif they make good money, I'm not sure elsewhere. Say, junior college level--that's helping people.

However, you're young and have a lot of years ahead of you (middle age? puh'leeease :chuckle ) so, if you do decide to be a nurse just remember, it's a job that's not for the weak of heart.

Good luck!

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I think it depends considerably on what you're comparing it to. Personally, I have no problem with people seeing nursing as a way to make a better life for themselves. I'm making twice what I did while I was in nursing school. I'm driving the first new car I've ever owned. It isn't a Bentley, but I like it.

Certainly, if anyone had told me twenty years ago that I would be a nurse, someday, I'd have thought they were nuts. At that time, I would have been poorly prepared to be a nurse. I didn't lack compassion, but I'm not sure I could have handled the stress, the grief, the frustration, or the smells.

I sort of stumbled into health care, and after working with nurses awhile, it seemed like something I could enjoy, and make a decent living at. So far, it has been a great choice for me, but if it didn't pay better than bagging groceries, I'm not sure caring for my fellow man would be enough incentive to put up with the downside.

I agree with you. I don't think because right out of high school you pick up nursing you are ready for it. If that was the case you wouldn't have so many nurses leaving the profession and starting new ones like everyone else is doing. Not to mention all the students dropping out of school once they really see what nursing is all about. I think it takes a lot of guts to change careers and start up a new one wether its nursing or whatever. Nursing just happens to pay good and has great job security. Isn't that why most people scout out jobs? I am 37 year old man and I would of never even thought of even being a CNA let alone a nurse! I think that you grow into who you are and if a rocket scientist wants to be a nurse, bless him/her.

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I suspect that most of us who have been nurses for more than a few years are somewhat astounded at the people who are now considering nursing "for the money." These are the same people ten years ago who wouldn't have been caught dead within a hundred yards of a nursing school, for all the stated reasons plus one--it didn't pay squat. The idea that nursing somehow has a wage scale that is now attractive to newcomers blows my mind, that's for sure.

Does it matter as long as people recieve good healthcare? When you started, years ago, times were different in this country. Now people switch careers like changing clothes. Instead of looking at the negative, look at it this way. The person changing careers for the money in nursing may become one of the best nurses you have ever seen. This may have just been someones true calling, I know it's mine. Years at a job don't always have you good at a job. Look at George Bush.

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I recently made the decision to do just what you are thinking about, however, I am 41, have a BS in MIS and left a job that paid nearly 100k a year. I am in my final year of school, and although difficult, it was the best thing that I ever did.

Please base your decision on your goals in life, not the money, which is very hard when a good attitude doesnt pay the bills! What does your family and support structure think of the change... more importantly, what does your gut say?

I may never earn the same amount of money, but not dreading going to work everyday has a greater impact for me! Good Luck! :innerconf

Breathe easy. I left a management position at VISA and I haven't felt more free. I really believe I can fly. Money isn't everything, family is.

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