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.

Well, let see... if you are going into nursing for the money... stop right there, you will not get rich. I have been a nurse for 30 years with a critical care and legal background. Nursing is not where the money is. The hours are long, the shift work is hard, lack of family time is wearing... remember you will work Christmas, New Year, 4th of July. Your feet will hurt, your back will give out lifting those heavy patients. The patient ratio is high, and litigation is always a concern.

I have worked all shifts, 12 and 16 hours at a time. I missed my daughter's birthday, Christmas, Christmas Programs, Thanksgiving Dinners, School Programs, had to leave her when she was sick. Many times it is a thankless profession. Many places you are not treated with respect by any of the professions, least of all doctors.

Nursing pay in many institutions are factored into the Room and Board of the hospital stay for the patient. So basically nurses are equated to the worth of sheet. You are the last to get a raise, and first to get cut from the hospital budget. In many places you top out at 5-10 years. You must have the education to practice as a safe and prudent nurse.(I went back to the floor for a short time - the hospital was willing to pay me for 10 years of my 30 years of experience..and were eager to get my experience. Nope..

I am a legal nurse nurse working in litigation-- and unfortunately, many nurses are brought in as defendents when legal issues raises it ulgy head.

However, remember... this is your life and since you are married and a mother it is your family's life as well. Whatever path you should decide on... good luck. I do not mean to sound harsh, but reality is filled with cold hard facts. I talked my daughter out of being a nurse.... There is NO pay in nursing. If I were you... I would stay where you are and expand in your present field. Also 33 years old is not mid-life. You will be required to work in to your late sixties and maybe to 70. You are in your prime. Take advantage of it and enjoy your family and your baby.

Good luck.

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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.

I haven't a clue what GWB has to do with this discussion.

I didn't start in the Stone Age, dear. Times were not terribly different. There was a recession, jobs of any kind were hard to find, the minimum wage was about a dollar less than it is now, and still nobody wanted to be a nurse. I didn't make any type of statement about the kind of person who's choosing nursing now, only that the very idea that they might now be going into it "because of the money" is funny to me, as nursing has always been considered a pink-collar, low wage job. It's not a calling for me, never has been, never will be. It's just the best paying job that I'm legally able to find.

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
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.

On the other hand, I know several really good nurses in their 20s, including some working at their first job, ever. I do believe I was mature enough for nursing at 25, just not ready to enjoy it. Age and experience don't always equal wisdom (look at G--maybe I shouldn't go there!) and I very much admire those who are able to know from an early age what the ought to do with their lives.

Of course, we don't know but that some of these young women might decide in a couple of decades that they might like to be carpenters...

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Specializes in Jill of all trades, master of none?.
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

Amen, sister! I am 54 and finishing my first year of pre-req's! I'm a massage therapist who earned $62,000 last year, and there are those who think I've lost my mind. I know that I will not earn as much as a nurse as I have as a massage therapist (what is wrong with that picture?), but I'm doing it because I feel I can make a difference in patients' lives. Working night shift means I don't have to take Ambien for insomnia, and my cats don't care if I work weekends. Even if I can only get in 10-12 good years, it's worth it to me. I have always wanted to be a nurse but was afraid of failure. I know that it will get much harder from here, but I've managed to work and maintain a 4.0. Yea! Are there any other "late life" career changers out there?

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count me in at 45 and starting saccelerated rn classes in 3 weeks

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Wow, I didn't know you could make that much being a massage therapist. Sign me up! ;)

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I Am 37 Years Old And Have Decided To Go Back To Nursing School, I Think If Thats What You Wanna Do Go For It>

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Amen, sister! I am 54 and finishing my first year of pre-req's! I'm a massage therapist who earned $62,000 last year, and there are those who think I've lost my mind. I know that I will not earn as much as a nurse as I have as a massage therapist (what is wrong with that picture?), but I'm doing it because I feel I can make a difference in patients' lives. Working night shift means I don't have to take Ambien for insomnia, and my cats don't care if I work weekends. Even if I can only get in 10-12 good years, it's worth it to me. I have always wanted to be a nurse but was afraid of failure. I know that it will get much harder from here, but I've managed to work and maintain a 4.0. Yea! Are there any other "late life" career changers out there?

I tell my cats that Christmas falls on the 26th and Thanksgiving on a Friday, this year, but they don't seem to mind. I fear they may be pagans, anyway.

The great thing about starting late is that if you can manage to look the least bit confident, patients assume you've been at this for years. Of course, looking the least bit confident isn't always as easy as it sounds. It does get harder, once you start the nursing program, and the transition from school to real-life practice is harder, still. As nearly as I can tell, I'll probably be facing new challenges for the rest of my working life. Cool, huh?

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I did what you're considering. I spent my 40th birthday in all-day nursing classes. Nursing is hard work, and if you're older and just entering the field as a new nurse, it's even harder. My child already was in middle school at that point or I couldn't have made it. You have one small child and hope to have another. That isn't compatible with the early years of nursing. My advice would be to stay where you are.

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Specializes in Jill of all trades, master of none?.

You can if you kill yourself doing too many clients. I have been fortunate enough to have a few wealthy clients who pay very well. I am as strong as a horse (will have no problem lifting patients), but I've developed tendonitis in both elbows and have arthritis in my right hand. The gig is up!

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Specializes in Jill of all trades, master of none?.
I tell my cats that Christmas falls on the 26th and Thanksgiving on a Friday, this year, but they don't seem to mind. I fear they may be pagans, anyway.

The great thing about starting late is that if you can manage to look the least bit confident, patients assume you've been at this for years. Of course, looking the least bit confident isn't always as easy as it sounds. It does get harder, once you start the nursing program, and the transition from school to real-life practice is harder, still. As nearly as I can tell, I'll probably be facing new challenges for the rest of my working life. Cool, huh?

Nothing so far in my life has been easy, so I'm ready. However, everything has been a new adventure, and this will be as well. Bring it on! :monkeydance:

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Nothing so far in my life has been easy, so I'm ready. However, everything has been a new adventure, and this will be as well. Bring it on! :monkeydance:

I think there's a pretty general consensus that nursing school doesn't so much prepare you to be a nurse as to learn to be a nurse--your real education starts after you graduate. That's true, up to a point, though once you get past the initial mindless panic, you'll be amazed how much you did learn in school. The great thing is, each challenge you overcome does set you up to take on the next. You sound really ready, and in my personal experience, having spent time making a living in the real world puts the rigors of nursing school in perspective.

I hope you'll find it's worth it. I have. Getting that pin is a pretty proud moment, and even better is when a patient asks, "Are you back tonight? Good!" It's hard work, but it's a lot of fun, too.

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