nets5010

I am in a somewhat similar situation. I do not have children nor do I work a federal job so that may be the only difference. I have thought long and hard if I want to give up my cushy 7:30-4 job for nursing school. While it's hard to walk away, I think I will be happier in the long run. I love working. I have a ton of energy and I get really antsy working a desk job. I actually hate having to take holidays off and use my own PTO for that. It would be nicer to get paid the time and a half. I am not a single mother of twins though (so sorry for your loss). So it all depends on what your reasonings are and what you think you could handle. Maybe try to shadow a nurse at a hospital and see if it's for you?

Dang...you are amazing!

Don’t be embarrassed. Lol I was interested! Are you a new NP or new RN? I’m confused.

I think like another poster said...the grass always looks greener on the other side but I get your points. Well to me that is awesome new grad pay!!! Congrats!! Were you a CNA or LPN beforehand?? What floor do you work on?

I think great pay is mentioned a lot because of the potential for overtime, shift diffs, and holiday pay that you would never get from an ordinary salaried job elsewhere. Not sure where you live, but nurses in my area make great hourly wages and the other extras make it even better.

Agreed. You couldn't pay me enough to be a teacher. I can't understand why anyone would ever choose that. Maybe go into teaching nursing classes at a college??

Wow congratulations on 30 years of service! I get the venting part...everyone has to vent...and I think most people are not going to type a post about how much they love nursing, but rather come here to vent when they've had a bad day. So as a whole it looks like nobody enjoys their job. Serving God through our works is why I don't think I could ever do anything in business and so on. I would not feel like I am making any difference in the world other than earning other people more money. Thanks for sharing your experience ?

Why PA over NP? I have applied to PA school in the past...got waitlisted but never accepted. I realized it was a blessing in disguise because after reviewing the role of NP vs PA, I felt like NP fit much better with what I was trying to achieve.

I agree. I think some of the people I've talked to are just not happy with their lives in general. I am a pretty positive person, I love helping and caring for people, and I am usually happy. I never really have much to complain about in my current state. I strongly believe that it has to do with that type of person...not the situation they are in. Finding good in everything is possible. Thank you for the feedback! I hope one day I will have a nursing job that I love as much as you love yours ?

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Oh goodness..usually I try the search first, but did not do that this time for some reason. That was beautifully written. Thank you!

I start nursing school in the fall and have gotten a lot of negative feedback from nurses I work with who are really miserable as a nurse. Some are very encouraging, but most have told me to turn around now while I have the chance. Even the ones that say they like nursing usually only like it for the schedule flexibility and the money they make. I am just wondering if there is anyone out there that absolutely loves nursing and loves their job? I don't plan on changing my path...I guess I am just looking for some positive reinforcement that I am making the right decision and that there are actually nurses out there than truly enjoy what they do. Thanks in advance!

No way! It’s like I am living your life ? did you work as a dietitian too before becoming a nurse? I have been trying to find a dietitian transitioned to nurse to get their take but most end up going to PA route rather than nursing.

Thank you for the encouragement!

I think you are mistaken on the role of a clinical dietitian. I have a 4-year bachelor's degree in nutrition and 2 of those years were pure medical nutrition therapy courses where we learned the dietary management of possibly every disease you could think of. We may have had one class on food service management, or "running the dietary department," but that is a completely different position within the hospital. Registered dietitians are more than qualified to provide nutrition advice to a patient. We also write and manage tube feedings and TPNs. I have not once in my entire career recommended pizza or processed sugar to a patient. In fact, I regularly teach a modified plant based diet to my patients (modified in the sense that it allows lean animal sources in moderation if they want). It sounds like you have come into contact with some poor dietitians and I am sorry about that. We are not all like that though ?