November

Thanks for your kind post. This board and the people who post are wonderful - encouraging - supportive.

I think that you are not only doing the right thing - but the only thing you can do. I am 42 and starting an ABSN program in May. I am leaving a job that pays far more than nursing. I sold my house and moved in with my mother. I am filled with fear - and having all of your anxieties. But I am also filled with hope. For me, 20 more years as a lawyer (my current career) is simply to upsetting to contemplete - so I don't see as I have a choice. Perhaps you are in the same position - its a choice - but one you almost have to make - so go for it. Know that you can never say you didn't try - and I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Toby's mom: Thank you for your wonderful and very kind relpy. You, like you, so many of the nurses that visit this board are supportive. While I am still struggling with the identiy issue - I am getting better. Soon, I will be telling my boss of my plans, and I think that will help. I am sort of living a double life - in between worlds - and its very stressful. Your story has been inspirational and I am glad to know I am not the first to have the feelings I do.

Seems like everyone should get the same breaks - and for the same amounts of time. Smokers should not have more "free time". However, if the break is scheduled - the person should be able to do with it what they please.

I am leaving the law to become a nurse! We may be experiencing tandum burnout. While I have had enough - I can honestly say that I don't reqret my legal career one bit - and I'm glad to have the law degree. I wish you luck and happiness in your new career.

I too have been thinking alot about the negative posts. What is probably comes down to is this: All jobs are hard. There is mis-management, inequity, back-biting, ill-equipped superiors, too much work and too little pay. The answer must be - do what you really want - what you think you can love. Then, you can tolerate the problems and hopefully find some satisfaction along the way. I hope this is the case. I am banking my life on it. You seem to be doing the same, and I wish you the best.

Its wonderful to meet you! If you are anything like me - the decision you've made was hard, and not always met with understanding. I am still taking pre-reqs and my employeers don't know of my plans (it would NOT sit well with them and I need the job to pay for the year off). I have been sneaking around and leaving at 5 or 6 a few days a week to get to my classes on time (unheard of for a lawyer, I know) and feeling very stressed. However, despite it all, the stress and the fear ("what am I doing....?") I am happier than I have ever been in my life, and feeling real hope for my life for the first time in years. I wish you the best of luck!

Wow! It seems like we live on paralelle planets. I too felt that my career was rewarding - but have had enough. We seem to be experiencing mirror image burn-out! Good luck to you - you may want to think about law school - any questions you have, just let me know!

Thanks so much for your quick posts. I have been unhappy as an attorney for the past few years. So much of what I do is contentious - and often destructive, and I no longer have the heart for it. I work constantly and I am expected to be available 24/7. I know that nursing is very hard - but it seems that your own time is truely your own. Also, I want to connect with other human beings on a more positive and more intimate level. I have not yet been able to tell my employer (or most of my co-workers who are also my friends) that I am leaving - so sometimes I feel like I'm out there alone. Your kind words are very helpful and supportive.

I am new to allnurses.com. I have been lurking around for months, and have just recently taken the plunge and registered. In reading the posts from allnurses.com I have learning so much, and have great admiration for you all. I am a 41 year old lawyer that has been practicing for 17 years. For many reasons, and with great internal conflict (and a severe identiy crisis) I have decided to become a nurse (something I have had wanted at various times throughout my life since I was a child). I am currently working and taking pre-reqs, which has been very difficult. I plan to leave my job and attend Dominican College - for its BSN program, in May. I am so scared that sometimes I can hardly breath. I have a few questoins : Has anyone made a significant career change for nursing and been disappointed? What about those of you that have made the change and consider it the best decision of you life? While I don't make a great deal of money, I will make less as a nurse. Has anyone taken a pay cut to pursue a career in nursing - but even with hindsight - consider the decision to have been the right one anyway? Advice any of you might offer may help with my anxiety.