Z0RN

I noticed you live in the US? It must be different here in Canada, because there are schools that offer a bachelor's in psychiatric nursing.

Hello, I've been considering a career change for quite some time now and think psychiatric nursing is something that I'd enjoy doing. I'm 24 years old and for the past 5 years I've worked in the railroad industry as a conductor/locomotive engineer. Even though I do not find my job fulfilling, and working on call 24/7-365 is a great way to knock about 20 years off your life, I feel like I'm trapped by golden handcuffs so to speak.. I'm currently making over 6 figures and realize that if I do quit and go back to school for nursing, not only will I not have an income for about 3 years, but ill have to accept about a 50k a year cut in pay after I graduate and get a job. I've talked to a few different people about it, some people think I should go for it and others think I'd regret it. I feel like I'd enjoy helping people with mental illnesses because I've been diagnosed with and treated for PTSD and depression in the past. I feel like I have a background in which I could relate to some of the people going through psychiatric problems. Anyone have advice for me?