Quitting my job this morning to go into the medical field

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Hello.

After working in the corporate setting for about 2 years now, I have decided that Monday morning (and I will be at work in a few hours as it's 4 am right now), I am going to turn in my notice. Rather than do 2 weeks, I will likely tell them I am leaving at the end of February so my official first day of unemployment begins March 1st.

I work in accounting and have become so tired of the atmosphere and work environment here. Everyone is worried about losing their jobs, so that the office has become a culture of individuals looking out for themselves only. Even before this though I found the job, while monetarily rewarding, to be almost completely void of any rewarding feeling or even the accomplished feeling that accompanies an honest day's hard work. While I've enjoyed the low stress job functions and freedom to go to the bank, go take a walk, or eat lunch whenever I feel like it, this weekend I realized the cons have outweighed the pros. Certainly I will miss the easy hours and being able to browse the internet online, but nevertheless, it is time for a change.

Over the weekend, at my college, while taking an express speech course, one student talked about the advantages of switching to the medical field. I had already planned on acquiring my CNA over the summer and working my way up to the ER until I finish school (I am only a college freshman working on a 4 year degree), but have decided to go ahead and get started. I found a CNA training program which costs roughly $800 and offers a 2 week M-F express course. I will hopefully start it March 1st and by April 1st be working in a hospital.

In high school I worked in the patient cafeteria, not the one which served visitors, but which prepped and wheeled the huge delivery carts to the nurse stations. So I am not totally unfamiliar with the environment, although this was nearly three years ago. I have heard my share of horror stories about being a CNA, and while I am confident I will in time find a place that I do not have to deal with too much crap, metaphorically and literally, I have decided I am willing to work my way up to an ER position where I will eventually work on being able to do phlebotomy. I realize this will have to be a long term endeavor and that a job in the medical field will have its fair shares of ups and downs. However I have assessed the market and financially now is one of the best times to get into the medical field as ever, at least compared to the corporate world. I also look forward to working in an exciting and actually rewarding environment.

My friends have offered mixed critique. Most have said I should just wait because I do make very good money for my age at the office job I have now. However my gut and intuition are telling me to go through with this, so in just a few hours I will be giving my boss the news. She is not the best boss in the world or anywhere close so I can only guess she will be very upset to learn she has to deal with hiring and training someone to fill my position. But I have humbled myself too many times in interest of the company and not once has it paid off personally in any way shape or form. So despite my own nerves and financial concerns, I am going to just go through with it.

Financially I have put some money away, largely from my decent sized apartment refund I received, my upcoming tax money, my quarterly bonus, and my incoming pell grant money for school. Additionally my credit card is for the most part paid off, meaning I have a couple thousand dollars to tide me over on bills and whatnot until I find the new job. I am a mix of scared and excited.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Congratulations on your decision! Best of luck to you!

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I too was in this same situation. It is working out for me and I have no regrets. I do want to tell you though that CNA's don't make a ton of money so spend wisely until you can get your degree and are making more money.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Surgical ICU, Anesthesia.

I left a very similiar position last year. In May 2008, I left my "Corporate America" job to pursue a nursing education. Previously, I had been pacing myself by knocking pre-requisites out over the course of a two-year period. My job was very cushy with regards to 2-hour lunch breaks if I wanted to take them, walks around a nearby lake, escaping over to Dunkin Donuts for coffee breaks, running errands, paying bills, surfing the internet, etc. I felt guilty because I could take care of so much personal business and still earn three promotions within 4 1/2 years. Similarly, I disliked my job very much because I dreaded going there and couldn't wait to leave when I arrived in the morning. Actually, it wasn't the fault of the company that I worked for because they attempted to improve morale, however. I'm just not wired for a cubicle job and felt imprisoned there M-F 8-5. Although it was very financially rewarding that's where the benefits stopped. Anyway, I took that leap of faith into nursing and haven't looked back. I've really enjoyed nursing school and as of right now, I'm in my third semester scheduled to graduate in August 2009. The two careers are about as different as they get. My days aren't eight hours long peppered with ridiculously long breaks here and there. Typically, 12 hours comes with a 30 minute lunch break and possibly, two 15 minute breaks (most of the time not). Regardless, I used to get home with an entire laundry list of complaints with regards to my corporate job and now, the only complaint I have sometimes is that my feet are sore. Otherwise, I'm very happy with my decision. Good luck and enjoy the ride! :yeah:

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

when i read these posts i can't help but say that we as humans are never satisfied. there are nurses out there that would knock over your grandmother to get a well paying m-f, 2 hour lunch, do what you want job. some nursing jobs are just as thankless as some corporate jobs the big difference though is that you have peoples lives in your hands and the even bigger difference is that know one appreciates your work, you don't always get breaks and the money is nothing to jump about. i like being a nurse, but i am always looking for the next step to a better a job. i will tell anyone that is leaving their m-f, comfy well paying job to think looooooooong and hard, because you may be in for a culture shock. i don't want to come accross as discouraging just being honest.

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Specializes in Surgical ICU, Anesthesia.
when i read these posts i can't help but say that we as humans are never satisfied. there are nurses out there that would knock over your grandmother to get a well paying m-f, 2 hour lunch, do what you want job.

i like being a nurse, but i am always looking for the next step to a better a job. i will tell anyone that is leaving their m-f, comfy well paying job to think looooooooong and hard, because you may be in for a culture shock. i don't want to come accross as discouraging just being honest.

I disagree. I think it comes down to what a person enjoys doing and possibly, the difficulty in finding a suitable career that matches their interest. The career switching may be why you said "never satisfied", but I think it's just searching for the perfect fit. I'd have no problem finding a job in CA because of my background, but I'm both happy and satisfied with nursing. Again, I'm just not wired at the moment for a CA job.

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I just wanted to update everyone. I'm in my office now and did tell my boss this morning and will be leaving on February 19th, at the end of the pay period for this month.

I am still nervous solely because of the economy, but I am telling myself, I have given this decision months of thought, I have wanted to get into the medical industry for roughly a year now, I have experience with it before, and most importantly: I made my decision based on what I value and what I felt is right for me, instead of making it out of fear.

I will keep you guys updated on how things go. I narrowed down the CNA schools to about 4 and will decide by Wednesday which one I'm going to (I live in the Plano/Dallas area). As soon as I enroll, at which point I won't be working, I will take either 2 or 3 weeks to get my CNA certification, depending on which school I pick. After the first couple days of class, I will begin actively applying at hospitals telling them I will have my CNA soon and find one I can start at once I get it. I also have a personal training certification which deals with a lot of anatomy, medical terminology, basic kinesolgy terminology (i.e. suppine), so I am hoping that will up my chances as well. Plus being a guy who is pretty big, I can handle roudy patients or move heavy objects.

Worst case scenario I will take a job as a personal care giver (see them all the time in job listings) until I get to a hospital.

I really appreciate all the support it is very helpful, especially hearing about people making similiar decisions. I will let you guys know when I find the CNA school I want to attend.

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Congratulations on your decision, and best of luck to you! I understand exactly how you feel about working in the corporate field. I've been in the corporate field for almost 11 years and will be quitting my job in July to start nursing school in August. After a while, it just becomes boring and like you said, you feel unfullfilled, regardless of having the freedom to surf the internet or take two-hour lunches. I decided to go into nursing four years ago, and have never had a doubt about it!

But please keep in mind that nursing is very different from the corporate field. You won't have the freedom anymore...as long as you're okay with that. Good luck!!

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I hope things work out for you. I think you will find out when you are a CNA if the medical field is right for you. It sounds like you have everything well planned out. Good Luck!

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I am so glad I found this conversation. I have also decided to go to Nursing School this summer. It makes me extremely nervous to quit my job but the field I am currently in was a total accident. I got a job as a transportation clerk while I was finishing my bachelor's degree and from there I have been promoted, laid off, hired on at another transportation company and promoted again. The worst thing is its a 3rd party logistics company so I could be laid off at any moment.

I have been considering nursing school for about a year. My best friend is an RN and works in Home Health Care. Of course her job has pros and cons, just like anything else, but overall she enjoys what she does. I have had her by my side through this whole process and she has been so supportive.

Like mentioned before, I think the medical field is a great way to go not only for job security and a great future outlook, but also for the fact that the opportunities are endless. Im really looking forward to beginning nursing school, but I can not shake the ball of nerves in my stomach. Its reassuring to hear of people making the same decisions I am and having success waiting for them at the other side of that decision.

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Specializes in ICU, Education.

Angel337 makes some very good points. If you go into nursing, be ready to have days with no lunch for 12 hours or to eat your hot food cold and your cold food hot. Be ready to work with a full badder, and hear your name called constantly. Be ready to be kicked, punched, spit at and screamed at. Be ready to take the blame for lab, pharmacy, dietary, equipment supply,and even doc screw ups. Be ready to work holidays and weekends.

That said, it is a rewarding profession (at times).

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Yep as I mentioned I have worked in a hospital before for about a year so the long shifts, doctor/nurse politics, holiday shifts, and short lunches are not new to me.

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