Quitting my $63K job as a legal assistant for nursing school

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Hi, I'm quitting my job as a legal asst and starting clinicals in the fall. While I'm excited about this new career path, I am scared to death about quitting my well-paid job and not being able to find a job as an RN. I have heard that this is an ongoing problem with new graduates. Also, what do RN's make in the State of Maryland? Does anyone know? I am approaching my 50th birthday in December and am not getting any younger, so I also fear my age might be a factor in getting hired against my younger counterparts. Although I'm not changing careers for the money, I do have concerns because I have a family that relies on my contribution. My plan is to find a part-time job while attending nursing school but think it will be hard to find an employer who will want to accommodate my schedule. Any feedback regarding these concerns would be welcome! Thank you.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Good Luck to you! Nursing is demanding and I am able to retire at 51...and I am taking it! After 30 years on my feet, the physical demands are hard...even working in a NICU...your back might be saved, but the legs and brain are tired lol You will find employment easier if you are pursuing your BSN, that is for sure! And I like the legal route!

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Well, I'm not exactly facing retirement; I figure I have another 20 years of working in today's world. that's long enough to spend in a new career.

haha! :D EXACTLY! When Social Security retirement age was set at 65, not a lot of people lived much beyond that, and many actually didn't live that long. There is no reason why most people in good health can't work past age 65. "Approaching retirement" at age 50 is really farfetched, Kiddos! Working until age 70-80 is going to be the new norm, so start saving your cash for that now.

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You have good reason to be concerned. Your assessment of the situation sounds pretty accurate. I wish you well with your chosen career path -- and hope that nursing really satisfies your inner needs -- because it's probably going to cost you financially.

If it's what you need to do to be satified with your life, go for it. But don't expect for it to be financially profitable. You'll not "break even" for many years -- if ever. By the time your nursing salary will compensate for what the education will cost (both in terms of direct expenses and in terms of lost wages while in school) several years will have passed. A lot can happen in the next 10-15 years -- with the world, with the economic situation, with your health, with your family.

Yes, you see nurses working well into their 60's -- but you don't see many of them working full time, earning the highest salaries. Nursing is a physically and mentally draining career and few nurses work full time in the highest paying jobs (usually the most demanding jobs) beyond age 60. Most nurses start scaling back to jobs that are a little kinder to their bodies and their psyches as they age -- sacrificing a little in salary inorder to ease the stress on the minds and bodies.

llg -- age 56

And all of this is based on being 60 and coming from a life-long career in nursing. I personally see no reason why someone who is say, 50-60, physically sound, and not all damaged and worn out, can't switch to floor nursing and do the job. Hospitals have lift devices now. They have rules that nobody lifts >35 pounds of a patient. Use the rules to your advantage, make the job wait for the proper equipment, do not sacrifice yourself for anybody, and don't get hurt. Get your weight in normal range and keep it down. Wear decent shoes that let you walk around all day. Geeze, Louise, people!

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Oh, and if you know how I can get into a $63k desk and research job, I will gladly give nursing school the old heave-ho. Families, children, and child-rearing give me a huge, huge, pain. I'd love to tell those people to shove off so I can work with adults and old people. >;-D

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Many of us approaching 50 or 60 didn't have all the "modern" lift things etc and we worked our tails off...and we did team nursing which usually involved 20 patients with one aide and running on our feet for 12 hours. I am pretty healthy, within a normal weight and wear great shoes, but the body can only take so many years of running around, not eating and sleeping right because of off shifts and it starts to tell you to take it easy. I am fortunate enough that I will be in a position to be able to take my retirement at age of 51...I am planning on working prn until my kiddos are out of college and I am looking forward to taking it easy after 30 years of full time employment :)

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Is there any way that you can keep your job while pursuing nursing? Maybe part time With both..I Would not quit ANY job in this economy to go back to school because it seems really hard to get a job in most sectors.I understand having dreams,but the nursing industry is not looking so great right now so a part time program may be best..maybe the economy will be better once you finish your program.

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Kudos for following your dream and pursuing such a noble profession, but... I hate to say it, but I would encourage you to strongly re-evaluate your decision. You will definitely be taking a paycut as a new RN (I'm just ballparking something around 45-50k/year), and without further education you probably won't ever make more than what you make now. I quit my low paying full-time job a year ago to pursue nursing. I'm in my twenties, I love nursing, and when it comes to quality of life and income my family stands to gain from my career switch (assuming I will find work after graduation).

What you are doing is definitely risky. I find myself wondering what your current quality of life is and what you expect to gain by going into nursing. Is there another way you could achieve your goals without taking such a big risk? What is your biggest problem with your current job? The hours, the stress, everything? Could you find a way to transition to a different job without going back to school?

I'm sure you have already considered other options, but I strongly recommend making sure that you've thought of everything and asking yourself what it is that could lead you to a happy, fulfilled life! If nothing but nursing will help make that happen for you, then by all means, go for it! Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Isn't 50 the new 40. ;) My parents are in their mid 50's and they don't look it at all! Anyways, that $63K/yr job sound enticing, but you may be miserable in that job and want to get out, so I can't tell you not to pursue a career you want to get up for. Congrats for getting into Nursing school and I wish you all the best in your journey.

On a side note, I knew someone who left their $100k/year Corporate America job to become a teacher. Didn't get it at the time, but she wanted do what she was passionate about. Don't get her wrong, she didn't leave that job to become a kindergarten teacher, she got her PhD and now is a college professor and loves it.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.
haha! :D EXACTLY! When Social Security retirement age was set at 65, not a lot of people lived much beyond that, and many actually didn't live that long. There is no reason why most people in good health can't work past age 65. "Approaching retirement" at age 50 is really farfetched, Kiddos! Working until age 70-80 is going to be the new norm, so start saving your cash for that now.

You guys are crazy:lol2: I don't mean to sound rude but there is no way working in your 80's is normal or going to be normal. I know there's the exception but usually it's because of neccesity not choice. I am starting my career slightly later then planned and will most likely have to work until I'm 60 and I don't like that because I want to enjoy the last part of my life with my family and grandchildren:redbeathe

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Boy, if I knew what I know now about nursing school and the way health care is for those in it, I'd never in a million years have signed up. Worst decision of my life. Almost finished now unfortunately.

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You guys are crazy:lol2: I don't mean to sound rude but there is no way working in your 80's is normal or going to be normal. I know there's the exception but usually it's because of necessity not choice...
Exactly. And there is a lot of necessity out there now, and there will be even more of that in the future. Many people in their 40s through early 60s lost their careers due to loss of manufacturing in the USA, and many more also lost retirement money when the housing values plunged and the stocks dropped, and the 401ks shrank. Additionally, many in their 40s and 50s have now depleted all of their savings and cashed out their retirements to try to get their kids through college and keep making the payments on the huge debts that they have incurred. I don't know how old you are, but if you think you will only have to work until age 60 you'd better already have a huge financial nest egg right now. I know people in their 80s who retired at age 62-65, and have already run out of money and they've gone back to work. Not in nursing, and not over 30 hours per week, but they work.
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I think the fact that you left your high paying job for nursing school is a way to show your dedication. I think when you graduate and apply for a job, this is a great story to tell because they will see that you really love nursing. Gluck

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