Quitting a six figure job to become a nurse...am I nuts

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I'm preparing to resign from my six figure job on Thursday. Im a pharmaceutical sales rep that is just totally burned out on the job. I've always wanted to be a nurse and am finally about to take the leap of faith. Im applying to accelerated BSN programs that start in the summer/fall. To make sure I get into these I have to finish up some prereqs which start today. I also have to take over a couple of classes that I got C's in 20 years ago to make sure my GPA is at least a 3.5.

I've saved money, paid off all of my debt and have a financial plan in place to make it through the next 4 years....I plan on going to grad school to get my MSN.

Am I nuts to pursue a dream? My exgirlfriend broke up with me over this. She said I was too old to become a nurse. She also thought that it wasn't a very manly profession. You can probably see why she is now an ex :)

Hi,

Nutty people dont pay off of their bills and save money! :)

Go for your dream. I am a second career as well. Life is a journey not a destination.

I always tell myself, I can always go back to what I was doing, if I dont like it. But would I have forgiven myself if I never tried.

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Drugreptonurse....I applaud you. I think you should do what makes you happy. If nursing is going to make you happy, so be it. Just do it!

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DrugReptoNurse said:
I'm preparing to resign from my six figure job on Thursday. Im a pharmaceutical sales rep that is just totally burned out on the job. I've always wanted to be a nurse and am finally about to take the leap of faith. Im applying to accelerated BSN programs that start in the summer/fall. To make sure I get into these I have to finish up some prereqs which start today. I also have to take over a couple of classes that I got C's in 20 years ago to make sure my GPA is at least a 3.5.

I've saved money, paid off all of my debt and have a financial plan in place to make it through the next 4 years....I plan on going to grad school to get my MSN.

Am I nuts to pursue a dream? My exgirlfriend broke up with me over this. She said I was too old to become a nurse. She also thought that it wasn't a very manly profession. You can probably see why she is now an ex ?

No you are not too old.

However, you could be nuts if you go back to pharmaceutical sales as a nurse after you graduate. Also you could be nuts if you make 6 figures again after nursing school by doing double shifts (16 hours) 7 days a week.

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Specializes in M/S, OB, Ortho, ICU, Diabetes, QA/PI.

I did 1 1/2 yrs as a drug rep between nursing jobs and I can tell you, for me, the increase in money sure didn't make up for the significant increase in BS.......

(I should have got combat pay for having to deal with my crazy DM - but please don't ask who I repped for - I'm trying to forget about her and them - I think I need some Versed........:rotfl: )

and sure, sometimes docs treat you like poo when you are a nurse but not as bad as they do when you're a rep....:uhoh21: :coollook: :uhoh21: :coollook: (I now work with docs that I used to call on and they are much nicer - one said to me "Glad to see you came back from the dark side!!")

money-wise, there is definitely the potential for six-figs in nursing.......

good luck to you!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in CVICU.
DrugReptoNurse said:
I'm preparing to resign from my six figure job on Thursday. Im a pharmaceutical sales rep that is just totally burned out on the job. I've always wanted to be a nurse and am finally about to take the leap of faith. Im applying to accelerated BSN programs that start in the summer/fall. To make sure I get into these I have to finish up some prereqs which start today. I also have to take over a couple of classes that I got C's in 20 years ago to make sure my GPA is at least a 3.5.

I've saved money, paid off all of my debt and have a financial plan in place to make it through the next 4 years....I plan on going to grad school to get my MSN.

Am I nuts to pursue a dream? My exgirlfriend broke up with me over this. She said I was too old to become a nurse. She also thought that it wasn't a very manly profession. You can probably see why she is now an ex ?

I am a much much happier as 2nd degree nursing student than I was as a sales rep :specs: Good luck!

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.

Hi Drugrep,

Now that you know you are definantly not too old to go into nursing could you tell me a little about your profession that you will be leaving. I have always been interested in becoming a drugrep myself.

What kind of training did you recieve?????? How did you get into that field????? What were your favorite things about your job and your least favorite things??????? How long did you have to wait around the dr.s office, and did you catch every virus known to man while sitting there. What were your hours????? I'm an LPN would that be to my advantage or disadvantage??????:clown: :clown: :clown: . I'm working toward my RN now, but would like to check into this while I'm doing it.

You are going to be a hit when you take pharmacology in nursing school:roll . You will be soooooo popular because you know your drugs back and forth right????? Did you go to seminars or how did you keep up and learn all the new drugs????? Hope to hear from you soon, and sorry about all the questions.:nurse:

DrugReptoNurse said:
I'm preparing to resign from my six figure job on Thursday. Im a pharmaceutical sales rep that is just totally burned out on the job. I've always wanted to be a nurse and am finally about to take the leap of faith. Im applying to accelerated BSN programs that start in the summer/fall. To make sure I get into these I have to finish up some prereqs which start today. I also have to take over a couple of classes that I got C's in 20 years ago to make sure my GPA is at least a 3.5.

I've saved money, paid off all of my debt and have a financial plan in place to make it through the next 4 years....I plan on going to grad school to get my MSN.

Am I nuts to pursue a dream? My exgirlfriend broke up with me over this. She said I was too old to become a nurse. She also thought that it wasn't a very manly profession. You can probably see why she is now an ex ?

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Go after what you dream of doing and don't worry about money! Money can't bring you personal satisfaction at the end of the day! I applaud you for making that big step to bring change into your life! Good luck!

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I think that if you want to be a nurse...then DO IT!! Don't let anyone deter you from your dream. Its your life!

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

You cannot put a price on job satisfaction and happiness.............Go for it, and good luck!

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Not a manly profession ? Obviuosly she has never seen a VA lock down psych unit on night shift during a full moon.

Not a manly profession ? After 27 years in the Navy, 3 tours in Vietnam, being in two aircraft crashes while on active duty and then starting nursing school at 47, my father said he would prefer being shot at then ever going to Nursing school again:chuckle

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I say go for it ... but I would make sure that nursing is what you really want to do.

What you think the job is ... and the reality of what the job is ... can be two very different things. When I started working as a student extern, it was a big wake up call. Nursing can be a very tough job. I certainly have a better understanding of why there's a nursing shortage.

On the other hand, you can always go back to being a pharm rep if you don't like other nursing jobs. Lots of RN's work for drug companies.

:typing

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Specializes in Peds ER.
DrugReptoNurse said:
I'm preparing to resign from my six figure job on Thursday. Im a pharmaceutical sales rep that is just totally burned out on the job. I've always wanted to be a nurse and am finally about to take the leap of faith. Im applying to accelerated BSN programs that start in the summer/fall. To make sure I get into these I have to finish up some prereqs which start today. I also have to take over a couple of classes that I got C's in 20 years ago to make sure my GPA is at least a 3.5.

I've saved money, paid off all of my debt and have a financial plan in place to make it through the next 4 years....I plan on going to grad school to get my MSN.

Am I nuts to pursue a dream? My exgirlfriend broke up with me over this. She said I was too old to become a nurse. She also thought that it wasn't a very manly profession. You can probably see why she is now an ex ?

Wahhhhh Hoooo!!! Hey we're all bozos on this bus! Crazy? absolutely insane is what you are :D so what there's a fine line between genius and insanity, right?

Are you kidding me? you are perfectly poised to do this. You've got your ducks in a row and you've paid your dues and you have the resources you need to pull it off! That's outstanding. Lord I hope you told that chick not to let the door hit her on the a** on the way out!

You know what, considering what you've written here you would be nuts NOT to pursue this dream! Go for it!!

PS. Julia Child was over fifty when she got known for what you know her for today. Too old.... BAH! you're never too old!!!!

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