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

[DrugReptoNurse]

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 :)

[Johari]

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 did the same thing in December of 2004. Began an accelerated Nursing Degree Jan of 2005 done by Dec of 2005, begin my new job in the ICU on Monday Jan 30th and sit for my boards on Feb 7th. I worked in PR and IR for a biotech company and was increasingly unhappy. I think I made a good decision for me and money is not always the decisive factor. I wasn't quite 6figure yet but 10K shy of that. Everyone thought I was crazy but I'm glad I did it. I had the same course of action airtight financial plan etc... Good Luck and follow your heart. The program is tough and there'll be times when you question your sanity but since you are stretching it over four years it many not be so bad. All the best with your studies!

Johari:wink2:

[Ado Annie, ASN, RN]

I don't make 6 figures, but my salary is still pretty good, and I'm thinking about it. (age 43)

Not sure how to make it work. My husband is an at-home dad at present with a home business that ..uh.. isn't exactly lucrative. So the bills and the benefits are all on my shoulders. How, exactly, do I go to school full time? Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an evening nurse program anywhere near by, if they exist at all. How do I pay the (sizeable) mortgage if I'm not working full time? And what about health insurance? My kids will graduate from high school in a few years. Do I wait until then (age 50?) to start nursing school? Insist hubby go back to work (he's never made more than about half what I am making, even when he worked full time).

When I look at the accelerated BSN programs, they have more prerequisites than the local college. My biggest hangup there is chemistry. I had one "General Chemistry for Engineers" class many years ago, and just can't face being required to take 8-12 hours of chemistry (organic, pchem, whatever) as a prereq. I can be ready for the local school after one more humanities class, A&P, and Microbiology.

Not really asking for answers, but if you have any ideas, I'll listen!

[bsugaRN2b]

Young or old, a nurse is a nurse, is a nurse...and I'm sure most of the girls won't mind a guy nurse on the unit...

As for if you're crazy, definitely not - you've got a dream, so go for it! Heck, I admire you, leaving a six-figure job to do it too, you've got high praise from me for doing it! Good luck in school, and all the best to you!

~Adria

[ibella]

Hey there,

I have a dream just like yours, however- consider yourself lucky- having money saved up for school makes things a little easier....My biggest problem is weather I'd be able to survive financially while I go to school....if it was just me I'd go for it in a minute, but once you have a family....Anyway- FOLLOW YOUR DREAM- you already know that it's not money that makes one happy!!!!!

[floridanursemom239]

Hi there. Yes, life is very very short to be unhappy. Good luck to you and I think you have a lot of guts to do that. Don't worry, its just money and I think that the reward that you get from nursing will be worth soooooo much more.

[laurawho7]

Sounds like you are perfectly sane. You have your bills paid off, money saved and are ready to make the right choice for you. Sorry about your girlfriend, but it seems like she maybe interested in your paycheck, not your happiness. I'm sure you'll find someone who supports you no matter what you do and how much you make! Congrats on your decision to follow your heart and not the paycheck!

[Carebear77]

I applaud you for following your dreams. I also quit my job (last year) to go back to school for nursing. As you said you quit a 6 figure job that you were not satisfied with, so money is not everything, you have to love what you do or it is not worth it. I'm sorry that your ex-girlfriend broke up with you over donig this; but if she cannot support you in everything then she is not worth being with. No one is ever to old to go back to school, it is never to late, your not even that old..even if you were 80, I would think it was awesome to follow your dreams. Good luck in everything, you seem to know what you want and have done well by paying off all your bills and getting stable before making the jump. You will do fine. BTW, they need male nurses just as much as females. (males can do alot more lifting than a female)

Good luck!

[suzanne4, RN]

Quote

DrugRepto Nurse:

Go for it! Nursing offers so much it is sure to cure what ails you--which, at this time seems to be a soul searching for something a little more substantial than whatever material luxuries your current salary can buy. As someone who also left a six-figure career as an investment banker to pursue nursing (back in 2004), I can tell you that it has been worth it to-date. It wasn't without pain and a lot of crying and hand-wringing over whether I did the right thing. It took me about a year to get over it and settle into the new routine of nursing school. I deeply missed the people I used to work with and I did miss the money, the nice hotels and all the fluff related to my former career. However, at 37 years old, I realized I wanted more--not necessarily financially, but something deeper and nursing seemed to offer it in spades. I don't regret my decision.

Even at our age, nursing offers so much--something for everyone. I currently work as a monitor tech on a 32-bed cardiac unit (per diem) and a critical care tech in an emergency room part-time for $10.60 per hour, but I love the action, I love learning and I love being part of a team working collaboratively to save lives ? as corny as that sounds. I choose to contribute my experience and skills that cross-over from investment banking (ie great judgment, analysis, decision making, people-reading etc.) to that of critical care nursing. My short term goal is to get hired at a Level I/II trauma ICU or ER and my long-term goal is to become a CRNA (probably start school after a few years ICU experience). You might even want to consider this route with your pharm background.

Anyway, you sound very focused and determined. Trust what your gut is telling you--you are in for a world of opportunity, possibilities and adventure--just what you seem to be looking for. I think you will be very happy with what you find. Good luck and stay in touch with allnurses. It's a very supportive network. Regards,

Toby's Mum:

Hopefully you will get this. Tried to respond to your pm, but your box is full. Please let me know when you empty it or send me another way to contact you.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Are you nuts?

Yes. But in a good way.

[Raymond CA]

Despite the perks, I can understand why a drug sales rep would get frustrated and sick of his job. I also left a decent salary as an engineer and consultant to go for nursing. I worked as a medical assistant for a doctor in the meantime and got a lot of fawning treatment from drug sales reps who would regularly pay for our lunches, plus give us Christmas gifts.

The question has gotta be---do you want to be the guy always on the outside looking through the window, or do you want to directly treat and help patients?

If you work overtime as a nurse here in the Bay Area, with enough experience you CAN make 6 figures (I have a friend who does so). In terms of high income, you may also be a CRNA (my goal), legal nurse consultant, or funnel your nursing background into health care administration or helping a biotech/drug company in some advanced capacity. And how about becoming a nursing professor, after getting an MSN?

From my ER volunteer experience, I realize that ex-salespeople make great personalities for dealing with patients. I'm an extrovert and never fit, psychologically, into engineering. I was always hungry to be on the other side, with our customers.

I agree, the salary drop may be an eye-opener at first, but for a creative guy like you, I'm sure you can find opportunities in nursing that satisfy BOTH your heart and your wallet.

[lannisz]

I went to nursing school when I was 37 years old. It was something I had always wanted to do, but had taken a "detour" in my life - had three children, a career as a social worker... when my marriage ended, I took the leap. Even as a single Mom , I knew if I didn't do it then I never would.

That was 2001. I have never been happier. I now have my BSN and am in grad school working on my Family Nurse Practitioner/MSN. Was I surprised at how stressful nursing can be? Yes. Am I sorry I became a Nurse? NO! I am where I was meant to be all along. Good Luck to all of you pursuing your dream!!!

[c_loveya]

I also left a stable, decent paying job to go into nursing so don't feel alone! Congrats to you for following your dreams and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it. Anyone who does isn't worth your time.

Welcome to Nursing! :balloons:

- C