I'm in such a dilemma... 4 years ago, when I was about to decide which majors I wanted to take in university (UC), I had two choices,they were political science and nursing. I chose political science with the intent to go into law school for environmental law. After two years in university, I decided that law school wasn't for me. I also got a minor in Environmental Systems by the way.
Fast forward 4 years to 2009. Whilie in university, I was working in the environmental field and still am right now. I now have 4 years experience working in the environmental/safety field. Working in a Navy installation (civilian contractor), making decent money ($50K-60K/yr range) and enjoying the single life.
Since last summer though, I made the decision to start taking all the pre-requisites to apply to nursing school. Not too toot my owh horn by I am doing pretty good too. All As except one B.
Now I'm in a dilemma deciding if I will continue with my pursuit of a nursing degree. I actually have it all planned out. I was thinking of applying to entry level master's program to 5 CSUs and two JCs as back up plans. I will be finished with all the prerequisites at 7 schools this fall.
Also, I will probably have enough money saved up to pay for half if not most of all the tuition needs of an ELMPs at the CSU level.
NOW IF YOU WERE ME, WOULD YOU PUSH WITH THIS PLAN IF YOU WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS I AM AFTER CONSIDERING ALL FACTORS SUCH AS ECONOMIC AND JOB OUTLOOK.
I think that you are missing something. Do you like you 9-5 job, M-F? Nursing at hospital is 12 hour shifts. The job is very physical and very demanding. I just got my LVN licence in December. have not yet finished my Pre-reqs for the LVN-RN courses. The RN field is competitive. If you have a decent job, I say make a career of it. If you are so motivated, look at your bosses job. :)
Thanks for the input guys. All your responses doesn't make my decision easier. For now though I will finish my pre-requisites and come fall, I will submit all my applications to 7 schools and then I will decide depending on a multitude of factors.
Also, I think I really want to be a nurse. I seem to have a "helping bone" in me. I remember how wonderful I felt when I helped older people when I was a customer service representative. I know the analogy may be a little askew but I guess I am willing to take the risk...
Also, I don't know if this is a clincher but I actually know a handful of people who are nurses or pt. I also know a couple of DON one of which is my gf's mother.
It can definitely be a tough decision on what you want to do. I had a similar dilemma a few years ago and I chose to pursue the nursing route. I have now been in my Med-Surg job for almost 10 months. I was making lots more money than I am now. I'm sure the money is different in different parts of the country but you have to work your way up from the bottom. If you are having the feeling that you want to go into nursing, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Once you get in, if you don't like it, then you have something to fall back on. I work with alot of people who are there to "just get a paycheck." I continually reassure them that there are other more lucrative jobs since that is there only motivation. The patients don't deserve someone who doesn't really want to be there and people can sense when people are aren't sincere and don't really care or have compassion.
I am glad your decision is made. It looks at all the pros and cons did help your decision.
I am also continuing on my goal to become a RN. The obstacles are many, but the decision is made. There are so many directions you can go when you are a nurse, including administration. I am looking toward the OR or pre/post OP. So good luck to us both.
If it was me, I would continue on your present course, but with some changes r/t the economy. For now, better to stay in the Navy, maybe two more years. Once you have completed your pre requisites, apply to a couple of schools near where you want to be after you matriculate out of the USN. Since it takes so long to get into school, take some general business courses, intro to business, basic accounting, that sort of thing. Re-enlist if you have to until things loosen up in the job market and above all, keep your present job in the Navy. According to an old sage (the Indian, or was it the construction worker or the cop, haha):
"Here can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
Again thanks for the insightful posts guys. To the other post on page 3, I'm a civilian and not enlisted in the navy.
I really like the post that I owe it to myself to go for it because eihter way, I will have something to fall back on with my experience in the environmental field.
With regards to the work hours, I think I can handle that easily. I was working 12 hour nights at a warehouse 2 weeks after my arrival in United States. I work hard and have always been commended in all the companies that I have worked for in my 11 years in the United States.
In terms of long term goal, well let's just say I might set up my own nursing care facility or even care for special children. Then there's my gf's architectural firm, a cake shop.... Hahaha... A lot of plans but one step at a time I guess.
I could have written the same query. I am a state employee in the NYS Court System with 11 years on the job. I work in a small court with 2 judges and only one other clerk, my supervisor. We are very overloaded with cases and it is always stressful. I am very lucky because we are not subject to layoffs, ever. 90 percent of my friends and family have lost their jobs this past year (including my husband). I make an excellent pay for my area (it is the second poorest in the state) and the benefits with a state job are excellent not to mention the health insurance is the best. And yes, people think I am crazy to even consider leaving. I wake up in the morning and I don't look forward to going to work and I do not get any sense of satisfaction from it either. But I am good at it and so I stay. I did come up with a life plan. I will finish my prereqs in the next three years part time and keep working. I also plan on putting away 1 year's worth of take home pay (35K) over the next three years in case I do not get a job right away. Even with that cushion, I still feel like leaving my job is similar to freefalling to Earth w/o a parachute, but staying till age 56 to retire seems so daunting and depressing. I think if Arkmann has a good life plan and puts aside some savings, you have atleast a decent chance at success. Good luck and keep us posting. Everyone loves a success story.:)
in the Navy. According to an old sage (the Indian, or was it the construction worker or the cop, haha): "Here can you find pleasure Search the world for treasure Learn science technology Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true On the land or on the sea here can you learn to fly Play in sports and skin dive y oceanography Sign of for the big band Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet In the navy Yes, you can sail the seven seas In the navy Yes, you can put your mind at ease In the navy! In the Navy!"
Lol... I've forgotten this song! The very first time I heard it, it was back in the 80's when I was a kid. Then I heard it a few times after (through the years); and the last time I heard it, it was when I was vacationing in London, England. The club there actually played THIS song (included in a mix, of course) -->> and this was in the '90's. Gotta love the Village People! Thank God for 'Disco' (wait, I guess I should be thanking Donna Summer instead :)), and I remember the bell bottom jeans (which came back in the '90's too!). Ahh, the '90's.... those were the days... :)
You're in a dilemma because there is a little voice inside of your head saying - don't do it, don't do it, don't do it...
Would you still be interested if the salaries went down? Well, along with this supply and demand problem we are having, it has also resulted in no raises, lower entry salaries, and pay cuts (being forced to stay home and use your leave time because they don't need you to work that day). I'd look at the economic outlook for nurses in your area really seriously before you invest your time...
I'd look at the economic outlook for nurses in your area really seriously before you invest your time...
lt93726
5 Posts
I think that you are missing something. Do you like you 9-5 job, M-F? Nursing at hospital is 12 hour shifts. The job is very physical and very demanding. I just got my LVN licence in December. have not yet finished my Pre-reqs for the LVN-RN courses. The RN field is competitive. If you have a decent job, I say make a career of it. If you are so motivated, look at your bosses job. :)
Good luck with your decision.