Time for a change........

jmgrn65, RN · May 24, 2007

:balloons: :hbsmiley:

I am just concerned that if you didn't renew your license what if later on you find something you want to do that requires your nursing license how hard would it be to get it back? just a thought.

longtime nrs · May 24, 2007

I know what you mean, and thank you very much for your reply, and your concern. But, you do understand what I mean, don't you? I just don't think I'll ever have the enthusiasm for nursing that I use to have. I think I am just tired, and really don't want to work anywhere, doing anything anymore. I have always wanted to stay home, but never could because I always had to work for a living. I am recently re-married, and don't want to do anything except take care of my husband and my house for a change. There are lots of things out there that I have always wanted to try, but never did. There are lots of jobs, if I wanted one, that I think would be lots of fun if I just tried them. Know what I mean. And besides, I know lot of people who have dropped out of nursing to do other things. I know it sounds stupid, but I gotta try other things at this point in my life. Thank you so much for the ear, and the response !!!!!!! I look forward to talking to you again, you seem very nice and understanding !!

:balloons: :hbsmiley:
I am just concerned that if you didn't renew your license what if later on you find something you want to do that requires your nursing license how hard would it be to get it back? just a thought.

Trauma Columnist · May 24, 2007

I am nearing 50 also and not so sure I made the correct second career choice either. However, giving up your nursing license is a big step. What about letting it go inactive if your state allows? That way, you CAN reactive it later if necessary. This sounds morbid and I sincerely don't want to offend but women live longer than men and if you married a man your age or older you may be faced with supporting yourself again.

longtime nrs · May 24, 2007

You mean nursing is your second carreer choice? Man, good for you because nursing is a very stressful carreer. Takes a lot out of you !! I might consider inactive status, hadn't thought of that before, thanks !! Wonder if your license are inactive if you still have to keep up with the credits each year, that's a pain to me. I know it sounds like I'm just lazy, but that's how I feel about it......Thanks again !! You have been helpful !!...PS... Are you male, or female? Are you an RN?

I am nearing 50 also and not so sure I made the correct second career choice either. However, giving up your nursing license is a big step. What about letting it go inactive if your state allows? That way, you CAN reactive it later if necessary. This sounds morbid and I sincerely don't want to offend but women live longer than men and if you married a man your age or older you may be faced with supporting yourself again.

Trauma Columnist · May 24, 2007

I'm female, and yes nursing is a second career - I did broadcast journalism while I was in the Navy and then for another few years after I got out. I became an LPN at 34 and an RN at 36. I'm now an advanced practice nurse because I went back to school at 42 to get my BSN, MSN and post-MSN adult health CNS.

Am not sure about the CEUs if your license is inactive - would check with your state board on that one.

longtime nrs · May 24, 2007

I admire you for all your efforts. You sound like a very active lady !! And a good getter too !! I am an LPN. I should have gone back to school a long time ago for my RN license, but didn't for one reason or another. I will check with the Kentucky state board of nursing about the credits. I just moved here about a year ago. So, I don';t know about the state requirements here. Moved here from Arkansas. Am originally from Louisiana. Very nice talking to you !!! Keep up the good work !!!

I'm female, and yes nursing is a second career - I did broadcast journalism while I was in the Navy and then for another few years after I got out. I became an LPN at 34 and an RN at 36. I'm now an advanced practice nurse because I went back to school at 42 to get my BSN, MSN and post-MSN adult health CNS.
Am not sure about the CEUs if your license is inactive - would check with your state board on that one.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · May 24, 2007

I know what you mean, and thank you very much for your reply, and your concern. But, you do understand what I mean, don't you? I just don't think I'll ever have the enthusiasm for nursing that I use to have. I think I am just tired, and really don't want to work anywhere, doing anything anymore. I have always wanted to stay home, but never could because I always had to work for a living. I am recently re-married, and don't want to do anything except take care of my husband and my house for a change. There are lots of things out there that I have always wanted to try, but never did. There are lots of jobs, if I wanted one, that I think would be lots of fun if I just tried them. Know what I mean. And besides, I know lot of people who have dropped out of nursing to do other things. I know it sounds stupid, but I gotta try other things at this point in my life. Thank you so much for the ear, and the response !!!!!!! I look forward to talking to you again, you seem very nice and understanding !!

Honey, you are like me and a lot of the other "Boomers" out there (I'm 55 and will be turning 56 two weeks from today)--just plain tired and fed up with this industry as a whole. I've tried to find something outside of nursing without any luck, including a job as a writer for a company who compiles educational pamphlets. I've even tried to get a job as a cashier at Wal-Mart. Sorry, not interested. You are lucky that you have come to a point in your life where you have the time as well as the resources to make a decision as to what you want to be doing for the remainder of your working life...outside of nursing. I wish I did.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 24, 2007

Best wishes to you in all that you do!

TrudyRN · May 24, 2007

DO NOT GIVE UP THAT LICENSE. We never know what tomorrow may bring and you might find you need to work as a nurse. I wish you every happiness but think you are a little off balance due to all the excitement of having just married, moved, etc. and should not make a huge decision to throw away your career at this time. God forbid but your new spouse could become ill, the money could all disappear, just a million things can go wrong. Sorry to say these negative things. I know they are not what you want to hear. But I believe you should be cautious and sensible. Unless ou are totally, totally wealthy and totally secure that that condition will never end and how many of us can REALLY say that? In life, we are usually up one day and down the next. Yeah, we can often get back up but why chance it?

Get an inactive license if need be monetarily, but DO NOT GIVE UP THAT LICENSE. It's your bread and butter, your insurance policy. Take a leave of absence and stay home for a while if you are sick of Nursing, but do not throw Nursing away completely.

Yes, there are lots of other jobs available but few of them pay as well as Nursing. I would enjoy working as a receptionist or a hotel desk clerk but can't afford to do so. I have thought to open my own business - florist, day care, motel, wedding planner, lots of ideas - but just haven't got the internal ummph to do it. Maybe you do and I wish you well but I still think you will regret it if you ever totally throw away your Nursing.

Congrats and best wishes.

longtime nrs · May 24, 2007

Thank you for the response to my thread. You are exactly right about me. You figured me out in just one post. Tired I am, of nursing. There has got to be something else out there for me to do with myself when and if I choose to. You mean that Wal-Mart turned you down?? Well, that is their loss I'm sure. My new hubby doesn't make lots of money, but we get by pretty good. He doesn't want me to work, and I sure am glad for him. I was married to a man before that insisted I work. I am sick of working, and don't intend to unless absolutely necessary. Especially in nursing. I worked in several fields of nursing over the years, the last for doctors in thier offices and clinics. They depended so much on me til I might as well have been seeing the patients myself. I did all of one of the docs paper work for him. Half the time he didn't know what came through that office. Too much stress for me now, nerves are bad. LoL...... If I can just make it to 62, if there is any money left then. LOl..........

Honey, you are like me and a lot of the other "Boomers" out there (I'm 55 and will be turning 56 two weeks from today)--just plain tired and fed up with this industry as a whole. I've tried to find something outside of nursing without any luck, including a job as a writer for a company who compiles educational pamphlets. I've even tried to get a job as a cashier at Wal-Mart. Sorry, not interested. You are lucky that you have come to a point in your life where you have the time as well as the resources to make a decision as to what you want to be doing for the remainder of your working life...outside of nursing. I wish I did.

futurecnm · May 24, 2007

I would say to keep your license if at all possible, like others said you never know what may come up in the future and you may be glad you kept it. There are some non-bedside type jobs that still may require a license and you would kick yourself if you needed it later. you worked hard for that, and should try to keep it if you can!!! I am a student now, so no experience as a long term nurse but I have a professional engineering license that I intend to keep forever. I may need it if I decide not to do nursing or if I want to somehow combine the 2 fields of work. I have not used my engineering license for about 5 years now and it costs money to maintain as well as education credits but it is worth it to have that safety net if ever needed. I would think the same would go for a nursing license. You may not want to work as a nurse anymore but someday you might need it.