To all those corporate career changers - pls help!

[Sunning]

I'm hoping to get some feedback from any you wonderful nurses who changed your career from corporate America. I had quit my corporate marketing position about a year ago to start going to RN school. I came to find that it wasn't the best idea. Besides having the pleasure of helping people and making a true impact on society, what drew me to nursing was quite honestly the long-term stablity of it. I came from a marketing department that has all these young hot things. I grew concerned because I like everyone, am getting older and just didn't see 50 & 60 year old women in my line of work. I really am considering going back to corporate marketing because I've been so miserable. School is tolerable, but nursing as a profession, clincal setting at least , is just not for me. I enjoy corporate marketing but don't see long term career in it. Thank you all for listening.:redbeathe

[MeggyMe]

I made the career change from corporate America to nursing and regret it now. I have been working for 1year as rn. I actually miss the 9-5 world, having my weekends and seeing my family at night. I miss working at a desk and being able to go to lunch or bathroom whenever I want. Sounds silly but I miss it. I'm looking to get back to first career.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I completely understand and empathize with your situation. Anyone who is lured into switching to the 'greener grass' of Nursing from another career field needs to remember two adages:

"If you think something is too good to be true, it probably is" and

"Salary is always based on the minimum it takes to get someone to do the job"

Nursing may look good to 'civilians', but the job comes with a cost that is usually not apparent to outsiders. I certainly am not physically capable of 12 hour shifts in bedside nursing anymore. Luckily, I have moved into a practice area that accomodates my ever-increasing decrepitude - LOL.

I would advise the OP to cut bait - don't invest any more time or money in something that is not working. There are other types of healthcare jobs that don't exact such a toll. Have you looked into HIM or one of the ancillary professions? I have a (50-something) friend who became a COTA two years ago -- she loves it.

[CoffeePlease]

I am switching careers from corporate world to nursing but I really feel like I have made the right choice. Well, it felt right all the way through school. Now, as a 41 year old new grad LVN, I am concerned that I won't get a job. I have found that having some history of working has made school and clinicals go more smoothly. I hope I find a specialty that interests me and a job that works for me. There is so much variety, that I'm sure that something will work out.

[danceluver]

I know this thread is old...but how many have shifted out of nursing into corporate america successfully? What sort of jobs were you able to get into or did you need to start at the entry level again?