Transitioning into nursing--help!! :(

[Jbug96]

I'm 30 years old and I have been a banker for the same company for 9 years now and I recently just graduated LPN school and got my license. I've always wanted to be a nurse. I applied for my employer 9 years ago thinking that it was only going to be a job while i get my nursing degree. Long story short, i got comfortable and here I am, 9 years later, still working for the bank. Don't get me wrong, they treat me well, good pay, good benefits, but it's really not what i want to do. I just got stuck because of the money. I guess my dilemma is, as excited as i am about starting my nursing career path, i am also TERRIFIED and nervous about leaving what i call my "comfort zone" which is my current job. It's been what i know for the past 9 years, steady income where i am can pretty much do the work in my sleep. Although i did have the proper training, i feel like i don't know anything and i am so scared to start! But i REALLY REALLY want to be a nurse. I guess what i wanna know, is for those of you that may have a similar situation like mine, how did your transition go? I understand i will have to start from the bottom since i have no healthcare experience whatsoever (my family are nurses but that doesn't count lol) and possibly may have to take a pay cut which is fine but yeah. I guess since i know what kind of pressure and stress i will have to go through as a rookie, it terrifies me... Any advise?

[Davey Do]

I can pretty much do the work in my sleep.

And someday, Nursing can be the same.

"You gotta pay your dues if you want to sing the blues and, you know, it don't come easy."

-Ringo

[Jbug96]

true!!! i do understand needing to go through real experience to really know what it's like but i've seen people wanting to quit only after a few months but i guess every person is different! fingers crossed!!! thank you so much!!!

[nursechomp]

I totally understand! The same thing happened to me. I worked as an lpn for 3 years. Moved out of state, kept my license current but worked at a software biz, then self employed. it has been 15 years since I nursed. I am taking an online lpn refresher course through napnes. It is intense, but I am getting my confidence back. I am almost through the book part and then have clinicals to do. Totally worth the investment.