Unsure if I should continue with my nursing career

[coffeecup, LPN]

Hello! I'm new here, so hopefully I'm putting this under the correct section ?

So, I've been an LPN since 2016. I currently work in a doctor's office setting, treating pain management patients. I have the opportunity to further my degree through an LPN to BSN program, with minimal tuition reimbursement. I'm unsure if I want to do this, however. I want to go back to school, but something is holding me back. I'm unsure if nursing is the right path for me, and I'm scared to make the wrong decision and waste money. Maybe I should pursue another interest (ie. writing, education, nutrition)? Or maybe I just haven't found my nursing niche yet? I went into nursing because it was a good way to fast track myself into a career, and out of years of minimum wage retail jobs. And although there are aspects of nursing that I enjoy, when I hear fellow nurses reasons as to why they became a nurse, I feel like I don't belong. It's like most people have had this epiphany, or a desire since childhood to become nurses. Which is awesome, but I've never had that experience.

My family and fiancé are all super supportive of whatever decision I make. I'm 28, getting married, and I want to start a family at some point. I feel like I've missed the boat of figuring out my career goals (aren't I supposed to have my life together by this point? lol).

So, fellow nurses, what's your opinion? Lord knows I need some good, solid advice lol.

[Xance]

Many people are drawn to the field for a 'higher calling', but do not think only those can gain entry into the field. In fact many RN's I meet like to spout off those common things that you mentioned, and yet when talking about another position it always comes down to money. Nursing is an excellently paid field, and you have relevant experience to draw upon and expand. The whole idea of 'doing what you love so it won't be considered work' is fine and all, but usually unattainable and unrealistic. Do what you are good at and can see yourself doing for a long time and you will be fine. I suggest you look into different RN types, as there are far more things you can do as an RN than simply bedside. Outpatient stuff like your own pain management clinic would be an obvious choice of using your RN experience as your new license and past experience would be quite valuable, and it would be quite familiar to you with an added bonus of higher salary.

In the end it's your life and do what you can tolerate doing. If you can truly find your passion for something like you said (writing, education, etc) then go for that, but you can do those same types of things in nursing too so don't discount that. Most LPN to BSN programs aren't too costly either, far less than many typical bachelor degrees. So if you truly dislike the field on nursing it won't be too difficult to transition out into another field. RN's even have some parts of it merged with computers and IT type work now (informatics RN). So it's an excellent idea to continue to your BSN because you will become exposed to many other types of nursing that may in fact interest you that you may not have heard about before.

[Oldmahubbard]

The competition in writing, education, and nutrition is tougher than you can probably imagine. Then add in low pay.

I had the epiphany at the MSN level, but I became an RN to pay my bills, as did most of my classmates 30 years ago.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Never go into writing expecting to make a living at it. Lots of people can and do write; very very VERY few can support themselves completely doing so.

Nutrition is a super tough course of study. If you have a passion for it and enjoy heavy science based classes, go for it - but it too is one of those careers where a lot of study is required for not a very big paycheck at the end all considered.

A career is not supposed to fuel a passion. If it does, great. You won the lottery. But for most people what they do for work is what they are qualified to do for the amount of money they can get selling that skill set for. Work is you selling your time. As far as an income to education ratio goes, nursing remains one of the best in the United States. If you hate it, that's one thing. But to quit it just because it doesn't light your inner fire is a bit foolish in my opinion. Find charity work or a hobby to feed that need and keep making good money.

Most of us do find that there is a feeling of doing good for fellow humanity in our work. It speaks to our inner nobility. But if you don't get that, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing it.