What made you quit your job and go into Nursing?

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 13, 2009

I had just had my twins and my oldest was 14 months older than her, the job I had previously was only paying $10 an hour and I hated the job. So I told my dh either we suck it up and finally get me into nursing school which was my dream job, or I become a stay at home mom cause there was no way we would have been able to afford day care.

Got into my GI Bill, Pell Grant, government subsidies for day care, WIC for help with groceries, and we made it through. I still remember looking through the sofa for extra change to buy diapers right before school started some days. Would do it all over again.

It was definatly the best decision I ever made, it was hard but have never regretted it.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

I hated my job and could not take it anymore. One day I just quit. We did not think we could survive on just my husband's salary, but we made adjustments and managed quite well. I had been taking the pre reqs part time in the evenings. The next semester I started taking them full time then started NS about a year later. Now that I am working, most of my salary goes to paying off debt (with a little set aside for fun stuff), since we got so good at living on his income. It does not hurt that he makes a very nice living, though.

sunray12 · Feb 13, 2009

I'm not quitting - I'm transitioning. :) Right now I work ft and sake prereqs full time. I was in my advisor's office yesterday and she had a chart which recommends the appropriate class load based on how many hours/week you work. I thought it was funny coz according to that chart I'm way over my limit - but I manage.

I'm applying to 2 year programs and will probably be a ft student and live off savings and student loans for the first year. Then I plan to get a job as a patient care tech and that will help me get through the rest of school. I'm very excited at the prospect of being a RN and having a new career (getting that license will be like Christmas to the nth) - so to me it will definitely be worth it.

mpski · Feb 13, 2009

i haven’t quit yet but in about 12 to 15 months i will hopefully be out. i'm working on prerecs now and will apply for a program in late 09.

what is going to make me quit my job is my personal desire to help others and try to leave a positive impact on the world. and i find the human body and experience totally fascinating.

because this sounds so idealistic and cliche'ed, i did not come by the decision lightly. it has taken me personally about 2 years of soul searching, job shadowing, talking to career councilors, and talking with nursing students and professionals to decide that this is most like one of the best career paths for my interests and what drives me.

leaving a lucrative career may be somewhat tough at first but if the job leaves you hollow and unhappy, and is clearly only a means-to-an-end then it’s time for a major change.

hope this is somewhat helpful.

Dalzac, LPN, LVN, RN · Feb 13, 2009

In 1975 I wanted more job stability and insurance. That was the only reason at first. Wow did that change! I used to be a bartender in a neighborhood bar. I had this couple that came in every Friday or Saturday and they would always come in very late after going out to other things, for nightcaps. They always tipped good and were a very nice older couple. One night I had a terrible night I had several really bad drunks that I had to call the police on. and my friends asked if I could have breakfast with them and I said sure. While we were at breakfast I mentioned I was sick of tending bar and wished I had a nice stable job with insurance for me and the kids(3). She asked me if I had ever worked in a hospital with patients. Then she asked me if I wanted to work with her. She was the director of an ICU and could teach me VS and how to run an ekg. I said okie dokie. I filled out an application and gave it to her We then tore it up because all it had on it were bar jobs and convience store jobs on it and did another one lying thru my teeth about hospital jobs. Since she was the only one that would be looking at it.

Long story short I fell in love with the work, the patients, everything about it. I loved going to work every day. One day she came up to me and told me she wanted me to quit and go to work at a bigger hospital because I had learned everything she could teach me. A friend of hers at this other hospital told her about an opening for something called A CCU tech. that would work in the CCU and as an asst on thier mobile CCU ambulance. I grabbed it and fell in love again. From there there was nursing school and a wonderful career in CCU , ICU, and ER.. I have recently retired d/t medical reasons and I miss nursing soooooo much. I dream about it all the time. and would do anything to get back in it. But I can't.

FLmomof5 · Feb 14, 2009

Studied EE because my father insisted. Did AFROTC because that was my dream. Gotta love dems.....RIF'd the lot of us. (Reduction In Force) My dream ended that day. Stayed in Satellite Operations but hated it. Looked great on a resume, but I was BORED!

During divorce employer and I decided on termination being in both our best interest. (Divorce was severely affecting my job.) HE was more upset than I. I told him that he was doing me a favor...hated Sat Ops and here was an oppty to change!

Started programming mainframe computers and I was in HEAVEN!!! So after 17 yrs being laid off every 2 or 3....I am burned out. I have thought about medicine through the years. Mom/sis/bro are nurses. I decided it was time for plan B.....the next time I got laid off I would be a NURSE!.....of course that didn't happen. Laid off 2 weeks ago today. I am done with pre-reqs and look to start NS in May.

Good news though.....even in this horrible economy it looks like I may start my last programming job in March and will continue to work until I get my RN. :yeah:

LovesGreyhounds · Feb 14, 2009

This is a great post! I'm not into actual nursing school yet but have been chipping away at my pre-reqs for a few years. Something inside of me just burst into sunlight is all I can describe it - is why I'm going to leave a very good position for nursing. I am currently an administrative assistant to a president at a large hospital. I have always been envious when I asked people what they do & they reply "nursing." Then, one day a few summers ago I ran into a friend about my age & she said she just started college for nursing. It got me thinking that I'm not too old & it just struck me like a lightening bolt that I wanted to do it & I got so excited. I just feel like I've been meant to do nursing forever but never got around to it - So, now I am.

Price 2002 · Feb 14, 2009

This might sound a little out there. But while my DH was in his EMT course one of his instructors told him that many firemen/emts he knew were married to nurses. He said that they understood each others job stresses, odd hours, etc. I thought well I hate my job, I was totally overworked and underpaid and burnt out. I can do that! I had thought of being a nurse before but thought that it was too hard and I was not smart enough even though I had done excellent in school. So I told my DH that was what I wanted to do. So I found a LTC that was offering a STNA course. It was about 6 weeks away. So I took a leave of absence for personal reasons from my current job and enjoyed 6 weeks off with pay then started the 10 day paid STNA course. I loved it. Before the course was over I signed up at the closest nursing school I could find which happened to be one exit up the highway from where I live. It was a 15 month Practical Nursing course with IV Therapy Cert. I am proud to say that I graduated Oct 1st, 2008...finally sat for boards Dec 16th 2008 and found out I passed on the 17th. I am currently working full time at one LTC and part time at a local County Juvenile Detention Center. It was totally worth it. I only work PRN as a STNA while I was in school but I would do it all over again!

Lovelymo79 · Feb 14, 2009

I haven't quit yet but I am SO looking forward to when I do! I presently work full-time while working my way through my pre-reqs. I've applied to 2 nursing schools..one I have been accepted to and the other..I just took the NET for it.

Why am I leaving my corporate, decent-paying job..because I'm BORED TO TEARS! I wanted to go into nursing in 2004..but decided that I should get into corporate America..that's why I got my first BA for, right?

Well, now I'm finally doing what I've wanted to do for the past 5 years and I can't WAIT!!

Love2Live · Feb 14, 2009

I worked at a hospital for awhile in the supply dept. and I got a small glimpse of what nurses did. After that my goal was to become a nurse, but it was never the right time. I worried about how I would support myself. 3 years later I still hadn't gone back to school but it was heavy on my mind. I worked at a factory at this point and one day I just felt sick (lightheaded and nauseated), so I ask my supervisor if I could take my lunch early. I had no intentions of leaving when I got in the car, but something told me to just drive away and I DID! After I left I felt 100% better. I never went back and I had no idea how me and my SO would pay the bills, but it worked out. It's the best thing I've ever done. I'll be graduating this May! :yeah: