I'm 26 and for the last year and a half, have been considering a career change to nursing. Two year ago we moved back to my wife's home area in CT, where we currently live with our 5 month old daughter. My wife doesn't want to move out of the area as it will be away from her family, and she'll have to find a new job. So we are geographically restricting ourselves. I just graduated with my Masters of Divinity and was going to be a minister, except that it is hard to find a church in this small state. I can't say that I have been the happiest in this profession. I somewhat wish I could be giving more care than emotional and spiritual suppot. I've previously done a lot of work in hospitals as an aide, and also as a Chaplain. Hence I've considered a nursing degree.
I was accepted into an ADN program, but my wife is not found of the idea. I know it will require some more student loans and some nights away from the family. The question is what to do? It is possible I could defer my enrollment for a year, but I don't want to lose this opportunity. I wondering how I can make her see the light. She's a social worker and knows most hospitals in the area are on hiring freezes.
How did your spouse or SO take the news of becoming a nurse? Any advice you could give is greatly appreciated.
Does she work at all, and if she does how much does she contribute to the bottom line? Sacrifices need to be made if she wants to live in CT, from what I can remember is either very expensive to live in, or very poor. I applaud your original career, but ministers and the like are not known for their wealth.
Do you think that she may feel threatened by your change in careers? Possibly because she wanted to marry a minister, and not a nurse? Are the women that you are surrounded with going to be an issue for her?
You have the option to go into a career field with great growth potential and great income, and job stability, with loans that can be forgiven under the right circumstance.
Put it all down on paper for her to help her understand the financials, and if that does not sway her in the least, I hate to say there may be another issue going on altogether.
Student loans are cheap money and the interest is tax deductable (just don't go to a 20K/year college when a 5K/year can give you the same ed) and even though new grads have it a bit rough getting a job w/ the recession you usually can find one w/o moving. There are 2nd degree nursing programs that are 3 semesters long, I went to one.
PacoUSA, BSN, RN
3,450 Posts
I'm glad to see there is an example of someone who went on to nursing school despite opposition. That's the way it should be.