Mid Life Career Change?

[*Anya*]

Everything Always2late stated about nursing being difficult, working holidays and nights as a new RN is true. I have wrestled with assaultive patients and was once punched in the eye, breaking my glasses by a mentally challenged young woman. However, if you can get through that very hard first year or two; the world of nursing opens up and gives you many more choices.

What is also true is that I have had many excellent opportunities as a career RN.

I have supported my children, on my own, as a nurse. I have worked in hospitals, first on med-surg on the PM shift, then in home health. I have been a charge nurse, nurse manager and now, in this last stage of my career, I work for an insurance company. I no longer work crazy shifts, have to work holidays, weekends or get assaulted.

To me, there are not a lot of careers than can give you first, second and third act careers; all within the same license and degree.

I feel very blessed that I stuck it out when it was at its most difficult because now I can look back on the last 31 years of my nursing career with satisfaction, pride and joy! I am so glad that I became a nurse.

Girllikeu2, go for it if that if that is what you want to do! I have never regretted being a nurse. Ever. No matter the capacity in which you work, you are helping patients in their lowest moment, time when reaching out a hand can mean everything to a person losing hope in life. What a gift to be able to give another.

[always2late]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Everything Always2late stated about nursing being difficult, working holidays and nights as a new RN is true. I have wrestled with assaultive patients and was once punched in the eye, breaking my glasses by a mentally challenged young woman. However, if you can get through that very hard first year or two; the world of nursing opens up and gives you many more choices.

What is also true is that I have had many excellent opportunities as a career RN.

I have supported my children, on my own, as a nurse. I have worked in hospitals, first on med-surg on the PM shift, then in home health. I have been a charge nurse, nurse manager and now, in this last stage of my career, I work for an insurance company. I no longer work crazy shifts, have to work holidays, weekends or get assaulted.

To me, there are not a lot of careers than can give you first, second and third act careers; all within the same license and degree.

I feel very blessed that I stuck it out when it was at its most difficult because now I can look back on the last 31 years of my nursing career with satisfaction, pride and joy! I am so glad that I became a nurse.

Girllikeu2, go for it if that if that is what you want to do! I have never regretted being a nurse. Ever. No matter the capacity in which you work, you are helping patients in their lowest moment, time when reaching out a hand can mean everything to a person losing hope in life. What a gift to be able to give another.

After I considered what I wrote I realized that I painted a pretty bleak picture. What Anya said is true. Nursing CAN be very rewarding (I wouldn't have been a nurse this long if it wasn't). I just wanted to give you something to think about. I have worked with many nurses who were right out of school...they went into nursing because of the job security but didn't give much thought to what the actual job would be like. A few of them actually quit the same day they were hired. Nursing, as a whole, is a stable, secure career with many opportunities.....but it isn't easy. I guess I'm playing devil's advocate....and telling you what could be considered the "down side" of nursing. Because you are thinking of changing your career, which would entail going back to school...I just want you to have a full picture before you make a decision.

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by always2late

After I considered what I wrote I realized that I painted a pretty bleak picture. What Anya said is true. Nursing CAN be very rewarding (I wouldn't have been a nurse this long if it wasn't). I just wanted to give you something to think about. I have worked with many nurses who were right out of school...they went into nursing because of the job security but didn't give much thought to what the actual job would be like. A few of them actually quit the same day they were hired. Nursing, as a whole, is a stable, secure career with many opportunities.....but it isn't easy. I guess I'm playing devil's advocate....and telling you what could be considered the "down side" of nursing. Because you are thinking of changing your career, which would entail going back to school...I just want you to have a full picture before you make a decision.

(((Hugs, Always))))

Yes, not easy at all. Full picture of the realities is critically important.

[Martina]

Have you thought about Speech-Language Pathology? Those programs are hard to get into, and if you are coming without a BA in the subject, it is three years of hard work to finish the Master's. If I were a little younger, I would consider it. There are never enough Speech and Language folks around, and you don't have to work directly for a school district or health care facility. You can work for agencies and pick and choose your assignments (or not).

You're still helping kids, but you are out of the classroom and not under the thumb of moronic administrators in the same way. Plus the pay is better.

[girllikeu2]

Originally Posted by Martina

Have you thought about Speech-Language Pathology? Those programs are hard to get into, and if you are coming without a BA in the subject, it is three years of hard work to finish the Master's. If I were a little younger, I would consider it. There are never enough Speech and Language folks around, and you don't have to work directly for a school district or health care facility. You can work for agencies and pick and choose your assignments (or not).

You're still helping kids, but you are out of the classroom and not under the thumb of moronic administrators in the same way. Plus the pay is better.

LOL Martina... not ST but I am also pondering OT as a potential (in my area of teaching I do more OT interventions than anything), but like ST the programs are EXTREMELY competitive and I don't want to apply and reapply for years. I might give it a try though.

[DapperButch]

Hey, girlikeu2, I didn't ask before b/c it felt rude, but it really is important to any advice people may give you. How old are you (for some reasons I am thinking you are in your 30's)? How many years have you already put in the school system? Do you have any kids? Are you in a relationship where you could go to school full time in order to knock out your education quickly?

I think the above is important in decision making around this.

Cost/benefit analysis.

[girllikeu2]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hey, girlikeu2, I didn't ask before b/c it felt rude, but it really is important to any advice people may give you. How old are you (for some reasons I am thinking you are in your 30's)? How many years have you already put in the school system? Do you have any kids? Are you in a relationship where you could go to school full time in order to knock out your education quickly?

I think the above is important in decision making around this.

Cost/benefit analysis.

check yer reps!

[Martina]

Originally Posted by girllikeu2

LOL Martina... not ST but I am also pondering OT as a potential (in my area of teaching I do more OT interventions than anything), but like ST the programs are EXTREMELY competitive and I don't want to apply and reapply for years. I might give it a try though.

OT is cool. I currently only work with one OT, for a kid with TBI. She seems to love her job. I agree re the applying and reapplying for years. Wouldn't be worth it.

Re getting hurt on the job, it's a risk -- though less of one -- for teachers too. And there is little recourse. I would, however, never work anywhere I did not have a union.

[girllikeu2]

Originally Posted by Martina

OT is cool. I currently only work with one OT, for a kid with TBI. She seems to love her job. I agree re the applying and reapplying for years. Wouldn't be worth it.

Re getting hurt on the job, it's a risk -- though less of one -- for teachers too. And there is little recourse. I would, however, never work anywhere I did not have a union.

Martina, teacher's unions have been stripped of their power and are basically useless. I didn't even join this year because my previous 3 years I joined and was "surplussed" anyway. The district I am currently working in isn't honoring my years of experience and I am currently making EXACTLY what I made in 2001 when I jumped from private to public schools. Rent is a bit higher (and I have a kid now) so my standard of living is down. I am putting exactly $0 away for retirement right now.

I did a little salary research and it seems that if I get an RN degree (not a BSN - just the RN) I'd make MORE than I am currently making within a few years.

I understand I won't enjoy regular 2 week "holidays" (where I am often working in my classroom or doing paper work anyway) as a nurse. I think I am ready to give it up to do something I am pretty sure I will like (maybe A LOT) since I already prefer working with students with major medical issues and have enjoyed learning about their needs.

In high school I aspired to nursing but was convinced away from it by my sad algebra grade and a misinformed teacher.

I feel that if I make this leap, I am doing what I should have done 20 years ago. Better late than never.