Anyone ever make a complete career change at this stage in life??

[6_Time_Momma]

I have been increasingly unhappy with my job and after much contemplation, I have come to the conclusion that it is not where I work, but rather what I am doing, I believe. I have been a nurse for 14 years, but I just am not happy with it anymore.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I would want to do. Beleive it or not, elementary teacher is what keeps coming to mind (am I nuts or what???)

I am 34 years old. Has anyone ever jumped ship on their career at this stage? How do I know this isn't just a period I am going through and that I won't get over it and still want to continue nursing? Boy, how DO you make a decision like this?

 

[pw2pp]

I have been thinking of leaving Nursing for about 10 years now, but haven't done a darn thing about it. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it. At least you have some idea of what you would want to do instead, I have NO idea of what else I would do, as all I have done since I was 17 years old was take care of people (started as a Nurse's Aide).
I say go for it..... if you don't mind taking a pay-cut that is.

at least you'd have no weekends, holidays, or summer.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

True confessions...
I only went back to school for computers 5 years ago... I'm 44
It's worked out great and I guess it's what I was meant to do!
I was a paramedic for longer than you were a nurse.....
In other words there is NOTHING in the world stopping you if you really want it.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I don't think it is nuts. I say go for it! You also might want to see about trying to land a job as a school nurse. This way you could keep your feet in nursing while getting your teaching degree.

 

[Beth76]

I don't know if I count, since I've never really had a career. I graduated with a degree in Interior Design. Hated it!!! Wanted to switch to education in the middle, but decided to "stick it out". Big mistake. So after graduation I worked in a preschool, making slightly more than minimum wage. Fortunately, my husband made good money. I loved working in the preschool. It was a Montessori school and immensely changed the way I feel about raising my family. So, that aspect was invaluable to me. But, now when it's time for me to go back to work, I don't really know what I'm going to do. But, I say, if you're unhappy, you should change your career. I don't think you're too old to change jobs. Go for it!!!

 

[pw2pp]

Kristy:
Have you worked in the same area of Nursing all of these years? Sometimes changing "specialties" of Nursing can make a world of difference. That is one good thing about Nursing, there are so many different choices available.
One of my co-workers who got burnt out by hands-on Nursing now works in the Anti-Coagulation Managemt Dept. of the hospital and her job is to check P.T. and INR results and adjust Coumadin doses for pts. She just calls them on the phone and deals with them. She loves it.

 

[tidoublegger]

Well, I am going to finish nursing school this December at the age of 38! You're scaring me! LOL!

I do like the idea of trying to get a school nurse position while pursuing your teaching degree! I am going into nursing because of the many different opportunities available, both with and without hands-on patient care involvement.

I don't think that it's ever too late to change careers....life is not a dress rehersal, so you should do what makes you happy!

Good luck making your decision!

 

[missyc]

Oh my.....how could 34 possibly be too late for ANYTHING?! And I'm (slightly) younger than you!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by missyc
Oh my.....how could 34 possibly be too late for ANYTHING?! And I'm (slightly) younger than you!

LOL! MAybe because I FEEL so old.

 

[katerkat]

My dad retired when his bank was taken over - he was around 40. He went from bank admin to college finance admin. Admittedly, they are similar, but the college world is very different from the bank world! And my mother went back to college and got her doctorate when she was 35. So it's not too late!

 

[phillybeth]

I changed careers at 32, from chemistry to forensics. It's very scary, starting over, taking those risks again. I was lucky, I didn't need to go back to school.
I would talk to as many teachers as possible, especially in the distrct where you would want to teach- just to make sure you're not suffering from "The grass is greener" syndrome Each job has it's challenges and rewards.

 

[Kteacher]

Kristy- I have a degree in Mktg., and was a buyer for a large dept. store. I went to p/t as a trainer for the stores when I had my kids, and at the age of 39 I got a job as an aide in a kindergarten. I've been doing it for 6 years now, and love it. I am home when my kids are home, I have the summers off, and the hours allow me the time to do all the volunteer work that I enjoy. I say go for it

 

[Pin Wizard]

I think you just make up your mind to do it and do it. I'm doing it in my 40s. And I was headed for Elementary Ed. I've changed from that to Business...I think. LOL! What do I want to be when I grow up?

 

[4greatboys]

My best friend and I both worked in the medical field. We were both supervisors in the insurance dept. I quit to be a sahm at 35. The best career decision I ever made!! When my 2 little ones are older and I go back to work it wont be in the medical field--Im just burned out on it.
My best friend quit and is now a realtor. She does like it better, the hours are way more flexible.

 

[CEDmom]

It's funny that you're thinking about making a career change to teaching. About 2 years ago my company was going thru a lot of layoff and I started looking it going back to school for my teaching certificate if I was among those laid off. Luckily I still have my job and although I don't love what I do I like it well enough and my schedule works out really well for my family so I'll be staying put. If I remember correctly I would have only needed about 30 credits to get certified so its not too bad.

Obviously I don't think it's crazy to make a change and I'm several years older than you. As long as it works out for you and your family I say go for it. Teachers are in high demand and once certified you could easily do it for 20-25 years.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I don't think you aren't crazy. Cause if you are then I am too!

I did exactly what you are thinking of doing. I was in my early 30's when I made the change. I had worked in different depts. in Nursing (Med Surg/Oncology & Peds) and have been "pulled" to many other specialties. I was ready for a change. It was physically demanding and mentally draining to see people going through such strife. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Nursing for years. It does have many rewards. But I was burning out. And in time, I reevalutated my life and what I wanted and went for it.

Don't dismiss your thoughts and feelings! After I did it, I wondered to myself what took me so long to make the change!!!

Got my degree in Early Childhood Education NK-4. Taught headstart for 3 years. Liked it much better. I had fun with the kids. And no holidays, shiftwork or weekends. (I had time to enjoy with my family!) We had parent workshops often and I realized how much I enjoyed doing those. So after a time, I went back and got my Masters in Adult Education and have worked in that field for awhile.

OceanAnnie

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I'm 25, and am about to make a major change...jumping from comic store owner to front desk receptionist. It's a chance for me to move up the ladder, as I'm at the highest point where I am now.

I know JUST how you feel!!

 

[flrose]

It's never too late, if it feels right do it. You will always have your nursing to fall back on. Or like someone else posted, maybe a different job in the same profession: school nurse, home health care, drs. ofc.

At 47 and 29 yrs with the same company I had had enough. It was very scary but, when I was interviewing for new positions, in the same field, one of the interviews just clicked. Yeah, I took a cut in pay & have less vacation time but, I'm back home in Fl., closer to my family and have my sanity back(well the last one could be questionable depending who you ask). \

Good Luck on whatever you decide.

 

[marymrg]

My mom and sister are both nurses. My mother switched to industrial nursing (loved it) after working in a hospital setting for years. My sister got out of it after awhile (nicu and picu) and now is a research nurse. Do you have a BSN or a NP degree? That opens up a lot of opportunities. Maybe you could even teach at a nursing school!

 

[Talking Hands]

I went back to school at 50 and will soon achieve my goal to get my QA as a sign language interpreter. I am already an interpreter in my church but in the fall I do internship and do my performance test for the FSQA and then I am ready to go. Next goal is RID (national) certification