I am not a risk taker.
I never have been, and probably never will be. And I am okay with that. I like my feet on the ground, I like to know tonight what I'm eating for breakfast in the morning, and I like to follow the beaten path.
I am also one of the most indecisive people I know.
But, I am also very unhappy in my job.
Don't get me wrong...it's a "great" job in terms of stability, the people I've met, and it pays the bills. It's even made it possible for me to buy a home last fall. But at then end of the day, it's a JOB. Not a career; not something I have any passion for whatsoever.
Don't get me wrong...it's a "great" job in terms of stability, the people I've met, and it pays the bills. It's even made it possible for me to buy a home last fall. But at then end of the day, it's a JOB. Not a career; not something I have any passion for whatsoever.
I've thought about a million different things to pursue: returning to teaching, finding another office job at a non-profit agency, personal training, etc. Unfortunately, as a new homeowner I know have to think realistically about finding a career that will, um, help me keep my house. (I don't want Freddie and Fannie gettin' their hands on my home!)
There IS one common tie to the careers I keep thinking about: they all involve helping people in some way. I know that sounds incredibly cheesy, but that's the "teacher" in me. That's the nurturing side. The one career that I keep debating in my head would be one that will help me keep my house AND help people. I've been thinking about becoming a nurse!
The scary shiz is that I would have to quit my job for 2 years to complete the nursing program. This means: (GULP) loans. I am very blessed in that my parents paid for my undergraduate education, and other than my mortgage, I don't have a current loan of any type. I am TERRIFIED of taking out a loan, especially because I'm not 100% convinced that I want to be a nurse. I love the field of health, helping others, the flexibility of nursing schedules, and the great benefits that come along with the job....but it's scary because I'm not 100% certain. But are we ever certain when we do something outside of the norm?
One day I feel like I could conquer the world, and I am 100% for quitting my job and pursuing my nursing degree.
The very next day I feel like I would be WAY too stressed to undertake something like this.
I just wish someone would tell me what to do! lol. That's always been my answer/response to things: "Just tell me what to do." Like I said....Ms. Indecisive, comin' at ya.
Are you currently happy in your job/career? If you're not working, do you have a career in mind that you think might suit you best?
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14 comments:
Wow, that is some heavy stuff right there, and LOTS to think about. But you know what, I say GO FOR IT, if it's financially possible. Now is probably the best time to go back to school or learn a new trade. That said, could you still find parttime work while you're in school? To help with bills and stuff?
If nursing (or even teaching) is your passion, why not go for it? You only have one life to live. Some people change their careers several times. Some find their passion later in life. There's NO SHAME in trying something new.
Keep us posted!! :)
I think becoming a nurse would be a wonderful way to help people. I love nurses because they always relax me when im nervious for appts. haha
good luck :D
I entered college thinking I would study nursing but changed my major to business. In hindsight I wished I had done it. I looked into going back to school but the cost and the fact that I have 2 school age kids makes it very difficult. I say do it now while you can. Nursing is a great career to have when you have kids due to the flexibility of schedules.
I had the same feeling you did, the "I want to HELP people with my career." I knew that helping people would ultimately help me. I'd just graduated with a Computer Science degree, but sitting behind a desk programming was NOT what I wanted.
I could never be a nurse... I can't handle the yucky stuff. But what I did end up going back to school for was to become a dietitian! And I am so excited to be able to help people get healthy.
Unless you have a successful private practice, an RD will probably not make as much or more than an RN, but it's close. Hospital RD's make slightly less than hospital RN's. But it's still enough to live on!
The schooling is 4 years (a BS) plus an internship (unpaid, about a year long). It's rough but worth it!
Now let's hope I pass the exam... I'm taking it in about one month!!!
I hate my job. 100%. It has nothing to do with my education, my company takes advantage of me and I am not challenged.
I am currently looking for a job. My master's degree is in terrorism and I would love to work for the government (or as a consultant) in counter terrorism. I would love to be an analyst and do research.
Apparently follow through with this dream is going to be more difficult than I thought. My resume is out there but getting a job in the government is so difficult.
Sometimes I think I should just suck it up for another year, get pregnant and then quit working after the baby is born. Means I would have less than 2 years of real work left. And after the baby is born, then I can reevaluate and maybe take a part time job in something I enjoy. Or volunteer.
I just don't know either...
Happiness Awaits
It is so weird that you posted this today! My mom mentioned me going to nursing school the other day and I hav been thinking about it a lot. I hate my job right now. I have a degree in Marketing and I am a receptionist. I feel like my degree was a waste. I too have the hardest time making any kind of decision. I feel like it could be worth the risk in the long run though! This job is not getting me anywhere! I'd say go for it if possible!
Maybe there is some way to get a taste of it before you make the plunge - like doing volunteer work! I think now is the time though - if you decide you love it, go for it! Find that job that makes you happy - you deserve it.
Not sure if you read nurse on the run, but she has some good stories about being a nurse and a runner - http://susanruns.blogspot.com.
Good luck! I can't wait to hear more about your decision.
I'm in the same spot as you and this is after I took out student loans for a 2 year program. But nursing is a great profession to be in, there are lots of areas you can go into and they are always needed. I would do a job shadow at a hospital to get a feeling of what the day to day job requirements are. I think you should do it!! Sounds like you're in a great position financially.
WOW! I agree 110%! My mom is a nurse and i keep considering the field. I can't decide. I'm 22, i live at home, go to school full time & work part time && to top it off, i have NO flipping idea what to do with my life.
Its weird that you mention personal training, because i was looking into that today. I'm seriously considering it.
If you are really geeked about becoming a nurse, i say go for it. You only live once. You will make enough money in 5 years to pay off all those loans. Plus if all you have is your morgage, your credit must be awesome and you seem (from what i know) set.
Maybe you can look into the whole personal training gig too and do that while your going to school. Thats flexible and you can make sweet money doing it too! Plus it would totally work around your schedule.
Shoot i'm convincing myself wow what a good idea! Hmm my wheels are turning! :)
Keep us posted... i can't wait to hear about your decision!!!!
I think you should go for it! Maybe you could find someone/somewhere that would let you shadow a nurse so you could make certain its what you want to do? If it is- I totally say go for it!
I'm so like you! One day I think I know what I want to do with my life and plunge into it all gung-ho with the research, etc, and then maybe a week later I'm like ummmm do I really want to commit to this??
I'd say your best bet is to talk to a nurse before you make any decisions. Ask them about the nitty gritty details they may not have been prepared for when they entered nursing school. If that doesn't sway your decision, then look into the loans. I had a few decent-sized loans from undergrad, but I don't let them stress me out. Education is worth it. Credit card bills, on the other hand, make me cringe. Start talking to as many people as you can about nursing school and taking out loans while you're a home owner, and see what people have to say. You'll probably hear different opinions, but at least you'll be able to make more of an informed decision.
If you don't like your job, GET OUT. So much of our lives are spent at our jobs, so it really definitely should be something that you enjoy.
Talk to some other nurses, find out all the gritty details about the job and their favorite parts and everything. Do your research before making the decision- then you'll know what to expect. But even if you decide it's not for you, I'd still say that you should look for another job, and one that you really do truly enjoy. You're super brave- you can do it!
- Sagan
Have you ever considered occupational therapy? It might give the rewards of helping people without dealing with all the blood and ick.
Go for it, Holly --you only live once and following a dream is something people talk about but few actually do for fear of the unknown. I say, go for it!! Loans and all -- it's worth it!
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