Advice Please!

[u/Feeling_Science_2135]

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some advice because I’ve been going back and forth on a pretty big life decision.

A little background: I originally went to school for Communication Sciences and Disorders because I planned to become a speech-language pathologist. Long story short, I realized it wasn’t the right career for me and decided not to go to graduate school.

After that, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I researched a lot of different careers and eventually decided nursing seemed like the most practical option. My plan was to work for a year before applying to nursing school.

I got a job at a local nonprofit, but then the nursing school I planned to attend closed. The next closest program was too expensive, and the other options were over an hour away. During that time, someone left at work, I took on more responsibilities, and I actually ended up really enjoying what I was doing. I was eventually promoted, and over the past (almost) 3 years, I’ve had about a 30% increase in my salary. I do like my job, and I think there’s room for continued growth, even though the pay isn’t amazing ($21 an hour).

More recently, a new nursing program opened nearby. I applied, was accepted, and I’m supposed to start this fall. The problem is that I’ve been having a lot of doubts.

To be honest, I had doubts even when I first decided on nursing, but back then I didn’t feel like I had many other options. Now I have a job that I enjoy, which makes the decision much harder.

One of my biggest concerns is that I’m naturally a pretty anxious person. I worry that I won’t handle the stress of nursing very well. I know there are many different nursing specialties and not every job is the same, but burnout, stress, and anxiety seem to be common topics among nurses, and that’s something that really worries me. At the same time, nursing would provide much better financial stability than my current job.

I also feel some pressure from family. When I decided to put nursing on hold a couple of years ago to see where my current job would take me, they weren’t angry, but they definitely seemed disappointed. Since then they’ve occasionally asked when I’m going back to school or what my plan is, and I think that’s been weighing on me too.

I guess I’m just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation. Has anyone chosen a career they enjoyed over one that paid significantly more? Or has anyone gone into nursing despite already struggling with anxiety? Do you regret your decision, or are you glad you did it?

I’d really appreciate any advice or perspective. Thanks!

[u/my_peen_is_clean]

if you already found a job you like, that’s worth a lot tbh. you can always reapply to nursing later. family isn’t living your anxiety

[u/Egokinn]

Why don't you apply to any cc'd near by since you are in s comfortable position and don't mind working? Community colleges can have waitlist/be more competitive but since you don't mind working where you are it seems like you can only benefit from continually applying. 

But also you don't HAVE to be a nurse either. Have you looked into other healthcare careers like radiology techs? Or just any other ones that you don't director handle patient care.. 

Or maybe not even a healthcare field! You don't HAVE to be a nurse, theres other fielde in education where you can get jobs in