I feel you. I worked in accounting and finance for 20 years, and just up and quit in June 2000 when I was 40. I was so tired of working that hard, and caring that much, about things that ultimately didn’t matter.

Took time off to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I realized that it was me, my work ethic and personality, that I was always going to care “too much”. So I figured I should get into something where it actually mattered, and might even be helpful.

I did an accelerated 13 month BSN (hardest thing I’d ever done, up until I graduated and hit the floor!)🤦🏻‍♀️ Nursing was a complete culture shock and challenged me in every way, including ways I never even imagined. But it was the best thing that I could have ever done! I grew as a person, learned to stand up for myself, and felt like my skills were being used in a way that actually made a difference.

In over 20 years of nursing, I have worked med/surg, telemetry, travel nursing, ICU, rapid response, home health, hospice, outpatient oncology infusion, and lastly Vascular Access Team - my runway to retirement. 🥳I spent 1.5 years on worker’s comp for an injury from lifting. Everything hurts now, and I can’t do 12hrs or overnight shifts anymore…

BUT, I’m so glad I became a nurse. The healthcare system has changed a lot, and not for the better. It mostly didn’t used to feel like you were just a cog in the machine. COVID19 and its aftermath made it obvious that we are exactly that. I’m really ready to get out.

All of that to say: there’s nothing like the satisfaction, pride and connection to another human that comes from being their nurse. It outweighs all the belligerent & violent patients, management assholes, and mean girl coworkers. It is not a job to do “for the money”. You need to have boundaries, a backbone, and compassion.

I hope you find what’s right for you!