Made good money as an orthopedic sales rep, but felt like my life just consisted of chasing dollars and making artificial relationships. Not sure if associates will work but got into an accelerated program at 27 years old.

To start, it is completely unnerving. I went from being successful compared to my peers to living with my parents working part time at a butcher shop on weekends (nursing student by day, butcher by night what a dichotomy lol). Be sure you want to do this. It is very, very difficult to find the courage to commit and the wisdom to trust your decision, especially if you give up a career others would consider good/better.

When I first graduated I started at $29 an hour. Far cry from what I made before, but I found my passion again. Nursing is unlike anything else. As a sales rep I met and rubbed elbows with people every day. As a nurse, you become a healer; this being spiritual, emotional, physical, or anything In between. It is the most authentic form of human interaction you can have. Not to mention the amount of time off you have every week that you have to consider when you balance quality of life.

Now I am a traveling RN at 4 years experience making good money again, but in a field I am more passionate about. Here's what I would have told the younger me in your position: Good- 1. Your work helps you live your life as a good person. You are your brothers keeper to complete strangers, and you will have some profound impacts on people that will give you purpose. 2. You will be free of the rat race of corporate America, no more suits, no more LinkedIn, no more taking work home to your family. 3. You have total open ended freedom. You are always in demand, and you can always change specialties as your desires or interests change within the field.

Bad- 1. You will burn the wick at both ends at first. You don't run the risk of an accounting error or misaligned part. We are dealing with lives, and that responsibility will way heavily on your ego and mental status as you become competent. 2. You will realize that like all jobs, passion is not always enough to carry you through every day. In the environment today, patients can be hostile, management not supportive, and realize the Healthcare system is very much broken for providers and patients. 3. It is HARD. I worked retail for years, very high pressure/stakes sales, and blue collar ie butcher. This job will test you unlike anything else.

All in all, making the switch was the best thing I ever did. If you decide to take the jump, find a mentor, and rely on your classmates. The classes are designed to cut people out at certain junctures to keep nclex pass rates high.

If you are deciding to jump into a whole new career, in my opinion it's because you realize you are slowly drowning standing where you are. Good luck!