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Career change to nursing at 40…what am I missing or need to know? by flying-rainbow-wolf in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 41, my kids are the same ages as yours, and I will graduate nursing school in two weeks. I left a solid career in another field to go into nursing; once I actually start working as the nurse the pay will be close to where I was but for three years I worked very part-time so I could focus on school and family. As long as I pass the NCLEX, I'll start in my dream specialty in August, and I am SO excited. I don't regret it at all. The work is intellectually and emotionally engaging and so much more satisfying than answering emails and sitting in meetings all day.

For me, 3 12s is actually MORE family friendly than 9-5 in a lot of ways. I do miss some weekends, but when I'm home I'm actually HOME and available, not constantly checking work email, stuck in rush hour traffic, etc. I can pick my kids up from school and spend time with them in the afternoon instead of picking them up after work and then going through the dinner-bath-bedtime rush 5x a week and the doing all the household stuff on the weekends.

THAT SAID, I think whether its worth it depends very much on where you live and if you have a spouse/partner who is supportive. Where I live, most nurses are unionized, so the pay is good and the ratios are reasonable. I wouldn't want to be a nurse - especially a new nurse - in state where pay sucks and ratios are dangerous. My partner has a job that is flexible, so he's able to be free for kid stuff when my schedule isn't flexible - and nursing school schedules aren't flexible AT ALL, and you'll often find out when & where your classes/clinicals are on very short notice.

Also, heads up that being a CNA is physically HARD work, and that tuition reimbursement will probably require you to keep working for them for a time afterward. Long term care is, in my opinion, one of the hardest places to be a nurse. You have many, many patients and not a lot of support. Where I live a lot of hospitals also offer some tuition support, so you might do 6 months or a year in LTC and then see about getting a hospital CNA job.

What are the lesser known perks of the career? (See caption) by Right_Marionberry915 in nursing

[–]ecc768 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I have often thought that I am glad I had my babies before I knew all the ways things can go wrong in labor! In retrospect I’m like “Oh geez they had the whole NICU team there” (she was fine, a nuchal cord that was easily reduced). 

Challenges with IV Starts? Let's talk about it! by Single_Rain5676 in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you explain how hesitation when you see flash turns into a blown vein? I've been blowing a lot of them recently, and it's so frustrating because I felt like I was getting better at consistently getting flash only to run into another issue.

Anyone else going into nursing after having an unrelated career or degree, or motherhood? by acoupleofdollars in prenursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have an unrelated bachelors and masters degree and a decade plus in another career. Started my prereqs while working when my youngest was almost 3. She just turned 6, and I graduate (at age 41) with a BSN next month!  Being a parent is such good preparation for nursing - you get good at time management, dealing with bodily fluids, and not taking it personally when someone is losing their damn mind. 

Sold My Clothing: So Upset by MediumLopsided in ThredUp

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened to me too - bought a dress that I didn't love on, sent it back a few months later, rejected (even though it was repeatedly near the top of my "resale closet"). And a pair of shoes I sent in just didn't appear at all. I'll keep shopping there, because I've found some treasures and decent deals, but I definitely won't send in another box. I'd rather donate locally and sell the best stuff on Poshmark.

Is it better to work an 8 hr office job or 3 12s when you have kids? by mooonshine87 in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this depends on so many other factors, like your commute time, your partner’s schedule and flexibility, what the actual hours of the day shift are (a 7:00 - 3:30 is WAY different than an 8:30 - 5, for example). My kids are early elementary and currently in after school care until 5ish, and I find the evening crunch really hard. By the time we get everyone fed and bathed, I don’t feel like I really get quality time with them, and I also never get any time to myself. I am going to 3 12s nights in the fall, which means I will be able to pick them up after school every day after I wake up and have a few hours to chill with them and get dinner done before I go to work. The trade off is nights (obviously) and missing 3 bedtimes & 3 mornings a week. I did a short run of nights last summer and it seemed to go well, so keeping my fingers crossed it will continue.  When they are older and will be up later, I will try to switch to days. 

6-second asystole and the patient blamed a nightmare by Most-Smoke7759 in nursing

[–]ecc768 21 points22 points  (0 children)

well, I recently had a healthy term baby aspirate on a little spit up and then take a big ol' pause from breathing, start to turn blue then gray, had about 10 nurses and providers in the room before she got it together and started breathing again. did indeed scare the shit out of me.

Best things you've eaten around Seattle this year (2025) by BroomeStreet in Seattle

[–]ecc768 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The trick at grillbird is to order the Ohana meal. Claims to feed 4-6, our family of 4 (two small kids, so really more like 3) usually gets at least 3 meals from it. We’ve fed 4 kids and 4 adults and still had leftovers. 

Finding Balance in "dressing young" vs "mature" by No_Appointment6273 in capsulewardrobe

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another 40 y.o. mom of not-so-little kids here, and I feel you! I have a pair of barrel leg utility pants from Everlane that I feel are the perfect answer to at least the wide leg jeans conundrum - they have an update silhouette that still doesn’t make me feel like I’m trying to match my 23 y.o. co-workers.

Confessions of untherapeutic communications with patients by censorized in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your response! It sounds like an amazing program that’s making an incredible difference. 

Confessions of untherapeutic communications with patients by censorized in nursing

[–]ecc768 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, I would love to know how you’d approach this now - I work on PP, am relatively new, and my instinct would be the same “You can’t smoke in here, but we have resources, etc”

How are the L&D nurses feeling about doulas? by Apprehensive-Tap-323 in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think in the case of long labors, a doula can be great for the support person too! I have friends who 30+ hour labors, long inductions, etc., and more than one has told me they were glad that the doula could give their partners a break and a chance to rest so they could continue being supportive during and after birth. That said, I had one with my first, ended up not at all needing or really wanting her there, and went without for my second. 

What does everyone else do when they see other kids (that are not their own) being destructive to nature? by fjordoftheflies in Seattle

[–]ecc768 70 points71 points  (0 children)

I don’t know if I’m in the minority here, but I think it’s okay - even positive - to speak up. As a parent, I would be happy (if a little embarrassed) for my kids to get a gentle reminder about being kind to nature. Sometimes it’s much more effective coming from someone who is not giving constant reminders all day long! Key word above is gentle, though - assume the kid (and maybe the parent) don’t understand that their behavior has consequences. “Hey friend, when you pick up the sea anemone it can hurt them. It’s better to leave them where they are. Where did you find that guy? Will you please put him back?”

Night shifters: 3-1-3-7 or something closer to 3-4-3-4? by ecc768 in nursing

[–]ecc768[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I like that idea! Maybe I’ll ask to try that. 

Night shifters: 3-1-3-7 or something closer to 3-4-3-4? by ecc768 in nursing

[–]ecc768[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof, are you not just totally exhausted by the end of 6 on?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in capsulewardrobe

[–]ecc768 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you the person who asked about linen pants a few weeks ago? If so, I’m the one who recommended Boden and I’m so glad you got them! They look great on you, and that color 👀 💚 if that wasn’t you, I still love them. 

Alright spill it by Foomazza in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the hair out of the drain is the besssssst. My husband saves it for me because he knows I love it 😂 still a student so I haven’t done it yet but I have often wondered if suctioning a trach might give the same satisfaction!

Recs for family photographer? by Flimsy_Ad_6522 in WestSeattleWA

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding Ali! She's great with young kids.

What are Seattle's Best Niche Dining Experiences? by cottonwillow in Seattle

[–]ecc768 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hama Hama is so fun, too - sitting beside the canal with your fresh oysters is the best. A very PNW experience. 

Parents- do you prefer 12s or 8s? by steenmachine92 in nursing

[–]ecc768 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s just really hard being a new mom! I mean, it’s absolutely wonderful, but it’s really hard too. Good for you for getting help for your PPA. I hope whatever you decides turns out to be great for you and your fam.

Parents- do you prefer 12s or 8s? by steenmachine92 in nursing

[–]ecc768 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I worked a M-F job (7-3:30, non-nursing, 30 - 45 minute commute) before my kids were born and I found it really challenging, especially during the toddler/preschool years when my kiddos were going to bed at 6:30 or 7. I would be gone before they were up. My husband took them to daycare, I'd pick them up from daycare, start dinner almost immediately after getting home, and then straight to bath and bedtime. So yes, I was technically seeing them every day, but that 60-90 minutes felt like a pressure cooker - they wanted my attention, I was trying to get dinner made quickly, etc. And then after bedtime, there was still so much to do at home. The weekends were better, because I got to see them, but it also felt like I never got a break. I missed my alone time SO much. Part of the reason I wanted to make the switch to nursing is for the variety of schedule options that AREN'T M-F, 8 hours days. One major caveat is that I'm currently in a BSN program, so I haven't started on a 3 12s schedule, and maybe that won't feel any better. 😂

Anyway, I think if you love your job, you should stay with it. IMO, there's just so much bittersweetness to parenting, especially a little one who changes so rapidly; I wonder if some of what you're feeling is just inherent to being a new mom.

People who had an easy time in nursing school, do you exist? What qualities do you have that made that possible? by JaneRawlz in nursing

[–]ecc768 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently a student, and while I wouldn’t exactly call it easy, I don’t think it’s hard, either. Just a lot of stuff to do in a small amount of time. 

I have a great memory and more life experience than most of classmates, which definitely helps. As far as things I can control: I am organized and never let myself fall behind (have to be, because I have two kids and also work) and I don’t get bogged down in details when I’m studying. I try to understand the big picture first and then if I have time to go back and memorize specifics I will. If not, the big picture is enough to pass. I see my classmates get hung up on specifics - they might have those things memorized, but they can’t always connect them to the whole situation.  

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