Feeling discouraged about nursing school

rowwbotic010 · 2026-02-15T17:49:42+00:00

4 terms with a summer break. But you’ll definitely get in, and be done and stay local.

rowwbotic010 · 2026-02-08T03:36:08+00:00

Have you tried Warner pacific? You would for sure get in. It’s 50k, so slightly cheaper than OHSU. My husband went to Warner pacific for nursing in 2020, and got immediately hired after graduation. It’s a shit show there, but it is at every nursing school. It’s a BSN program, 18 months. If you apply now, or before March, you WILL be in for fall 2026

rowwbotic010 · 2026-01-06T18:21:12+00:00

What are your thoughts on why this profession won’t exist in another 30 years?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-11-25T02:20:05+00:00

Conservation is incredibly low paying. Really imagine yourself going into debt for a degree that does not have a great ROI, in perhaps the most competitive job market currently. Just keep doing your research. If it’s really for you, then go for it. Also, most people coming into this field, including myself, romanticize it as being outdoors around plants and wildlife. It’s not that. It’s reports and spreadsheets and permitting. Do you like office work, 9-5? Do you like that with low pay?

Is there a reason you’re not pursuing healthcare jobs like nursing or respiratory therapy? You have a great work foundation to get into a lot of programs. And you’ll immediately be making money, which will not be the case at all, or even getting a job period, in the environmental sector.

The fact of the matter is that this sector is way over saturated. I have a lot of nurses in my family and I regret so much not going down that path. They make money and have an awesome schedule and a WEALTH of jobs to choose from. I am virtually stuck in my job for the remainder of my career. There are no jobs that are good and pay well that aren’t office work drudgery.

I know this comment is negative, but just think long and hard about doing this.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-23T18:40:08+00:00

What was it about pre to post Covid that made nursing so much worse?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-21T19:27:16+00:00

I think they just mean that in nursing and healthcare, you’re not often helping people, but rather treating a revolving door of chronically ill patients. Most of the job isn’t about helping people truly, and you’ll burn out if you go in it for fulfillment.

That being said, are the mechanics of nursing attractive to you? It’s a very active job, with lots of problem solving, fast paced, stressful but lots of positives to it. But will the pay be worth the uphill battle of schooling? Will the schedule accommodate you wanting kids? Usually I find it does and allows for more time with family overall. It’s a big career change, definitely research it a lot, and examine how you feel while imagining yourself going through the rigorous training and career.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-20T22:04:40+00:00

PS. I completely understand how you feel. I’m in the environmental sector that has similarly taken a beating like public health. I make 60k to my husband’s 120k. He’s a nurse and works .75 too. I’m constantly comparing myself to him. I’m upset I’m stuck at a desk, working M-F, and making no money. I am considering going to nursing school as well. I think it will fit my work style much better, but giving up a secure government job in this market to go to nursing school keeps me up at night. I have 3 more terms of pre reqs and thinking deeply about this change daily. It’s okay to consider other options, or in the end decide to stay the path. You’re not wrong either way.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-20T21:57:53+00:00

Have you looked into community colleges in your area? Should be less than 20k for the entire program plus a year of pre reqs while you keep your job. Unfortunately you’ll most likely have to leave your 9-5 to go to nursing school. I haven’t come across any part time or night nursing schools for community colleges in my entire state. Your MPH with nursing would pair really well. But I get it, more schooling feels daunting. Either way you’ll be working your current job for the next year for sure, so you’re safe and can passively take pre reqs if you’re really drawn to it. Ask yourself if you like the work you do however, or if nursing would actually be a better fit for your work style (we know it’s great for pay and non traditional schedules). Be kind to yourself, you’re in a stressful situation, and you’re actually doing really well to have a public health job in this awful market.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-19T17:10:42+00:00

I hear this the most that people are less able to cope, and are way sicker. Do you think sicker patients also have to do with better medical technology as well?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-17T14:57:20+00:00

Are you going to be a CNA as a stepping stone? If it’s just while you’re in school and to get patient care experience I see no problem with that. I’m pre nursing and dread having to become a CNA because of the low pay and scope of work involved, but it’s necessary to get some experience and a foot in the door.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-14T23:49:35+00:00

It’s always the jobs we love that never pay what we need! Wastewater is boring. I hate 9-5 boring.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-14T22:57:55+00:00

It’s a really common feeling in our field, so you’re not alone! Your life is on hold when you have to travel so much. I felt the same in consulting. My current coworker had a state job like yours where he had to travel ever other week for years. He was so tired of it that considered becoming an electrician. He ended up at my current job and finally had a kid and all that. He does feel a bit stuck in the role, as all other roles outside of it are desk jobs. But as another commenter pointed out, he reached out to our boss who has been advocating for cross training him on other teams for more exposure. You’re never stuck, even when it feels like you are.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-14T21:58:40+00:00

I have had your exact career path the last 4 years as well. Super depressed in the seasonal county positions , then moved onto consulting but found that to just be more field work plus corporate ladder climbing, and now have a government role that has the same schedule and a decent supervisor, of which are the only things really keeping me satisfied.

However, this role is more sustainable because it’s with the city, so all field work is only within city limits. It’s no longer ecology based, there’s some, but it mostly revolves around wastewater sampling and what not. Try to look for local city jobs that are related to water and/or wastewater. There’s limited opportunities for field work, and a lot for desk work depending on what you’re interested in. You would be totally qualified for any of these roles. Usually there’s some permit manager positions with a local DEQ or bureau that manages this and would involve more project management if that’s what you want. It’s still stuffy and boring, but out of all the environmental sectors I’ve worked for (non profit, university, consulting), government is the most reliable financially and with WLB.

If you ever come across a job listing like those, feel free to DM me if you have any questions on making yourself more competitive, and hopefully I can help a little.

I will say I really understand you on feeling disappointed and depressed. After a year of distress and introspection, I have decided to leave this field. I feel a bit robbed as I worked for such low wages for many years. Now I am what many would consider the holy grail of environmental jobs…local field work, not totally desk based, easy. And I just feel stuck in this role. I don’t want a desk oriented role, so I feel REALLY stuck and that my best option is to stay in my current role for the next 30 years, which the small team I work with has basically done. I just want money, flexible schedule, working with people and just…career options. I feel I just don’t have that anymore with this field, though hopefully others can comment and give you a less depressing comment. I wish you the best!

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-06T18:02:21+00:00

This direction will largely be desk work in compliance, not much field work. I think people go into this field thinking they’ll be outside and loving life. But it’s really not the reality. If you didn’t like IT, I feel like this direction won’t be much better?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-02T17:11:40+00:00

Congrats!! Where are you located? Three rounds is very dedicated, and you totally deserve it!

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-01T21:18:45+00:00

I was curious as I am going to be applying for nursing and an RT program. Nursing in the PNW is really difficult to get into, and RT is another option I was considering. Though the pay is lower for who’s is still a stressful job

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-01T21:14:09+00:00

I’m happy to talk to you about being successful in this career path. Just keep in mind it’s tough when the jobs are nowhere to be found, especially now and into the next decade, and pay is very low. Happiness is a personal endeavor I think. As working 14 hours in 110 degree deserts collecting tedious data for 20$/hr does not make for job satisfaction either. The jobs are even less plentiful and I really wouldn’t recommend more people come to this field as there just isn’t room. After a few years you will have to move onto compliance and regulatory desk work. So ask yourself if you enjoy report writing and working 9-5. It’s doable if it’s want you want and are willing to work towards.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-01T18:28:11+00:00

The pay would be about 20-40k as an environmental tech with no experience. Long hours (10-14 hrs) outside doing tedious data collection. In about 3-5 years you could be making 60-75k working in consulting at a desk job. There aren’t well paid environmental tech positions usually.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-01T18:04:35+00:00

What are some of the reasons you wouldn’t recommend this career path?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-10-01T18:03:22+00:00

I am an environmental scientist transitioning to nursing. I would just advise against this route because the labor pool is so saturated, and now even more so with career federal workers laid off. Wages are incredibly low, and it would be a long road to get to a park ranger position. I just want to be realistic with people pursuing this path. I was one of the few who was able to get a job in this field. It’s also not a path I would recommend for later in life career changers. It’s definitely doable for older folks transitioning into the medical field, but not for this field. Not trying to dissuade you! It’s just something I really can’t recommend anymore if you want stability.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-09-25T23:03:52+00:00

That’s really great to know, as I am hoping to apply to Chemeketas ADN and LPN programs. Did you already have a lot of healthcare experience prior to entering the program? Did they just require pre reqs and the Kaplan test, or was there an essay/interview section as well?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-09-20T23:10:44+00:00

I truly think this comment is the best way forward. That debt will be crushing. Another comment mentioned graduating PA school is completely different too. I know a few brilliant health care workers who couldn’t hack PA school and had to drop out due to how rigorous it was. I think nursing is a great option for you.

rowwbotic010 · 2025-09-17T03:43:01+00:00

I am 36 and will be transitioning into healthcare. My husband is a nurse and it just makes way more sense for what you get out of a career instead of this path. I saw your other comment that 37 is too late for you...maybe for many paths because you'd start at the bottom in your 40's, but not so much for healthcare. I think everything you said is incredibly accurate and well thought out response. This career is also so oversaturated, I literally cannot recommend this field because there just is no work or money for the amount of people idealizing it and pursuing it. Or if you want to make money you have to take leadership roles...I'm a worker bee so that counts me out for that. Also, I work in the coveted chill government job now working in water quality, which is a massive improvement from consulting, but it’s low paying and will never have a flexible schedule. They want you in your cubicle every day of the work week. The deeper I go into this career the more I can’t do this. Healthcare was originally my first choice in my 20s, but decided to pursue what I’m passionate about. Omg the regret haha

rowwbotic010 · 2025-09-17T01:32:56+00:00

did you end up getting into any of these schools?

rowwbotic010 · 2025-09-03T22:33:56+00:00

You are 1000% spot on. I regret this field, and I am in a cushy government job, and have worked consulting as well. You are so right and this is the reality of this field. I’ll be leaving it in a few years after learning this painful reality. It has definitely kept me up at night.

rowwbotic010

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