I Need Your Advise on a Life Changing Dilemma
I need your opinion or advise. I know many of you who read my blog are stay at home moms as well as working women so your perspective on the issue I am about to outline is something that you will understand.
Here is an overview of my "Life Changing Dilemma". . .after reading it, I need your honest opinion or advise:
A year and a half ago, I quit my job as an RN because we moved from Hawaii to California. My husband was promoted at his job but needed to move to the San Diego area. We agreed to sell our home and haul ourselves to California. . .the housing market was at its peak, my husband would have a substantial raise, and the cost of living was less - all positive reasons to take this major step.
When we arrived in California, we bought a house and settled down in a town called Temecula. The only obstacle we encountered was that there were no transportation system for high schoolers. We could not find a house we liked at a walking distance to the school, therefore, I became the transportation. We don't know anyone well enough to drive my kids to school. Furthermore, my husband goes on monthly business trips and he would be gone at least 4 days of each month.
An RN position is typically a 12 hour shift (7 am to 7:30 pm or 7 pm to 7:30 am). This was a problem for us because I would not be home in time to drop off or pick up the kids from school. My husband's business trip complicates the matter further because when he is on business trips, the kids would be alone from 7 at nigh through 8 in the morning).
For this reason, we decided it was not possible for me to work at this time, therefore, I have not worked for over a year. My son will be getting his drivers permit in the summer and perhaps will be able to drive himself and my daughter to school giving me the option to go back to work at least for a day shift position (7 am to 7:30 pm)
My RN license is about to expire in a few months. . .in order to renew my license to practice, I need to acquire 30 hours of continuing education before the expiration date.
Here is my dilemma. . .since taking a break, I thought about the "quality of life" aspect of my existence. Although I love being an RN and working in this field, it is not my passion. I don't have to work (my husband is a good provider) but I NEED to return to my practice as an RN or I no longer will be marketable in the job force. A year off is way too long, especially, in the professional arena.
My problem lies here. . .I don't want to return to the nursing field because I want to continue "crafting" and pursue this route in life. I would prefer to work at Michaels or JoAnn and stock craft items on shelves because it's in the area I love most. . .
I need to renew my license and return to the work in my professional field or lose it but I'm thinking if ever I need to return to work, I'll get a job at JoAnn and maybe I'll maybe be able to teach craft classes or something like that. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury to debate this issue because time is of essence.
A full time experienced RN makes approximately $70,000 a year and if I decide not to return to work soon and renew my license, well. . .I would lose the opportunity or even the possibility of ever making that sort of money again. It's the debate between "happiness but with very little money" versus "lots of money but lacking passion or even happiness". . .
I'm sure many of you SAHM (stay at home moms) are in this precarious position. . .what would you do if you need to make a decision like this? Would you return to your profession or take the chance of pursuing your passion but potentially losing your professional career?
PLEASE HELP ME! I REALLY NEED SOUND ADVISE!
13 comments:
Maria,
I feel for you. You do have a very difficult decision to make. I have been a medical transcriptionist for 36 years, working from home for most of the last 12 years. I recently went back on site at the local hospital for 6 months, hating the thought of working in an office, but knowing I needed some structure in my life again. 6 months was all it took to realize I hated working in an office. I am twice divorced and need to make my own living, so I am very glad to have my skill. My advice to you is that if you can manage it, you should renew your license "just in case." You never know when you will need to make $70,000 a year again. Renew your license and pursue your passion in any way you can. I teach card making on the side, which keeps me smiling. You can do what you have to do to be able to do what you love to do. :) Good luck!
Hugs,
Karen, WY
What a difficult dilemma! I understand fully, as nursing is not a burning passion for me either, but does provides a decent income. As a practicing RN, my instincts would say to keep your license current, as it's a lot more work to re-license once it has expired than to renew. It is a field where you can always work casual...few shifts/months if desired. I have a few friends who have left the nursing field, but have kept their license current, just in case they have to go back to nursing. After a few years of being succesful in another career, 2 of them have given up their license now and have not regretted it at all. The other 2 are currently working casually as nurses. They work part time at other jobs and work 1 or 2 shifts a month as nurses. Being an RN in Canada is different than in the USA, so I'm not sure that our situation would work for you.
Well Maria, I am sure that you will make the correct decision for you!! I am also an RN, never really cared for the work, but when I was graduating a girl either became a nurse or a teacher and my mom thought I should be nurse, so that it was. I haven't worked in the nursing field for 9 years because of a move but I have kept my license up to date as you never know when you may need it. I am 57 years old so doubt I will ever go back, but hospitals are begging for nurses and they would train any nurse who wanted to reenter the profession. Go with your heart is my advice. Life is too short to do what you don't want to do. Good luck with your decision, Maria. By the way, your craftmanship of cards and other projects is outstanding.
Cheryl Sims
Well Maria, I am sure that you will make the correct decision for you!! I am also an RN, never really cared for the work, but when I was graduating a girl either became a nurse or a teacher and my mom thought I should be nurse, so that it was. I haven't worked in the nursing field for 9 years because of a move but I have kept my license up to date as you never know when you may need it. I am 57 years old so doubt I will ever go back, but hospitals are begging for nurses and they would train any nurse who wanted to reenter the profession. Go with your heart is my advice. Life is too short to do what you don't want to do. Good luck with your decision, Maria. By the way, your craftmanship of cards and other projects is outstanding.
Cheryl Sims
Well Maria, I am sure that you will make the correct decision for you!! I am also an RN, never really cared for the work, but when I was graduating a girl either became a nurse or a teacher and my mom thought I should be nurse, so that it was. I haven't worked in the nursing field for 9 years because of a move but I have kept my license up to date as you never know when you may need it. I am 57 years old so doubt I will ever go back, but hospitals are begging for nurses and they would train any nurse who wanted to reenter the profession. Go with your heart is my advice. Life is too short to do what you don't want to do. Good luck with your decision, Maria. By the way, your craftmanship of cards and other projects is outstanding.
Cheryl Sims
Maria,
Another RN giving advice! I would keep the license, cuz you never know...You can get CE's online and never leave the house! You never know if you need a little fun money for those expensive teens or cool wife-sprung vacation!
Good luck in your decision!
KEEP THE LISCENSE-and look around for something part time -summer camp nurse for scouts is good. If god forbid anything happened to the family earner, would you be able to support yourself living in California on Micheals wages? probably not and insurnace money does not last forever. you are too young to throw your education away. FInd a way to use it with less stress on you. But you need a spare tire just in case.
I would definately recommend keeping your license current. I am an employment counselor who sees on a daily basis the need for displaced homemakers (that is someone who works in the home and is supported by the income of another and looses that support)to enter or re-enter into the workfoce. There are and can be several reasons for a person to return to work. A primary financial supporter could become disabled and no longer able to work, could be laid off and have difficulty finding re-employment right away (and believe me unemployment benefits don't replace the earned income), could pass away, there is the unexpected divorce. While I don't wish these circumstances on anyone, they are a fact of life. CEU's can usually be accomplished in many ways to include work, clinical, volunteering, and/or classroom. If the prospect of a paid position where you are not able to work in a casual or part-time basis is to appealing or available - I would encourage you to take a look at volunteering (because you may be able to then dictate the hours you need to be available). Even if you decide at a later date to not work as an RN, there are several other occupations and industries that require you have the RN, like health insurance, claims processing companies. I know Blue Cross is located here and they often have higher end administrative or management positions that require the RN.... so an RN license doesn't always mean working as a nurse. Hope this helps.
I can certainly understand your dilemma. I would DEFINATELY keep your license current. You worked hard for that license and you never know if you might have to work at that profession again in the future. A similiar situation involved my mother who was a hairdresser, owned her own shop and was very successful in our town. After two kids, my father wanted her to give it up and stay home with us kids. She did and appropriamately 6 or 7 yrs later my father took ill and was never able to work again. He passed away when I was 11 so she then had 3 kids to raise on her own. She always regretted giving up her license. She said that if she had have known what the future held for her, she would have continued to pay the fees even though it was money they couldn't afford at the time. Just because you renew it, doesn't mean you have to work at it. If you chose to stay home with the kids then do so and who knows in the future you may want to go back to it. But I would keep it and then continue to follow my passion and my heart. You know what's best for you and your family.
Maria--
I am going to sort of play the devil advocate here as my husband and I made some major and very serious life changes last year that,although they were very dificult decisions to make, we are both very happy that we did change our life style. And no, making those life style changes aren't for everyone. So I do want you and others to know that just because we did something life changing, we also know its not for everyone. You just have to get to a point in your life where you can say, ok, its time. I do definately agree with many of the other comments made that at least keeping up your credentials is a good idea, as yes, we don't know whats going to happen to us, our spouses, etc. Its safe. But you made some intersting comments yourself. You said that your husband was supportive of what you are currently doing. Thats important right there. Also it sounds like the money aspect isn't a major issue. But lastly, you said that although you liked nursing, that wasn't your passion, and to find something that you are so very passionate about, to me is such a godsend, because we are not all that lucky!! Things might really take off for you in a very differnet and unexpected direction.You are very talented at what you do from what I have seen by your blogs/ work etc. One of the biggest reasons we finally decided to make changes was that we don't want to be old and gray and say someday, "I wish we would have....!"
I think in your heart of hearts, you REALLY do know what you want to do!! Trust yourself!!
Best of luck in whatever you do,
Syd
Hi, You never know where life will take you and you must always be prepared. Keep the license, it will be more trouble to get it back than it is to keep it. Degrees and licensures are door openers in our society. I have a degree in Legal Studies, but I am an executive asst to a medical director for a fortune 500 company. Do I like my job....well it pays the rent, but my passion is floral design, bridal consulting and card making. Good luck with your decision. Lynn
Whew! that is a tough decision. As a woman who was forced out of the work force and hasnt had a job since before christmas. I would jump on any job. Now I need to go back to school. Because circumstances insist. Maria, I think that for piece of mind keep you license going. But see if you can do classes at Michael's now.
Hi Maria,
First of all, I'd like to say that I too agree with keeping your credentials current. However, you said that crafting is your pation and it shows! You are very talented. I'm a stay at home mom that worked in management until my baby was born. When I started scrapbooking, I realized that I'd found my passion! Renew your license but look into teaching classes, workshops, get published, write a book! Your children are older, your husband is supportive of your passion and money is not an issue, so I say...have the best of both worlds! Your talent is amazing and you explain things very well. Start your own classes with friends as well as workshops at home or at friends houses. It could be like selling SU but you do it for yourself.
Your heart will guide you in the right direction and what you decide will be right for you.
Thanks for reaching out to us, your readers.
Good luck and many blessings!
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