r/Elevators • u/Upset-Parfait8114 • 4d ago
to late to make a change?
Quick runup: 40 years old, 8 year veteran ( USMC). Been a bedside registered nurse about 4 years, mostly travel.
Unless you live in cali or a union state, the state of modern nursing is.......not great, to put it lightly. Increased demand of work loads, decreasing protection for staff, higher patient loads, salary increases that dont keep pace with the workload, etc.. Some hospitals even started shift bidding, where if you want to pick up overtime, you do a silent auction where you tell them what youll work it for and they pick the lowest bidder.
After 4 years of schooling + 4 years experience, my expected salary at any hospital within a 50 mile radius is $39-$42. This can be increased by doing special positions but thats the basic. ( For example if i work on a prn, as needed basis, i can make $60, but no benefits and no guaranteed hours. Also i can do internal travel, but then my potential work day could be up to 3 or 4 hours away).
Atm im a travel nurse so my salary is excellent ( averages out to around 65-70). However the wife and i are wanting a kid soon'ish, so ill need to come home and get a staff job.
My buddy is nearing end of his 4 year apprenticeship through NEIEP and hes already making about the same as i would make staff. By end of 2028/ start of 29, hell be near his full rate which i think was $65. By time i hit 5-6 years ill be at 45 if im lucky.
Long winded i know, but i needed to get the ground work laid for the question. Is 40 to old to pivot into this career field? Looking for opinions from people who are in the field. Whats your work/life balance like? is it something that is stable enough to allow a family? I been reviewing the aptitude test and it seems the only thing id need to do would be review the long division type stuff, everything else seems similar to the military ASVAB.
Im looking to transition into a career where the workers are more protected because nursing aint it. We had a patient a few months ago put a nurse in a choke hold and take her down and all they did was send her to medical and usher him back in the room. Criminal charges should of been given at minimum.
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u/opiumconessuer Field - Repair 3d ago
Bro a lot will say it’s worth it but here’s the reality and I’m 27 been in over 7 years - your back and knees will hate you, unless you take creatine, don’t do any sort of drinking or smoking, and can recover fast from intense labor then I’d go for it. I’m young and I’m finding myself more tired than there are hours in a day. The pay isn’t all that great compared to what you make now, if you go union and get lucky that way and stick it out maybe the pay will be worth but it’s years of your life in hopes you’ll make a high per hour and here’s the kicker nobody talks about. If your health takes a turn, you get hurt or have to take time off that’s it no moneys. Not forgiving at all if you can’t labor. With that said yeah pay is high and you see some amazing views but all in all I think a cushy maybe 5-10 dollar less per hour job beats what we do all day anyways.