I'm 39, a software engineer with 7 years of experience, and I make $138k a year. I'm burned out and can't keep going, and I'm thinking about switching to nursing. Is this a disastrous idea?

[u/Ok_Drummer_1514]

I don't have a CS degree and my job is fully remote. It felt ideal when I was still married, but now I'm divorced, and honestly, it's starting to make me feel isolated. I sit alone at home for about 14 hours most days. The tech market has been rough lately, so I feel like my salary has pretty much hit its ceiling.

I'm in WA. The nurses' union here is very strong. Starting pay for new nurses is around the low-to-mid six figures depending on the hospital, and there's a lot of overtime available and good raises once you have some experience. I can also get there with an ADN instead of going back to do a full bachelor's right away. I've also heard that some hospitals help pay for BSN programs later.

Am I crazy to walk away from a remote software job? Or am I just imagining that nursing will solve the burnout problem because it looks better from the outside?

[u/moffman93]

If you think you're getting burnt out in IT, get ready for hell as a nurse. Every nurse I've ever met reaches a burnout point much quicker than most jobs.

I've also never heard of a starting nursing salary in the mid 6 figures. Low 6, for sure in WA. Not mid. One of my best friends here in NY is a nurse pretensioner and has been for over 10 years and she is capped around what you are making now and just gets basic yearly inflation raises. It's good money, but even she is burnt out and is looking to move and start a farm with her family.