Are you a nurse? Do you enjoy your job?

Life question: I'm 23 and have a decent job..School? Or give up my job?

• I am 23 years old. I have a high school diploma. I graduated in 2007. I have a decent job, making a little under 40k year. However, I'm not happy, I don't feel fulfilled. I don't like my job. I see all of my friends graduating, living their lives, being 20 year olds, while in the meantime since high school I have been working full time. I have always wanted to be a nurse. I finally took the steps to enroll at a community college full time in the Fall 2012. I have been offered a part time job working in a medical physicians office being a medical receptionist/medical assistant. The job that I work at now is ABSOLUTELY not related to medical field AT ALL. When it comes to Fall 2012 I do have to cut down to part time regardless. I am just wondering if it is worth it for me to give up this job that I make good money at, or go to a medical related job part time that pays not even half of my salary now, enjoy my Summer, and begin my medical education in the Fall. I would love some opinions or stories about people who have thought or acted on giving up their job that they make good money at, but are not happy and instead did something they were passionate about, even if it didn't pay nearly as much. I am 23, I only have a car payment, car insurance, cell phone bill, and gym memberships to pay. I just want some opinions on if I'm making the right decision. PS - I work at a car dealership right now.

• Answer:

  It is very, very hard right now to get a job as a medical assistant/medical receptionist. There are a ton of people coming out of school trying to get those jobs, and not getting them - and you got it. Fabulous. It shows that your idea of working right out of HS, and gaining a certain admin skill set, was an excellent one. You're in demand. Nice. No matter what, absolutely go to nursing school in the fall. As for whether you should switch jobs - I'm thinking that, at age 23, switching is worth the risk. Yes, you will take a pay cut, but at this point in your life, you're not in so much debt yet, you didn't mention having kids... so you can probably handle the pay cut. And this new job will give you some exposure to the medical field, which will help you in your studies. And it might be something you like a bit better than the job in the car dealership. I'm thinking you should take the risk and make the switch, despite the pay cut. But you really need to think about this one, as you are doing. How much do you hate your current job? How much money do you realistically need to support yourself during your nursing program? Those things will need to factor in.