Ok, so it's been 10 years since I was active on this forum (and I used to be pretty darn active! You all helped me through some tough times, and even got my sweet dog back to me when I left him in Florida and moved to Tennessee!) which is about how long I didn't own horses! Well, I went to school, got a great job, and finally got myself a barrel horse again. Life is pretty darn good. 

That being said, I'm tired of my hours. I work as a night shift ER nurse and while the pay is pretty good and helps support my habit, I kinda want out. It's miserable. I'm tired of working weekends, I'm tired of working overnights and being too tired to go ride, and I'm tired of not being able to take the weekends off to go to barrel races. It's a struggle. I'm ready for a steady Monday through Friday gig where I can be home every night and maybe even go ride in the evenings. 

Now, I know you have to work hard and make sacrifices to have what you want, and I'm more than willing to do that. But I'm also pretty young (30 next month) and I don't want to stay in a career that I don't like. I don't live to work, I work to live, but having a career that somewhat fulfills me is key. 

I'm single, no kids, just the one horse, and still rent. I have no desire to own a home right now, and my board is stupid inexpensive for what I have. 

What are all of you doing for a living that supports this wonderuflly bad habit we all love so much? Just looking for options, ideas, and want to know what everyone else has to do to live this horse life.  

It's hard to beat bankers hours.

I’m a dental hygienist and have several friends that are too that are barrel racers.

It's my understanding that most private dental practices are a Monday thru Friday thing. Half day Friday at most. I tried like heck to get into a dental office about 6 years ago as office manager. I loved my 4 day week back in Colorado. What's another 2 hours when you're already there and tired and then to have 3 days off always! 

Dental hygenists make some good bank in our area too. Probably pretty good money almost anywhere. 

Good luck with your choices. You are young enough to change track and make a go of it. And you'll always have your nursing degree and experience to fall back onto if needed. 

Why don't you work at a Dr's office or clinic?  I know some people that work 4 days a week. 8-5.  Using the degree that you have.  Or maybe office management in that field? 

Tha'ts kind of the route I've been thinking of taking. Definitely scouring job boards for something like that. I didn't get into nursing for the people (I know that sounds awful, but I knew I wanted something that would give me a job for life, so using my degree is definitely an option, as long as I can get out of the hospital/acute care setting. 

A good place in our area is surgery centers.  You work usually 6.30 am to 2 pm.  Intense,  but usually Fridays off. 

If you enjoy nursing, how about a regular doctor office or a school nurse or medical administraion?

I am the Safety Assistant for a trucking company, I make sure our company and drivers are compliant with DOT reulations.  I'll never be rich, but it has paid the bills for the last 13 years, and I absolutely love my co-workers and my working environment.  I can wear my jeans and boots to work and I have a 20 minute commute thru the woods.  I could commute 2 hours downtown or go to a larger company and double my salary, but it's just not worth it to me. 

School nurse is at the top of my list, actually. I LOVE that idea. They are hard to come by though, so when they pop up, they don't last long.

I'm also not opposed to something outside of the medical field, I'm well versed in reasons why I might want to get out of it and try something new. I don't need to be rich, I just want to be able to enjoy the life I'm making for myself. 

IF you have time in your schedule, you might sign up to substitute nurse with the school district - that way your name is on their radar when something comes open.  That's how my friend got her foot in the door with the school - she was a hospice nurse for years, now she is a nurse at one of the schools.

Good Luck to you!!!

I'm self employed, and own a residential housecleaning company. I do all the work myself, and I absolutely love it. I used to work a regular 8-5 desk job, but couldn't sit all day, and was bored. My start up costs were very low, and I can make my own hours, and I enjoy what I do. My rate is $35/hr. 95% of my customers pay in cash. 

As a nurse, i too understand the burnout feeling. Im tired as well! I worked nightshift on a med surg unit for 4 years and i had my fill. Nursing in general pays well but the way people treat you and the work load in unsafe and insane now. We are trying to keep corporate happy instead of being able to take care of our patients. I switched to a M-F job and only work half day on Friday. Im bored out of my mind but the pay is good and so are the hours.

Yes!! It's unsafe, especially in the inner city ER that I work in. We constantly have violent patients, psychotic patients, shootings, stabbings, etc. We scream to the heavens about our own safety but management only cares about numbers and patient satisfaction. I'm ready to be out, and I've only been in for 2 years. I was a CNA for 3 years, so a total of 5 years in the health care industry and I have had enough. 

What are you doing these days?

I went to the dark side and work in the administration side of quality care.

My sister is a nurse and she works for surgery center. Most weekends off, rarely on call. 

I am a vet. I don't think I would recommend it if you want a better quality of life with less time working, unless you went into small animal or had a spouse who could support the household and you didn't HAVE to work the hours we do. Just being honest...and sad LOL. If I did my own thing I could work my own hours but if I worked my own hours not sure how busy I would be or how much money I would make. 

My momma would've disagreed with that!!!

but easy to beat bankers pay. . .

I loved working at the bank. I was a teller then loan processor, eventually would of moved up to loan officer but the pay just wasn't worth it.

I still don't make a ton, but I get 4 weeks vacation and a week of sick time every year (vacation rolls over), and my office is really flexible, plus my dog comes to work with me every day!

I'm an accounting clerk. 

I work in equipment sales, I LOVE IT. Monday - Friday no weekends ever and great pay. 

My momma was VP; made good money.   But she was usually at work by 7:30 and sometimes not home til 7 or later.   She wasn't one of those "I'm upper level management so I can do what I want"---she took the bank's business personally and worked hard.   Started at the bottom as a teller and worked up to President of the main bank's subsidiary/VP of the main bank.  I'm very proud of her. . . . 

I worked in the medical field for several years. Got tired of it. Now I'm self employed and build fence. Yes, I work harder but I'm alot happier and make WAY more money.