Getting discouraged...Encouragement or Reality Check?

First of all, let me say I love this website! I'm a bit addicted- check it out almost daily! AND sorry for the long post...

To start off let me say that I'm not sure if what I really need is some encouragement, or a reality check. I graduated from college with a BA in Communication in 2009. Now, I work in a job that a lot of my peers consider "cool" (working for a well known organic skin care company) but I personally find VERY unrewarding- and I hate (since Day 1) the office lifestyle. After college graduation, I traveled abroad and was inspired by the healthcare professionals I met who worked for Doctors without Borders. I began volunteering at my local hospital- the PACU adult and peds. I love it. The nurses are all so intelligent and it feels like I'm making a difference (even if I am only bringing a patient a blanket or changing linens, etc). I've heard from nurses that this a "dream" nurse job (Mon-Fri, less patients, etc) so I know the real world of nursing may mean night shifts, running around like crazy, TONS of hard work, etc- but i'm not scared, I know I can do it!

Getting into nursing school has been incredibly daunting! I live in SC currently and will be moving to Nashville in Dec.- ideally would like to work in a patient care setting but I have a job with a friend's business if I can't find one. Anyone who has been through the getting into nursing school cycle knows it can be tough! Tons of red-tape, paperwork, and lots of time waiting, etc. It seems like every school in TN wants something different! I'm moving there because my long term boyfriend has a job offer, I've only been to Nashville twice. It's extremely difficult exploring schools (online) in a town you don't even really know! He is taking the job, and we have to move. ALSO, my family has been incredibly discouraging about going to nursing school. They think I should be happy with my job & work on paying off my student loans (almost 20k). I am paying them off, but should I really do something I'm not happy with forever? I've heard of nurses being able to work shifts with differentials or overtime, apply the extra income to their loan and pay it off.

To sum it up, I have been making all A's in my nursing pre reqs (Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology, etc) and think I would make a great nurse! BUT i'm VERY concerned about taking out more loans! I know the loan repayment programs are drying up quick. I'm also scared of going back to school and not being able to get a job! In addition, as much as I love Allnurses.com; some of the nurses (not all) can be very discouraging! Sometimes, I find myself crying just thinking I'm making the wrong decision after reading the Allnurses posts- it seems like many people on Allnurses.com hate their job OR can't find jobs at all! My aunt who is a nurse and two girlfriends who are nurses all love there jobs (one works in the ER, my aunt is a nurse educator/works in the NICU, and the other is in oncology). I feel like if there is a time to change careers, it is now- when I don't have many bills, no kids, not married thus a less drastic lifestyle change. Am I right?

My Questions:
Am I crazy for trying to go back to school?
Why do so many nurses (on this site) seem to hate their jobs?
Is it any easier for a BSN grad to find a job than a ADN grad? Esp. in middle TN (Nashville area)
Any advice on schools/getting into programs in Nashville?
Any advice on getting a job in a hospital or patient care setting in Nashville?
Any encouragment?

THANK YOU!!!
I think you need a little of both -- encouragement and a reality check.1. Encouragement -- You seem to be reasonable in the way you are thinking about nursing. You're getting some volunteer experience. You understand your work hours a new grad will probably not be the same hours you see in the PACU, etc. I think your thoughts of becoming a nurse are not crazy.2. Reality check -- You are $20,000.00 in debt from your last educational program. You need to pay that debt off before you incur more educational debt. Cut back your expenses dramatically NOW and make big push to get that debt paid off in a year or two. (Live like a college student -- in a small apartment. Don't go out to eat at restaurants. Don't take a vacation. Don't buy new clothes. Cut back on entertainment expenses. etc. etc. etc. LIVE REALLY CHEAP -- and pay off that debt before you do something really stupid and jeopardize your financial future.)There is nothing wrong with delaying your nursing education long enough to secure your finances first. Use the year or two to keep volunteering and learning more about nursing careers. Then, when you are financially ready to return to school ... you'll be ready in every way to succeed.Good luck to you.
Quote from TNnursehopeful After college graduation, I traveled abroad and was inspired by the healthcare professionals I met who worked for Doctors without Borders. I began volunteering at my local hospital- the PACU adult and peds. I love it. The nurses are all so intelligent and it feels like I'm making a difference (even if I am only bringing a patient a blanket or changing linens, etc). I've heard from nurses that this a "dream" nurse job (Mon-Fri, less patients, etc) so I know the real world of nursing may mean night shifts, running around like crazy, TONS of hard work, etc- but i'm not scared, I know I can do it!My Questions:Am I crazy for trying to go back to school? Why do so many nurses (on this site) seem to hate their jobs?Is it any easier for a BSN grad to find a job than a ADN grad? Esp. in middle TN (Nashville area)Any advice on schools/getting into programs in Nashville?Any advice on getting a job in a hospital or patient care setting in Nashville?Any encouragment? THANK YOU!!!