u/Familiar-Beat-9380

Is becoming a nurse worth it in 2026?

I’m 30 years old and currently work as a CNA/HUC in a hospital. I’ve been considering going back to school for my ADN and eventually becoming an RN, but I’m trying to make sure I’m making the right decision before taking on the time, stress, and cost of nursing school.

For those of you who are nurses:

• If you could do it all over again, would you still become a nurse?
• What do you love most about the job?
• What do you dislike most?
• Was the increase in pay worth the responsibility and stress?
• How is your work-life balance?
• What specialty do you work in?

I’d especially love to hear from people who became nurses later in life or who worked as CNAs before becoming RNs.

Thanks for any honest advice—good or bad!