Wife was a high-end court reporter in Washington, DC. She got me to quit my old day job to stay at home and run all the admin aspects of her business -- with my help she could increase her output even further, spending more time in the field. But court reporting is a burnout job, similar to being a professional athlete. Practiced at its highest levels it's neurologically debilatating. I've never seen ANY reporter last longer than 20 years. Working at that pace, it was much shorter. She confessed to me after a 10-year run that she was fried and couldn't write any more, needed to retire (at age 38). So her suggestion was that I go to nursing school (it only took an associates degree in that day and age) as a quick start career. Had no idea it would be a calling or anything like that, but the idea made sense. So I did it and began my nursing career at age 40. I've been at it for 20 years now ....