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| No. 20 | 
Nov 24, 2005, 03:08 PM
 Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
I am a junior in a 4 year nursing program. I decided to try to become a nurse because life has finaly convinced me of what really matters. I put a 20+ year career as a CEO aside, along with my MBA and went back to shool for an education in how to help people, rather than how to make $$ from them. So far, it has been both difficult and rewarding. Learning to express emotions and learn from the process has been the most difficult part. My upbringing was a combination of keep a stiff upper lip, and children should be seen and not heard - yes I am of that generation. Now I find myself wanting to do pediatrics, as interacting with these youngsters and helping make their "ouchies" and "owies" better is showing me that I missed my entire childhood having always been expected to be an adult since I was 8 years old. I am an old dog, but I seem to be learning usefull new tricks everyday in nursing school. So far, so good. The only thing I really miss is being in charge, but I am getting over it slowly. It is also quite difficult not being able to really fit in, as I stand out of the crowd of 19 and 20 year olds. Being visible does have advantages though, as it is always easy to ask for extra help with things that are not comming easy with the work (first time I ever had to make a bed for someone else). I think you will find a career change rewarding if your heart is in it. If you do things for $$, then there will always be an easier way to make that buck and life will become a grind. Just my experience.
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Nov 25, 2005, 12:05 AM
 Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it? Originally Posted by royr I am a junior in a 4 year nursing program. I decided to try to become a nurse because life has finaly convinced me of what really matters. I put a 20+ year career as a CEO aside, along with my MBA and went back to shool for an education in how to help people, rather than how to make $$ from them. So far, it has been both difficult and rewarding. Learning to express emotions and learn from the process has been the most difficult part. My upbringing was a combination of keep a stiff upper lip, and children should be seen and not heard - yes I am of that generation. Now I find myself wanting to do pediatrics, as interacting with these youngsters and helping make their "ouchies" and "owies" better is showing me that I missed my entire childhood having always been expected to be an adult since I was 8 years old. I am an old dog, but I seem to be learning usefull new tricks everyday in nursing school. So far, so good. The only thing I really miss is being in charge, but I am getting over it slowly. It is also quite difficult not being able to really fit in, as I stand out of the crowd of 19 and 20 year olds. Being visible does have advantages though, as it is always easy to ask for extra help with things that are not comming easy with the work (first time I ever had to make a bed for someone else). I think you will find a career change rewarding if your heart is in it. If you do things for $$, then there will always be an easier way to make that buck and life will become a grind. Just my experience.
Royr, you are a man after my own heart....glad to have you in the fold. It is a great thing to have a new student/nurse come on board who already has had plenty of life experience and has learned for oneself that $$$ and power isn't all what it is cracked up to be. It is what we can give unto others via our talents, our experience, and of ourselves that matter the most. Excellent that you are choosing Peds. Young kids, especially nowadays, often need to see and experience for themselves that men can be giving, nurturing, and just plain good men...a corrective experience which may be lacking in their own environments. My hat's off to you, my friend. We need more men like you. Good luck in the remainder of your program.
Wolfie
| | No. 22 |
Nov 25, 2005, 09:46 PM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
I was in the US Navy for years, and then I got out and joined teh US Coast Guard,a nd now I'm a militray corpman,and I'm currently in college working on my pre-req,s for nursing.
| | No. 23 |
Nov 26, 2005, 12:44 AM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
Glad to see more men coming into the fold....from all walks of life and experience. We have plenty of room....and plenty to give...our knowledge, our personal experience, and our expertise.
| | No. 24 |
Nov 26, 2005, 09:36 AM
 Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
What is the perctanage of black male nurses in the field? Here in texas I hardly see any black male nurses? Does any know if there is a strong recruitment to recruit minorities for nursing school?
| | No. 25 |
Nov 26, 2005, 06:30 PM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
My first career was an aircraft electrician [USMC & Civilian], then started college [at age 32] with goal of becoming a nurse. First, chose Surgical Technology [Scrub Tech] career field d/t the ADN waiting list was too long. Yet, while taking Surg Tech prereq courses also took ADN & BSN prereqs. One year after completing ST program I received a call from ADN program wanting know if I was still interested. So, I worked fulltime [64hrs/pay period] as a CST while going to ADN program. Four years later enrolled into online RN-BSN program, and two years later able to claim title as a BSN. BTW, I was a single-parent w/2 sons while in ST & ADN programs.
I've always been on the side of the under dog, thus enjoy helping out others. Plus, I find the human body fascinating. I wish I'd gotten into the health care field a long time ago. Yet, IMHO male nurses are more readily accepted in recent times. - Nursing Experience; Telemetry Floor, Intensive Care Unit [Civilian & USAR Nurse Corps], OR RN [Circulate/ Scrub]
- Health Care Degrees; AAS in Surgical Technology 1995, AAS in Nursing [ADN] 1998, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2004
| | No. 26 |
Nov 26, 2005, 06:42 PM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it? Originally Posted by dlhall What is the percentage of black male nurses in the field? Here in texas I hardly see any black male nurses? Does any know if there is a strong recruitment to recruit minorities for nursing school?
Where in Texas are you? I've seen a few black male nurses at Seton Medical Center [Austin] & Brooke Army Medical Center [San Antonio]. Mostly, asians & hispanics [males & females] are the ethnic minority nurses in the hospitals I mentioned.
I have no idea if the nursing schools in Central/So Texas have a focused recruiting theme. As far as I know, they just want qualified applicants.
BTW, good luck with your prereqs & I look forward to having you as a male nursing peer someday.  | | No. 27 |
Nov 26, 2005, 11:38 PM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
Thanks Corvette
I live in Houston,Texas and I hope to you have you as a peer too.
| | No. 28 |
Nov 28, 2005, 12:16 PM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
Wow, hat's off to you guys who switched careers to nursing. I started college as pre-physical therapy, and switched to BSN the 3rd day of classes. I was just thinking the other day about the reasons I decided on nursing. THen in hit me. Where else can I save a baby's life in the delivery room, or have tears well up with pride when my 25-week preemie patient goes home after months fighting for his life on my unit? NO Where else!! The field of nursing is very broad, allowing you to pursue flight/trauma, cardiac, critical care, neonatology, pediatrics, emergency care, almost whatever you want! I currently work in a Level III Neonatal ICU and love it. I miss ER once in a while, and may go back to that as a break, but I'm sure I'll miss my scrawny little preemies!!  | | No. 29 |
Nov 29, 2005, 02:12 AM
Re: Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?
Glad I read this thread, cuz a lot of the others make nursing sound hellish...I'm 48, just about to start an ADN prog, and wondering if I'm insane...I like the subject matter, but I don't know about the reality of it all.
Not in it for the money, and wonder if when the time comes, I'll even be able to find a job where I can work 4 or 6 hour shifts, 35 hrs. a week max. Maybe that doesn't exist...well, I WILL find my niche  |
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