Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?

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I am thinking of going back to school to become an RN. My wife is an RN and like most nurses she does work hard, has her bad days, but also has some very rewarding days to go along with a decent salary and a stable job. I'm currently working as a computer programmer and have done so for about 10 years now but I feel like I'm treading water in my career and have for a few years lost some of my motiviation to keep going on my current career path. I see my wife's career and I see a lot to like in it. Like any career there are some disadvantages but she seems to enjoy it and finds it rewarding and having a decent salary and a stable job is never a bad thing. I'm wondering if others on here have made a mid-life career switch to nursing and how it has worked out.

I don't have any problems working nights, I quite enjoy it to be honest, some people can take to it others just find it disagrees with them

I moved from Electrical Engineering with Specialisation in Computer Science (so somewhat IT related and slightly freaked out by this thread!) to retrain and work in kid's nursing, I couldn't see me doing anything else, I'm in the only job I've ever had where a day at work can turn a bad day into a good one!

I just switched career fields from computers (was a Tech Manager) toward nursing. After a lot of fighting with schools I finally got accepted and will begin classes in August of 2006. Totally excited to be underway as I used to be a medic in the military prior to my computer gig. I jumped into computers when it was hot for the money and because I was good at it as well as being good in medicine. Wish I had never done that now, but here is my second chance. I'm 33 years old, and I'm switching my career field completely...will it be easy no, will it be worth it absolutely. The computer field dried up in my area like it did in many places around the US, but nurses will always be ing demand...not only that nursing let's you specialize...after I get my BSN I can't wait to apply to a CRNA program...but that is a whole other topic :wink2:

I also switched from management to nursing at the ripe young age of 56. I was an army medic decades ago. Now in my 2nd semester of nursing program after a year of prereqs. It's hard as hell but well worth it!

Good luck!

Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I also switched from management to nursing at the ripe young age of 56. I was an army medic decades ago. Now in my 2nd semester of nursing program after a year of prereqs. It's hard as hell but well worth it!

Good luck!

hsg1 - Thanks for your military service as a Medic! BTW, when you pass your nsg brds & become gainfully employed as an RN I'd bet your patients will think you've been a nurse for many years. Why tell them any different, unless they ask. ;)

Specializes in Extern so far....

Hey Noodles, I graduated w/ an EE degree and worked in the IT field for 3+ yrs. I am in my 1st year (or junior yr) of nursing school and it is scary and exciting at the same time. Tests are tests but then ya have to do the pratical stuff and that can get somewhat scary to begin but after doing it, very rewarding. I hope I do well enough to get through it all. But, ya, I do not regret it. I prayed about it and checked w/ family and friends. Most were lukewarm but hey, it's all on me anyway in the end. Or for you, you and your wife. Give it a try!

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