I thought I would post this here, being XY and all. I'm changing careers, going into nursing from chiropractic. Most friends and family are supportive. One friend, though, thinks I'll be unhappy because I will no longer be a "decision maker" and no longer be called "Dr.". Frankly, I don't think either of those things will be an issue.

I know some of you out there have changed careers to nursing. What has been your experience compared to your previous life? Any advice?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
I am currently in LPN school, Im 42 and changing careers. ITS AWESOME. But I think its more about what YOUR comfort zone is. You know, some people love change (ENFP's - Myers Briggs) and others avoid it like needle sticks!!! I would think as long as uv a sense of humor, never caught on to the 'god-complex'...that you will do just fine. I just joined this site this week and I find that everyone here seems to be very supportive. Nursing really does bond a certain species of us who are caring and compassionate people by nature. Since most everyone here is like that, then its a great place to vent, hang, and look for a boost. Don't worry, youve made a good move! What type of schooling are you into now? What do you think your passion might be?
Deb

Hi Deb,

No 'god-complex' to be sure! I'm going to be in an accelerated 2nd degree BSN program starting in July. Right now I'm taking some pre-reqs necessary to go from being "conditionally accepted" to just plain old "accepted". I like change (INFP), too...maybe too much. I really don't know what my nursing passion will be since I don't have any real life experience yet. The closest I've come is changing trauma wound dressings on human relatives and taking fish hooks out of dog lips (and liked it!) :chuckle With the training I have anything to do with neuro or ortho has been easy. But, I think what I want to do in nursing may be something entirely different.

What did you do before LPN school?

Dave

Edit: To be true to the Male Nursing form sticky above, I am looking for how men have handled the career shift from something where maybe you were the authority figure to nursing, where I'm sure you weren't the authority figure at first.

I sold timeshare in Orlando Fla. making about 60K annually. It was fun and I was totally in control. I lean towards that so I MAY end up in home healthcare where I am more in control of how my day is 'set up' ...from what Ive read however, it seems it doesnt always turn out that way. We have in our class of 36, 5 men who seem to be doing well. All of them over 25 so I imagine this is not their first career choice either. BTW, nurses make lots of decisions! ;-P

I m thinking of changing careers also . I am in my 20s but I have adegree in Information Systems and even half of a MBA finished

But I see the job market is awful

So i am also thinking bout changing to nursing..I am just soooooo confused now
can any of you guys help me out

its helpful to get advice from other males

Hey DCdave, your comment about making decisions? I dont think you understand what a RN really does in the hospital setting then. If you have issues about your title, then dont be a nurse.

Okay, so I'm not a guy, but nursing was a career change for me at 30. I have a Marketing degree that I got right out of high school, but I got burnt out on business. Now I'm a charge nurse. You still get to make a lot of decisions in nursing, and have people "under" you, but as long as you don't act like you are "above" them, treat them nicely and respect their opinions/observations, you'll be fine. The only problem you might have is not overstepping your boundries when you go from what you do now to nursing. I started out in the RN program, but decided to get my LPN first, and it was hard at first to know how to do IV push meds and PICC lines and not be able to do them. I could do them as an RN student, but not as an LPN.

My experience with males nurses has been very positive. Of course there have been a few cocky ones, but for the most part, the ones I have dealt with have been very compassionate and are wonderful with patients.

Originally Posted by patrick1rn

Hey DCdave, your comment about making decisions? I dont think you understand what a RN really does in the hospital setting then. If you have issues about your title, then dont be a nurse.

That had to do with a comment made to me by a close friend. I think he was concerned about my going from a position of deciding treatment plans (such as they are in chiropractic) for patients to implementing treatment plans for patients. I'm still a pre-nursing student and there's tons I don't know about being an RN. What I've learned here, in class and from RN's I've spoken to, I like. As far as my title, I don't care too much what I'm called, accept maybe "late for dinner".

Thanks for the replies. I'm really enjoying this board. So many areas to explore.

Dave