anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

tmiller027 · Sep 18, 2003

Originally posted by fallenangel76
Hello everyone,
I too, about 4 month ago, decided to change my career and pursue Nursing. I currently work in HR and hate it, I don't see a future in that field. I finally signed up for my 1st nursing pre-req - Human Anatomy. After 3 weeks of the class, I dropped it. Having to work full time, go to class at night, volunteer at a hospital on Friday mornings, just got to me. When I'm at work, I keep on thinking about school. When I'm at school, I keep on thinking about the work that still needs to be done. How do you guys do it? I NEED TO work and go to school, or else I can't afford my bills? How did you make yourself study? After being assigned 158 bones to memorize in 3 weeks, I gave up!! Now everynight I come back from work, I sit in my dark bedroom depressed. I thought that I had finally figured out a direction with my life and that I was pursing a profession that makes a difference, only to chicken out after 3 weeks. I also have a BS in Sociology, so I think I'm smart and I know that if I put my mind to it, I can make it. Any advice? Motivation? What do you guys think about all the negative remarks by current nurses about their work conditions? The thought of going from one thankless job (HR) to another thankless job (Nursing), is making me so doubtful and anxious.

Here's how I look at it. I'm also in my 3rd week of Anatomy 101, and basic Algebra. Both are hard, though I just got a B on an anatomy quiz and think I got about the same on the exam. Not to mention, our professor is like African and has a really thick accent making him nearly impossible to understand. But here's what I do:

As mentioned above, I HATE my job. So no matter how tired and frustrated I am, school is my escape. It's my light at the end of this long, dark tunnel I've been living in for the last 5 years. My hate for my current job, is my driving motivation for doing well in classes. The more I go, and the better I do, is less time that I'll have to go to work in my current job.

Tim

Dublin37 · Sep 19, 2003

Originally posted by fallenangel76
Hello everyone,
I too, about 4 month ago, decided to change my career and pursue Nursing. I currently work in HR and hate it, I don't see a future in that field. I finally signed up for my 1st nursing pre-req - Human Anatomy. After 3 weeks of the class, I dropped it. Having to work full time, go to class at night, volunteer at a hospital on Friday mornings, just got to me. When I'm at work, I keep on thinking about school. When I'm at school, I keep on thinking about the work that still needs to be done. How do you guys do it? I NEED TO work and go to school, or else I can't afford my bills? How did you make yourself study? After being assigned 158 bones to memorize in 3 weeks, I gave up!! Now everynight I come back from work, I sit in my dark bedroom depressed. I thought that I had finally figured out a direction with my life and that I was pursing a profession that makes a difference, only to chicken out after 3 weeks. I also have a BS in Sociology, so I think I'm smart and I know that if I put my mind to it, I can make it. Any advice? Motivation? What do you guys think about all the negative remarks by current nurses about their work conditions? The thought of going from one thankless job (HR) to another thankless job (Nursing), is making me so doubtful and anxious.

Hi fallen, I know there are a lot of people in these boards that do both. You might want to do the "search" at the top of the screen concerning that. Maybe you could take a more menial job that pays well but doesn't stick with you when you're home. Like waitressing, banquet worker etc. You can work nights and have your days open for classes/studying. I think anat is daunting at first, esp the bones! :confused: I did great in all the other parts of anat, but dang, those arm and leg bones all look alike! Just keep on keeping on, even if your failing. Drop it before it effects your GPA, and then when you take it the following semester (if you are) then it will be soooooo much easier! That's what I planned on doing in my combo class A & P (Anat & Physio) when I was failing, but surprize surprize, I PASSED somehow! :chuckle

Hang in there, don't be too tough on yourself! Just plug away, one little step at a time. I have been doing one at a time (classes), because I've got 2 kids and a husband to care for, plus I'm 41! but by-gum, I've actually made it through, and will start the RN program next fall. Now I will have to get myself through that!

Keep hanging in there if it's what you REALLY want! heather:D

LauraLou · Oct 10, 2003

Fallenangel76,

AP I is the most difficult class I have ever taken. I thought there was no way I could memorize all that information. It was overwhelming. I have never worked so hard in my life!

Once I got through that class, nothing else seemed that hard. I really enjoyed Microbiology, Chemistry isn't that bad and AP II has much less memorization than AP I. If you can hang in there for one semester, it will get better.

Make lots of notecards, buy an anatomy coloring book and go to open lab as often as possible. I also found making up stories or songs helped with memorization. For example, for the muscles of the inner thigh, "Indeed your P-cker is Long and Magnificant, Gracious" (Iliopsoas, Pectineus, Adductor longus, Adductor magnus, Gracilis). Silly and somewhat crude sayings were the easiest to remember!

You can make it through AP I. Don't let it keep you from realizing your dreams.

consideringRN · Oct 11, 2003

Fallenangel76,

I too have a wonderfully useful Bachelors Degree in Sociology! While it may have been a facsinating subject to study, the job practicality certainly isn't there. After a year of struggling to make ends meet, working at jobs that really didn't satisfy me, I went back into sales. I had worked at commission-based retail jobs since I was 16, up until I got my BA. So I took a job selling cars. Wow, that was fun and profitable! (clearly I am being sarcastic)

So, I quit. I was unemployed and took the first job offer that came my way as a recruiter for a travel-nurse agency. Now, nursing was NEVER something that I considered, but from talking to so many nurses, I actually started to feel a little jealous, like, "wow, I wish I had your job". The majority of nurses seem so happy with their jobs and even some of the complaints that I have heard have actually sounded more like fun challenges. I also got exposed to the specialty of psychiatric nursing, which is what I now what to pursue. I have been reading posts on this message board and many really make me feel confident that I can "make a difference" in nursing as I had indended to due with the Sociology degree. I might even be able to use some of what I learned with that degree in psychiatric nursing.

I can't sit at a desk for the rest of my life. I can't work 9-5, five days a week forever. I need to feel like my work is important, like I make a difference. I need room to grow. It really seems to me that nursing can offer me all of what I need from a career. I have sent for more information from my community college. I do need to work full time while I go to school too, but I will MAKE IT happen. I did 5 years for my BA while working full-time and I'll do it again. AND, I spent a lot more money on that degree than I will on this one. If you truely want it, you can and will do it.

leogoat · Oct 17, 2003

It's encouraging to hear so many people feel the same way I do. I worked in print design for over 16 years and couldn't stand sitting at the computer all day. It's never to late to start over. However, I recommend going for the Bachelor's at least. Nursing is the most versatile and rewarding career if you enjoy people and want to make a difference . . . and never be unemployed!

- best to you

dwoodruff, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Its terrible to be stuck in a job you hate. Nursing has SO much to offer, I saw go for it! You definately will not be bored, and the opportunities for lateral moves or advancement are endless. I never regret my decision to go into nursing.

Good luck in your endeavors,

David Woodruff, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN

Clinical Practice Expert

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Oct 22, 2003

Wow, it is amazing to see how many people are changing careers...

I myself am changing from a recently (May '03) graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor english writing. Lotta good that did

So, here I am, after graduating...I did manage to get a few job offers and even a job as a reporter, though they decided to "involuntarily terminate" me the day before my three month trial period - it was sweet of them.

Hence, I have decided to go back to school and begin taking the prereqs for a BSN in nursing...

Sometimes I wonder why I didn't pursue it in the first place since, while I was at the Jr College I attended I got EMT certification and took med. terminology and loved it.

tjello · Oct 27, 2003

I have a BA in English right now and work for a Direct Marketing company right now. BOOOOOOOOOOOOR-ING. And I hate not making a difference in ANYONE's life but the CEO's pocket. I have WAY too much energy to sit in a cubicle all day. So I, too have decided to pursue nursing. Believe me, there are cranky people in the coporate world too....and if I could just help one person in nursing it would be worth it to me.

Just out of curiousity...I have noticed a few negative comments about those of us changing careers later in life to nursing. Have any of you that seem to not be rewarded in the nursing career come from a corporate environment? Do you have anything to compare it with? Just wondering....need all the advice I can get. Positive or negative.

linfull · Oct 29, 2003

I have always thought about being a nurse, but always had a fear of needles, so ended up in medical records and doing transcription from my home. I have an associates in applied science and have finally decided it's my time to go for it. My father was in a hospice home and the entire time he was there, I kept thinking, "I would be so good at this job." It hit me that Hospice was my calling. I have been involved with Hopsice for my step-mom, grandfather and father. My husband is finishing up his schooling, my son will be in 1st grade in a year and I'm heading back to become an RN. I will only have 5 quarters and will graduate with my associates in nursing and will be eligable to test for RN. It helps that I know a few nurses who have also been pushing for me to do this. So far, they have been so supportive in telling me I can insert an IV. It will just take practice. I can't wait!

chihuahuagrl · Oct 30, 2003

I am also changing careers to become a nurse. I have a degree in Animal Science, and worked at an animal hospital for a few years. I was also a zookeeper for around 6 years (maybe that will be useful in dealing with unruly patients??) I lost my job a little over a year ago, and since then have been doing a lot of soulsearching. I kept coming back to medicine, and ended up looking into nursing. I am working on taking the prereq's and applying to the 2 yr ADN program next fall (it seems so far away!) This BB has been so helpful in reassuring me that I'm not too old to start this (I'm 28) and that even though I have a degree in another area, I can still follow my dreams (I plan on getting my BSN and then becoming a CRNA). Thanks so much to everyone for all of your help!

Micki

candi361 · Oct 31, 2003

I will be making a complete change too, have worked in the corporate world for 18 years, the last 12+ in sales and marketing. Ugh! I am so tired of sitting behind a desk, staring into a computer, surrounded by cubicle walls, always thinking about the next big sell.

As I mentioned in another thread here, I have wanted to be a nurse since I was 6. But my mom discouraged me from it and I didn't bring it up again. So I went on about my life -- building the aforementioned corp career, raising two children, and all the while thinking about nursing in the back of my head. It's only recently that I realized it truly is a calling for me and I need to do this.

I too have been encouraged by this board to give it a try inspite of feeling too old (36) and worrying about past health issues that could potentially slow me down (hbp controlled with meds). But I know in my heart that if I don't give it a chance, I'll always wonder what may have been if I had just followed through.

I'll be starting my pre-reqs in January and hope to be ready for the program by 2005. It seems so far away! But I'm excited anyway.

eng_nurse · Nov 2, 2003

You are not alone...

I have my MS in environmental engineering, worked 3 years in the field and got tired of the billable hours, etc. I love people and want a job where I can make a difference everyday. Nursing will let me do that everyday.

Many people have told me I am crazy to want to be a nurse, but I am following my heart. I have heard a lot of horror stories about the patient/nurse ratio, angry MDs, patients, etc. But I still want to be a nurse b/c no job is perfect.

But I was miserable as an engineer and every job has its problems. The difference with nursing is that I get to make a difference everyday and to me that is the most important.

I wish you lots of luck in your change of careers.

I am in an acclerated B.S.N. program and love it. It is hard at times, but I know at the end that I will be a nurse who will be making a difference in others lives.

:)