anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

JenW · Nov 3, 2003

I'm in the same boat! I have a bachelors degree in Anthropology and I've been in the insurance industry (not even using my degree) for the past 5 years. I HATE IT! I just recently decided to pursue nursing. The medical field has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I'm a wife and a mother so it wasn't something I thought I could begin....and then all of a sudden my local community college started offering a part-time program for people just like me. YEAH! I decided now is the time to start realizing that dream and just go for it.

Dublin37 · Nov 4, 2003

Originally posted by JenW
I'm a wife and a mother so it wasn't something I thought I could begin....and then all of a sudden my local community college started offering a part-time program for people just like me. YEAH! I decided now is the time to start realizing that dream and just go for it.

I'm here in S. CA, and NO ONE BUT NO ONE has a part time plan at any of the colleges, community or otherwise!! I would Love that!! So it's like do or die for 2 years! That makes me more nervous than what I'm doing. I've got two kids, and I stress out about them feeling ignored/unloved! Ooooh the guilt!

candi361 · Nov 4, 2003

I don't know where you are in So Cal, but there actually is a part time nursing degree program at San Bernardino Valley College. It takes 8 semesters to complete, evenings and weekends. But I plan to bite the bullet and get it done in the standard 2 years if I can. It scares me as well to think about my kids feeling ignored! They are very supportive right now but of course, they don't realize what's ahead... :eek:

Dr. Mak · Nov 4, 2003

Amy, dear, I do not think anyone who uses the word "totally" as much as you do should never approach any career that has anything to.....edited by moderator..... I do not mean to hurt you, I am just a cynical and painfully critical person.

Worthy · Nov 7, 2003

Count me in!

I am 33 years old. I've been around hospitals all my life - my dad is CEO of one in my hometown. My dad didn't relate well to kids (parents divorced), so for fun he would let us hang out at the hospital. It was a trip to the Palliative care unit every Christmas to visit with the patients there!

Alas, I wasn't a great student then, and when the decision came to whether to be a nurse, or to follow my artistic side, the lack of math skills prompted me to take the artistic route. I ended up working for a large Record label for five years.

I get somewhat annoyed with the "you don't know what it's like in the real world" posts that appear on this site, aimed at new students. Yes, I DO know what it's like. Don't assume I haven't done my research - it's condescending and you cannot judge a persons ability or drive from a five sentence post.

After five years of the music biz, and the accompanying egos, poor pay, overwork etc. I hung out with some Very Famous People, but at the end of the day I drove a ten year old car, was eating Pasta every day and bought my clothes at Wal-mart. I packed it in to work for a transportation company five years ago. I now do payroll and office work.

Office work, for me, is tedious. The ideal - and the real world - in Transportation is often like the world of nursing. I don't get lunches. My vacation time is dictated to me. I don't get breaks. I sometimes work 60 hour weeks, on a salary that does not pay overtime. I am verbally abused by some of the drivers we employ (not all, of course). I have been sworn at, yelled at, had things thrown at me. The owner of the company wants to fire all the diabetic employees because they are "sucking the company benefit plan dry"....do you see where I am going with this?

Well, I'd sure as hell rather be doing something I want, rather than something that just pays the bills, and be abused :) So I've enrolled part time for nursing school. I suffer from tremendous lack of self esteem, but seem to be doing well - I consistently get grades in the mid-80's - so I think I can do it :)

I never, ever want to be in my retirement years and saying "what if....?" So I'm doing despite all the negativity. If it doesn't work out, it wasn't meant to be. But I KNOW I can do it :)

Good luck to all of us!!!

kelticfairy · Nov 10, 2003

I just recently put my application into school for nursing and told my bosses that most likely I am leaving next fall. I have been hear for two years planning events sitting in front of this computer and finally decided, why not. I am very excited and very scared. Good luck to you. :)

victorious53 · Nov 19, 2003

I have been working in the corporate world in law offices for way too many years. After getting my bachelors degree i thought i wanted to go to law school. so i applied, got into all the schools i applied to, but decided i didn't want to spend all that money to do something that i knew deep down inside i didn't want to do. i have always had a passion towards something in medicine but don't want to do the med school thing either. but when i think about nursing i get a really good feeling inside, maybe because i am a natural caretaker. anyway, i am a working adult and have not been able to find a program that will allow me to work and pursue a nursing lisence at the same time. i currently live in california but will be relocating to the fort worth, texas area in probably less than 6 months so i didn't want to apply to a nursing program here. i know there are community colleges that offer nursing programs but is there any way to begin taking some of the required courses prior to applying to nursing school? i support you amy in following your heart and your dream, because i am doing the same thing. don't let any one or anything discourage you. the coporate work environment leaves much to be desired and i need much more stimulation that sitting in front of a computer, reading documents, reviewing briefs, etc. anyone out there who can steer me in the right direction - i would appreciate any and all input.

victorious53 · Nov 19, 2003

i forgot to say in my earlier post that my degree is in biblical and theological studies, with a minor in applied professional studies. i have been working in law forever and i have to get out and do something more rewarding, rewarding by my standards, not anyone else's. if there is anyone out there who knows of a part-time, on-line, registered nursing program in the fort worth, tx area, and/or who can give me some information on how to go about looking for a program or point me in the right direction i would sure love it. i'm finding i am not alone by just reading the posts on this board. good luck everyone.

maelee · Nov 20, 2003

good luck in shifting.

victorious53 · Nov 20, 2003

actually my comments were directed to amy who just got into nursing school. however, thank you so much for your comments regarding what you are doing in nursing and your words of encouragement. in just one day i was actually able to get some information regarding nursing schools in the fort worth texas area where my husband and i will be relocating to within the next 4 - 6 months. i feel in my heart this is the thing i really want to do and i know that i will have that sense of satisfaction i have been looking for and have not found working in the corporate world. i think the job you are doing is incredible because a lot of people would not necessarily lean towards people who are emotionally, mentally, and psyciatrically challenged. god bless you! thanks again. i do have a question for you though, is it possible to work full time and go to nursing school part time, or are all the nursing programs full time making it impossible to work?

fisherman · Nov 20, 2003

I'm an LPN who is starting the Excelsior AD Program. Can anyone who has been through the program recommend a place to get cheap books? I'm willing to purchase your books if they're current and currently used by Excelsior. Thanks soooo much for your time! D.

victorious53 · Nov 20, 2003

Ther e is are some websites "booksamillion.com" and "half.com" where you can find books way below what they are selling them in bookstores. I have purchased many textbooks in the past from booskamillion.com and someone told me about half.com but i have not purchased from them yet. you get your books pretty quickly too.