Career Changers

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · May 27, 2014

You're still young. I know someone who went from attorney to nurse. Accountant to nurse is not that far off. Follow your heart. Your GPA is good, just keep maintaining that in the science courses and you will be fine! You may find your accounting skills working for you in the future as a nurse manager. Who knows what the future holds?!

Peanut&Buttercup · May 28, 2014

Trust me, you don't want to wake up every day 10/20 years from now thinking "I only have to make it another 35/25 years 'til retirement."

I start an ADN program in the fall, at age 43.

CajunShrimp84 · May 28, 2014

Do it while you can!! I have worked in so many different places from real estate/title exam, Hooters girl, oilfield pumper, to accounts payable! I have ALWAYS wanted to be a nurse & just started college for the first time at the age of 28. I wish I would have done it long ago!! But I will say that you & I both at least have seen "the real world" of working, rather than going straight to college/nursing school at 18. I think having that life experience has made me appreciate education a lot more.

mrsgraham521 · May 28, 2014

Hi there!!!

Your post peeked my interest because I am going through the same thing, I too am working in Finance, & have been for almost 10 years. I'm torn because, though I know how to do the work, I'm completely unsatisfied (I am also a child of relative accountants). I took (1 pre-req) Microbiology and got a B, and I actually LOVED that class.

However, my fear is, what if I'm still unsatisfied with Nursing?! Is that even possible? I hear how even though Nursing is NO walk in the park, it will be rewarding! Unlike you, my clock is ticking as I just turned 33, but still nervous about "the big jump" which is Nursing.

Can a few RN's & LPN's chime in & answer this...."What are some daily activities that a Nurse participates in that gives you joy & pushes you to go to work the next day??" (Confirming your career choice, knowing that you HAVE made a difference in someone's life)

Because, I can tell you this for sure.....These spreadsheets are mind-numbing.

I am a social introvert, & love helping, caring, & leading others.

How can we be sure that Nursing will fill the void, & be sure we don't get stuck again after the additional schooling that Nursing requires?

(I also have my CNA/GNA, & everrrryone says "you don't want to work in a Nursing Home, which further discourages me)....but anything is better than endless meetings, & excel sheets, even if I have to cut my pay in half....which we DEFINITELY will do...(for starters/entry level anyways), but what's a career changer to do??

Sincerely, Torn between 2 careers. :-/

MrsICURN14 · May 28, 2014

We have a similar background :)

I graduated with a BBA in Business Economics in 2008 and started working for a major bank at a corporate office as a fiduciary tax accountant. I did that about 3 years and decided I couldn't sit behind a cube for the rest of my life.

I went home one day, told my husband I think I want to be a nurse. I wanted to do something that made a difference, and that was bigger than myself. That was in September, and I spent the next few months researching nursing programs and finally picked a BSN program. I quit my job in December and started my pre-reqs in January.

I never missed a beat, and I graduated a few weeks ago. It was without a doubt the best choice I've ever made. I had many colleagues tell me what a brave choice it was, and how it was very smart to go back and change careers at 25 before I had a family.

Go for it. You're young, do it now before you have children and obligations.

Air89, ASN · May 28, 2014

I would have to agree with the previous post to do it now and not wait. If you need some more experience in the field to help make your decision, go ahead and do CNA work. When you have a family or other obligations, it will be that much harder. I just turned 43 and am entering the nursing field after having worked in human services/child welfare field. I will not really be sacrificing any pay as the field I am currently in is low paying, but I do understand that you have an added dilemma of justifying your decision. I can relate to your experience of being talked out of pursuing Nursing by relatives. I had the same experience. Parents are well meaning when they do this but I don't think that parents are always very good at knowing what there kids strengths or interests are. Good luck in what ever you decide.

Eeveetee, BSN · May 30, 2014

Thank you so much everyone. I appreciate the advice and its really touching to hear your stories. I put my two weeks in at my job in Philadelphia today and will begin working on prereqs one way or another! Good luck to everyone I hope that it works out for us all.

Next decision: going as a full time student or taking another accounting job and saving out with the family for a year!

:)

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 1, 2014

Can a few RN's & LPN's chime in & answer this...."What are some daily activities that a Nurse participates in that gives you joy & pushes you to go to work the next day??" (Confirming your career choice, knowing that you HAVE made a difference in someone's life)

Just seeing people feel so much better gives you joy.

Seeing a demented patient from home alone discharged to assisted living gives you joy.

Hearing someone tell you that you are a good nurse gives you joy.

Giving someone food after they've been NPO (nothing by mouth) gives you joy.

Relieving someone's pain gives you joy.

Getting the orders that you asked for for your patient from the provider gives you joy.

Seeing an improvement in mental status gives you joy.

Seeing controlled blood sugars gives you joy.

Getting a 20 gauge IV in on your first try gives you joy.

Seeing your patient discharged gives you joy.

MrsICURN14 · Jun 1, 2014

Hi there!!!
Your post peeked my interest because I am going through the same thing, I too am working in Finance, & have been for almost 10 years. I'm torn because, though I know how to do the work, I'm completely unsatisfied (I am also a child of relative accountants). I took (1 pre-req) Microbiology and got a B, and I actually LOVED that class.
However, my fear is, what if I'm still unsatisfied with Nursing?! Is that even possible? I hear how even though Nursing is NO walk in the park, it will be rewarding! Unlike you, my clock is ticking as I just turned 33, but still nervous about "the big jump" which is Nursing.
Can a few RN's & LPN's chime in & answer this...."What are some daily activities that a Nurse participates in that gives you joy & pushes you to go to work the next day??" (Confirming your career choice, knowing that you HAVE made a difference in someone's life)
Because, I can tell you this for sure.....These spreadsheets are mind-numbing.
I am a social introvert, & love helping, caring, & leading others.
How can we be sure that Nursing will fill the void, & be sure we don't get stuck again after the additional schooling that Nursing requires?
(I also have my CNA/GNA, & everrrryone says "you don't want to work in a Nursing Home, which further discourages me)....but anything is better than endless meetings, & excel sheets, even if I have to cut my pay in half....which we DEFINITELY will do...(for starters/entry level anyways), but what's a career changer to do??
Sincerely, Torn between 2 careers. :-/

I can tell you that I am not even licensed yet and have already had many experiences over the last 2 years of nursing school that validated my choice and told me this is the right career for me. I will start at a hospital full time in 2 weeks, but I'm doing pediatric home health prn and I have been doing it for 2 weeks and I love it. I leave every day in such a good mood.

What brings you joy or fulfills you is a very personal and individual feeling, but I think you will know in nursing school if this is the right career for you.

iPink, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2014

I made the leap and changed my career to nursing. I graduated from an ABSN, which was tough but I survived.

I want to give you my honest insight after graduation.... Reality had sunk in and many of my classmates struggled to land a job because nursing new grads were being cranked out at a high rate. After moving out of state and a few months later, I finally got a job with the help of a friend. I was excited to start in the GN Residency on a critical care floor but that quickly vanished when I was doing more running around than anything else. I barely had time to sit and thoroughly educate my patients before being pulled in a thousand directions. I was exhausted mentally, physically, and spiritually at the end of each shift. I thought I made a big mistake changing my career to nursing. However, when I came on allnurses, I found comfort in knowing what I was experiencing and feeling was quite normal for GNs. I decided to stick it out and gain valuable experience in the process. After a year, I was able to transfer to a specialty and unit I love! I have found my home and niche. I was renewed in the career I plan to stay in till retirement.

I wish you all the best!

Sent from iPink's phone via allnurses app

mrsgraham521 · Jun 1, 2014

Thanks Lev & MrsRN14!!!!

Just your responses alone have reminded me that 1.) if it's in my heart, my passion is for real, & 2.) I must take the leap, & when I do, meaningful experiences will ultimately manifest and validate the transition.

I seriously feel motivated right now!!!

Many thanks to you!!

~LaTeka G.