From Computer Science to Nursing.. need help!

[chiliwings]

hi, like most of you here, ive been considering going back to school to pursue a nursing degree. i graduated with a degree in bs management of information systems. it has been almost 4 years since my graduation and i must say that i never really quite achieved that dream job of mine yet. with the way the current economy is right now, with companies laying off it people left and right, it is hard for a recent grad to find a decent job because not only are we competing with recent graduates but we are also competing against people who had years and years of experience but unfortunately got laid off. well needless to say, i am considering different possibilities right now and as most of you are well aware of, healthcare is the number one most stable industry to be in right now. anyway, i honestly love working in the it industry. but not to sound materialistic or anything, it is just not worth it anymore compared 5 years ago when the dot-com industry was at its peak. almost 3 years of web and graphic design with about a year of software support and occasional database design, i am still making entry level salary which is definitely not good. with my salary, i cant even move out of my parents house because obviously i cant afford rent. and with my employer cutting off employee medical benefits in order to cut costs, well that's just the last straw for me!

i originally didnt consider nursing because all i knew about nursing is that they are the ones who pretty much put up with the doctor's crap. (sorry if i sounded harsh, but you get the idea.) they are overworked, yet not at all appreciated. however, after about a month of "researching" into the field, i found out that there are actually other areas of nursing that one can specialize in other then the traditional bed side nursing. anyway.. my point is, is there basically an area in nursing where i can also, even in the smallest of ways, be able to apply what i learned in computers and technology? because i would really hate it if i abandon it all together, although i am open to venturing into a different field.

if any of you are having the same experience, i'd really appreciate it if you would share them. how did it feel leaving a field you've been in for years and move one to something entirely different? thanks a lot and good luck to everyone!

:imbar

[chiliwings]

Thanks everybody for all your replies. It sure is very interesting to read different kinds of opinions. Anyway when I originally posted this message, I was still in the stage where I was considering taking up nursing as a second career. Being in IT for quite some time and suddenly doing a 180 degree turn is not at all that easy to do. I had a lot of people asking me why I wanted to get in to nursing. I must admit, had the situation with the IT industry been any different, I of course would gladly stick to it. But as every body knows, things right now are not that what they used to be. Seasoned programmers are being laid off here and there. As for nursing, like what one of the posters wrote, nursing students are immiediately hired even when they are still in school.

Job security may be one of the first reasons why I decided to pursue nursing, but it certainly isn't the only one. But that reason did make me consider looking into the nursing field more closely. We all got our own reasons why get into a certain field. These reasons are the ones that motivate us to want to become programmers, doctors, engineers and nurses. But what makes us stay in that particular field is what is more important I think. Because in my opinion, we never really know what makes a good doctor, or a good nurse or a good programmer until you yourself are immersed in that field. Before we enter into a certain field, we only have a vague idea of what being a good nurse (or doctor, etc) entails. In other words, I honestly think you learn more of the field as you go along - from taking classes to finishing your degree, to actually working and doing your job as a nurse, doctor etc.

Don't get me wrong, I of course agree that there should be more than just money or security as the reason for getting into nursing. Because if money is the only reason why I decided to enter IT, then I shouldnt have lasted for more than 1 month in my job! :chuckle Of course I know the importance of loving what you do in order to be successful in it. I did my research into the nursing field, did a lot of informational interviews and all. And from what Ive learned it does look like a rewarding job, regardless of what other people say. Yeah, there may be a few "disgruntled" nurses here and there, but what other field doesnt right? :)

When I initially considered the nursing field, I did not have that much idea about it (or if it is something I wanted to get into) which was why I decided to take just one class to serve as my "testing" board. I took AP as my first class. In this way I thought, if I don't like it, I can just quit and there's no harm done. After all it is just one class. But so far I am happy to say (and to my suprise too) that I actually am enjoying it a lot and find it very interesting. Before, just the thought of blood and doing lab and all that turns me off, but now that I am actually doing it, I find a certain degree of satisfaction and enjoyment. :) So the saying that "Dont knock it until you try it" holds true in my case. So far I honestly think I made the right decision and I am very happy with it. And in the long run, that's the only thing that matters.

[Swedandy]

While I do not hold an academic degree in computer sciences (I do hold a number of NetWare, MS and Cisco certs and systems adm is what I've been working with), I have worked in the field for some years here in Sweden. When the industry started going downhill, I found myself without a job and unable to get a new one. For this I am now only grateful, as it gave me a chance to pursue my interest in nursing and medicine. I've always been wanting to work with health care but for several reasons this has never come to be until now. I started RN school this January and so far I am loving it! I so can not believe I didn't get into this earlier!

The work situation for nurses in Sweden is a mixed blessing. As it is very rewarding working with health care that is free to every citizen and there is a shortage in nurses just like everywhere else, the pay is just rediciolous and most nurses are very unhappy with management. I believe you have to have a genuine interest in nursing to be a good nurse, but that does not exclude trying to make a good living. Since my wife is a "native" Texan, we plan on moving back after I'm out of school. We both miss the heat and the humidity! :)

I hope you will love nursing as much as I do and that your career works out well for you.