Should I switch to Nursing?

[NumberCruncher]

True to my monicker, I love numbers and I work with numbers.

I had been an actuarial consultant for 7 years then an investment analyst for 4 years. I am now working as a strategic planner. While pay is good, I am tempted to try nursing because that would pay more. To be perfectly honest, I am squeamish about a lot of things (puke, poop and the like). But I can work on that.

People in my country are going ga-ga about nursing. It is indeed the passport to the land of milk and honey. In fact, one of my Mom's friend got hired somewhere in the East Coast. I am so damn green with envy when I learned that her friend earns about 2.5Million (in my country's currency) a year. That would be my salary for about 3 years or so.

Recently, I've been looking at switching to nursing and take advantage of the shortage in nurses not just in the US but also in other parts of the globe as well. But, I have come across so many horrid stories in the net about Nursing Jobs that scared the hell out of me. I mean I can surely get over my "squeamishness" about stuff but to be in constant stress -- as I have read, gives me second thoughts.

Please help. Should I switch or not?

[al7139, ASN, RN]

I truly believe that nursing is a calling and not a job to make money. It is true that nurses do quite well financially, but that should never be a reason to go into this career. I am a new graduate nurse in Virginia, and we have a large population of nurses from the Philippines in this area. I work with several, and they are all great nurses, not because it is a way for them to make money, but because they have a true calling as a caregiver. I advise you to really think about why you want to be a nurse, because the ones who do it just for the money do not last long in this profession. Poop, puke, and other "gross" stuff is a part of the profession. I do not enjoy that part of my job, but I deal with it, because it IS a part of my job. The reward is the thanks I get from the patients and families, and seeing a patient leave the hospital, or being able to provide comfort to the families and the patient who dies. But remember that you will experience patients who make you want to scream as well! They are unappreciative, rude, abusive to staff, and don't want your help. If you are thinking of nursing because you genuinely want to make a difference and help the sick...go for it! Otherwise, stick to your present career.

Amy

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

You might be happier working in Health Information Management. They were traditionally medical records but because of computers and the importance of the medical records this career has really grown in the U.S. The Health Information Management people in America are heavily involved in the billing and collecting of statistical information within healthcare. The WHO (World Health Organization) is also involved in collecting statistics using the same coding systems the Health information Management people use to compile world wide morbidity and mortality statistics that they report. You will have to do some investigatation to find what your country does with health statistics, but somewhere they are done using the ICD-9 or ICD-10 coding systems because the WHO require that statistical information on chronic disease and death be sent to them. I can only offer this American website that you can check out for information.

• http://www.ahima.org/

[NumberCruncher]

I know its kindda cold-blooded to shift to nursing for the money but that is reality for me.

I am sure the stress-level in my job doesnt compare with the stress-level of nurses. They should be earning so much for that ton of stress.

I have the option to take the Chartered Financial Analyst but as I've said the nursing field is lucrative. Although, I am sure I dont have the real calling.

Thanks for responding.

[Wren]

NumberCruncher,

There are many nurses who never see a patient and who work with data for much of their jobs. They have to go through the nursing training and a certain amount of work after school (poop and all) of course but then specialize in areas that focus more on administrative and data management areas. Nursing is a great foundation and a platform for people who want a career in health care but don't necessarily want to be on the front lines caring for patients. Good luck!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I don't believe like the poster above that nursing is a "calling". I do think that being only motivated by the money leaves to stress and frustration. You have to like people and taking care of them when they are sick and you have to have that compassionate edge. If you like poeople and think you'd be a good nurse, nothing wrong then with going for the money. But if you don't and you're going for the money anyway, I advice you not doing it.

I understand that's the motivation for a lot of nurses there in the nurse factory that is the Phillipines and honestly don't blame you one bit for thinking about nursing since tens of thousands of your fellow countrymen are doing it.

The jobs that Wren above describes probably isn't available for a beginning foreign nurse, as there are plenty of Americans to take those jobs, but once you get here and work a while, then you might be able to move into those positions.

Good luck to you.

[purplets]

I think money should not be the only motivating factor for anybody to take nursing. Nursing is caring about sick and needy people. We can earn lots of money in other field.