anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

sierranic · Nov 30, 2003

I previously worked as a customer service rep for a major health insurance company, I got paid some good money!! The problem was if I ever left that job, there was absolutley no one else that would pay me the same amount, so I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I knew I didn't want to sit and talk to people on the phone for the rest of my life!! I was very interested in what the customers would tell me about their health history, and what procedures they had done. I found it very interesting!

It wasn't until I was in the hospital giving birth to my 2nd child that I fell in love with nursing, The nurses I had were the most wonderful people I have ever encountered in my life time!! With my first child I had a very evil (EVIL) nurse, I found out from a friend that works at the hospital that acutally agrees with me, so I didn't feel as if it was just me making assumptions because of my ordeal!! I was really, really nervous my 2nd time around, wondering will I get the same nurse, will I be treated like I'm stupid and know nothing?? Luckily, the EVIL nurse was fired a few years prior to this, and my 2nd go around was wonderful!!

While at home on my maternity leave, dreading the day I would have to give my kids up to go sit at a desk and be gone for 9 1/2 hours each day, just to be so worn out when I return. I literally would come home, spend a few hours making dinner, giving baths, and tucking my kids into bed. I hated not getting to spend REAL TIME with them, felt like the enjoyed the babysitter more than they did me!! :devil: Finally, I had enough! I told my husband that I needed to get out of the job I was doing and wanted to go into nursing!! It would allow me more time to spend with my young kids while in school! Thankfully, he agreed, although he wouldn't have had much choice.

So now, here I am, waiting to get into school, I've been taking all my non-nursing classes and did the CNA course which was also required and I can't wait to get in!! I'm prepared for the worse, I know nursing isn't a glorrified position that the world percieves it to be, I know there will be days I want to pull all my hair out, and patients who will yell at me (among other things).

The thing that I loved most about becoming a nurse is knowing in the future that I will always have a job that pays well no matter where I live!! Not to mention working the 3 12 hour shifts and being done for the week!! It will allow me to give my kids the future they deserve as well as the time they need with their mother!!

But I'm still waiting!!!

I'm hoping to get into the program in fall of 2004

trigwf25 · Jan 12, 2004

Hello.

Changin careers as well. I have a BS in Psychology can't do anything with it, but I can persue a career in psych nursing. THis actually worked out better for me. I can do more psychology stuff through nursing than I can with just psychology.

Good Luck!

Rep · Jan 12, 2004

Hi there!

Changing career to ease boredom? You are right!

As for me, I finished my BSN in 1991 and had worked as a volunteer staff nurse for a year. Yes, here in the Philippines, its common for nurses to give voluntary service to get the needed working experience before getting hired. I quit after that because of zero option. There were too may of us registered nurses and male nurses like me were not in demand at that time.

I went into marketing as a pharmaceutical sales representative for an Irish company but still misses my job as a nurse. I love my job but the sales meetings with my managers, doctors and pharmacists became so routine and predictable that I feel there are no more challenge in there waiting for me. Like you, I have no ambition to climb the corporate ladder even I was asked to apply for a higher position by my supervisor. I said to myself that this will be my last year in sales and I'm going back to nursing once my petition is approved. Treating and caring patients are always a challenge. Each nursing day is different from the other nursing day. SO, Go for it AMY!

alexillytom · Jan 12, 2004

I am also in the process of changing careers. I always believed I was going to become an RN but life, love, and children happened. Now, almost seventeen years after graduating from high school, I am finishing up my prerequisites and studying for the Nurses Entrance Exam. I am really excited! I am finally fulfilling a lifelong dream. Good luck to all of the future nurses on this forum!!!!

homeylu2004 · Jan 12, 2004

while at home on my maternity leave, dreading the day i would have to give my kids up to go sit at a desk and be gone for 9 1/2 hours each day, just to be so worn out when i return. i literally would come home, spend a few hours making dinner, giving baths, and tucking my kids into bed. i hated not getting to spend real time with them, felt like the enjoyed the babysitter more than they did me!! finally, i had enough! i told my husband that i needed to get out of the job i was doing and wanted to go into nursing!! it would allow me more time to spend with my young kids while in school! thankfully, he agreed, although he wouldn't have had much choice.

i surely hope you are prepared for the long hours required of nursing, most nurses that work the 3 12 hour shifts are so exhausted on their days off that they still dont feel they have time for their families, and keep in mind that as a new nurse 9 times out of 10 you will get shifts like 7pm to 7am, not your typical 9 to 5, so you will miss dinner and everything else those days as you will find yourself sleeping and working. and forget making plans, as often you are "oncall" on your days off, and may be required to come in on a moments notice. "sit at a desk and be gone for 9.5 hours each day, just to be worn out" sounds like you definitely wont be able to stand on your feet for 12 hours!! as you will definitely be worn out. since you will be on evening shifts, forget tucking in your kids....just make sure that this is something you really want to do, i see people coming into this profession for the wrong reasons, it is not, a glamorous job- often you may be asked to clean up urine, feces, vomit, blood, change dressings, you may have to suction a patient with the hiv virus, "still think its glamorous" hmmm. i didnt think so, no to discourage anyone from nursing, but make sure your primary reason for becoming a nurse is because you enjoy caring for others, otherwise you may wish you were back on your 9 to 5, sitting at your desk.

bmw804 · Jan 15, 2004

Hi,

I'm also changing careers. I've always wanted to be a nurse, but felt the waiting list was too long. Now that I am 3 courses away from completing my master's in computer science, I have decided to go back into nursing. This corporate business world is not for me either. I don't enjoy sitting at my desk. I have learned to be more of a people person since working at corporate. I really enjoy helping people and I find that makes my day happier knowing I was able to help someone. The gratitude that the feel is enough for me. I know that I will feel the same way with nursing.

kc_jellybean · Jan 15, 2004

After 7 years in the finance/insurance industry, I'm hanging it all up and going for my BSN. I have a BA in Soc, and my current "career" just happened by accident...what can I say, the money's kept me around. :imbar

While I can't say I've hated it, it certainly has been anything but fulfilling. :rolleyes: I've always been interested in a career in health care, and the way financial instutitions are merging and laying off employees, now seemed the prefect time to go for it! :idea:

In fact, my timing couldn't be better...not only have I completed my pre-reqs, been accepted to my 1st choice school (my accelerated BSN program begins in May), but I also rec'd my notice last month - I am being laid off and have 1 month left of work. So now, instead of quitting to go back to school full time, I'm getting let go w/ a decent severance package to tide me over - if I'm really frugal - while I'm in school! :chuckle

I'm really excited - it feels like things are really "clicking" for me! Now, if I could just quit reading those nightmare-clinicals posts on the Student Nursing board...! :eek:

New Castle Ken · Jan 15, 2004

Originally posted by bmw804
Hi,
I'm also changing careers. I've always wanted to be a nurse, but felt the waiting list was too long. Now that I am 3 courses away from completing my master's in computer science, I have decided to go back into nursing. This corporate business world is not for me either. I don't enjoy sitting at my desk. I have learned to be more of a people person since working at corporate. I really enjoy helping people and I find that makes my day happier knowing I was able to help someone. The gratitude that the feel is enough for me. I know that I will feel the same way with nursing.

Actually meshing computers, research, and nursing is an upcoming field (Informatics). Please be aware that it is very difficult to finish a graduate degree once you have left it unfinished. Most graduate programs will only accept 6 very recent credits (within 5 years) at the most. I know that you didn't ask for my suggestion

:eek: but I suggest you complete the masters that you are in first then go into nursing if that is what you want. With this background you would be a great asset to the nursing and healthcare field. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Ken

piper_for_hire · Jan 15, 2004

yes yes! I got into an accelerated nursing program nearly two years ago and I start in March. I just got canned in December, so the timing works out pretty good. I can't believe I'm finally starting in two months.

My background is also in computerland and many have suggested Informatics. Maybe that would be interesting down the road, but after more than a decade behind a desk, I'm ready to mix it up with screaming patients and be on my feet for 15 hours a day!

-S

sashibeak · Jan 16, 2004

Hi Amy,

I used to be a professional dancer for 11 years. Obviously, that is not a lifetime career, yet I could NEVER see myself settling in an office! I am far too active.

I've always been the nurturing type and nursing was always something I had dreamed of. I am now in my first year of RN school and LOVING it.

Yes, it's jolly hard work, but it will be oh-so worth it!

Go for it girl! And good luck to you!:kiss

Michael M · Jan 16, 2004

Hi Amy!

You're not alone. When I first graduated from U.T.-Austin several years ago I was also interested in nursing, worked as a nurse aide in the student ER, but decided to go into broadcasting since I also loved that field. I graduated with a BS in Communications and worked 14 years in a technical management position for a worldwide known multimedia company, but after several "buy outs" and management changes, I was getting burned out and decided to return to nursing. I found out about U.T. Austin's Alternate-Entry Graduate MSN program, took the prerequisite courses locally, and then applied and was accepted into the program. No matter what level of degree program you decide to attend (AD, BSN, etc.), I believe you'll find that there is a wide variety of choices within the nursing field in which you may work. I chose U.T. Austin's program since it was one of few in the country in which a person with a bachelor's degree outside of nursing could enter a graduate program and come out with a CNS/MSN (three year program). You could also go for the AD or BSN and later earn the Masters degree. I'd suggest shoping around to find a nursing program that suits your needs. Once licensed as an RN, you can always advance your degree if desired or branch out into a specialty area of nursing. I work part time as a nurse extern in a cardiovascular unit, and would suggest doing so, if possible while in school, so that you may enhance your clinical experience as well as find out if you really like the work. It's never too late to make a change. I'm 40 years old, work part time, attend school fulltime, take care of my 5 year old son, while also serving in student government and maintaining good grades and scholarships. It can be done. You have to really want it, be dedicated to it, stay focused, use good time management, and love to READ! There is so much to learn that the instructors can not possibly cover all testable material in class. You'll see students fail out because they don't read and do their homework. As long as you stay focused and don't let it "snowball" on you, you'll do great. If you find yourself needing help, get it early before it's too late. Most instructors are really very nice and take a strong interest in students doing well. I'd also suggest "networking" with everyone that you meet. It may prove beneficial down the road and also serves as a good support basis while in school. If I can do it, anyone can. My apologies if this came across as a sermon. I just wanted to let you see how things evolved from my perspective and help you out if possible. Best of luck to you!

lralex · Jan 17, 2004

Amy i completely understand what you are feeling. :confused:

some years back i started college with plans for being a registered nurse. i got to my junior year and two clinical rotations left and decided to change my major to computer information systems.

i graduated in 2001 with a BS and have held positions as an launch administrator (glorified secretary) for one of the big 3, executive assistant for friend of the court (child support division), help desk coordinator for IT company/computer manufacture, and my current position is that of data analyst for a tier 1 auto supplier.

i've been in this last position for going on 4 months now and i came to realize how really unhappy (not to mention bored i was) about a month and a half ago. after doing some deep soul searching i decided that i truly missed my calling and should have become a nurse. there's such a range of work environments, flexibility in scheduling, not to mention job security!

my husband and i moved to GA for a little more than a year in 2001 just for him to get laid off 3 times and have to travel to 2 different states (one being Detroit) to stay employed and for me to have to deal with serious mismanagement from onsite employees (i was a contract employee on the help desk position). in November 2002 we decided to move back to Detroit since we still had a home and family here. we had to deal with this in combination with me being off work (literally no jobs here since 9-11) from November 2002 until this past September and my husband working irregularly from January until December 2003. you can imagine how strained our finances were this past year.

we both are working regularly now and are just about caught up on our bills. and i now i should be happy that i'm working, but it's so hard going into a job that you just hate. my job description wasn't really defined when i started (and still hasn't been), so i never know what i'm going to be doing from one day to the next. and i often get pulled on different projects to help other analysts who regularly don't pull their weight. i could go on but i won't . i just really miss having the job satisfaction i used to have knowing that i'm doing something worthwhile. and that the work i've done has made a difference in someone's life. i used to have that about 98% of the time. i forgot to mention that i worked in nursing as a nurse assistant, nurse technician (in a hospital), and a direct care worker all while i was in school, and after i changed my major up until 2000 when i got my first office position. i'm currently trying to stick it out with this post until i refresh some of my science courses to get accepted in the accerlertated BSN program at Wayne State University http://www.wayne.edu. and then possibly get a part time hospital job while in school full time.

Amy don't give up on your goals of going into nursing and don't let anyone make you feel bad for wanting a career change. you have to be happy and your patients will appreciate the fact that you love you job so much....as someone on this very board said, "it's never too late to be what you could have already been..." :roll