anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

Nurses Career Support

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Hi everyone!

Is anyone else here totally changing careers to go to nursing school? I guess I'm looking for a little encouragement that it's OK for me to want to get out of the corporate/business world that I HATE and go into nursing!

What are your thoughts and reasons? Here's a little about me -- I have a degree in Advertising and I've been in the business world for almost 5 years now. I just have no interest in business-related things, and I have no desire to climb the proverbial corporate ladder. To me, nursing seems like something totally different from that. I can't say I've had a passion for it my whole life, like some people can. It only just occurred to me about 6 months ago. But I just want something different -- I HATE sitting at a computer and being bored out of my mind for 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week!!

Anyone else in a similar situation?

amy :)

Hi, I currently work in the IT department at a Home Care agency and I am considering a career change also to nurse informatics. I do enjoy working in IT but after all the new HIPPA rules .I think I might be of more help to people if I migrate both.

Am I crazy? Help

Amy,

go for it. I was a teacher. I only lasted 6 Weeks!!!. I talked my husband into letting me go to nursing school because the thought of 25 years in a 15 x 15 room with 25 small children did not sound like anything I wanted to be a part of. Have been nursing for 6 years and cannot honestly remember not enjoying a days work. Yes I get totally exauhasted (spelling, thats another reason I did not need to teach LOL) underpaid, spit at, pooped on, puked on, and all the other fluids that can be projected from the body. In nursing there is so much room for movement if you find that an area is not to your liking, you can find something that will suit you.

good Luck

Rockie Sis

Hi everyone,

I too am changing careers to pursue nursing! I am a legal secretary and hate my job. I am 32 and have been doing administrative work since I graduated from Katherine Gibbs 15 years ago. My last day of work is tomorrow:D and I my first day of classes for my prerequisites is May 27th. I've applied to a diploma/AD program (I get a diploma from the hospital and an associates from the community college). The hospital pays for all courses in return for you working for them for 2 years. I am a little nervous about changing, but I've put much thought and research into this and in the worse case scenario, I can always go back to doing what I'm doing. I feel anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Congratulations! Good Luck! Don't be nervous, two years seems like a long time now, but it will fly by faster than you can imagine.

Specializes in Research, neurology.

What a great thread! I am currently in the process of applying to an accelerated BSN program. If I get in, it will take 11 months, but I have to re-take A&P I/II and Micro:rolleyes: I have a BS in Biology, then I got my Associates Degree and am currently a Physical Therapist Assistant (plans to go to PT school never panned out). Since I have worked in healthcare for the past 4 years and my mom and sister are RNs, I have a good idea what I have in store for me (I think). My sister tries to talk me out of it and my mom encourages me to do it to no end. But I really feel that it would be a good decision for me. And no, I would not consider going to back to get my Master's to be a PT for several reasons.

I feel like my job as a PTA is dead-end for me. I work in PA where you can't work without a PT "on premises". Most of the time, I feel like a glorified aide.

Good luck to you all in programs now or trying to decide what to do....

Eileen

Eileen,

Can I ask why your sister tries to talk you out of it? Just curious.

Thanks

Specializes in Research, neurology.

Hi Debi,

I think that at the time, my sister didn't realize that I already did many of the things that nurses "complain" about....wiping butts, working weekends and holidays, etc. As a PTA working mainly in geriatrics, I deal a lot with the unsavory parts of patient care. My sister thinks that I should go back and get my Master's for Physical Therapy. Working in that field currently, I really have no desire to do that. Nursing offers many different opportunities and not just in the hospital setting. And they get paid better than PTAs do! But that is not the only reason that I want to change careers. The various opportunities that nurses have is what is really attractive to me.

I wish you the best of luck! Are you currently in a nursing program?

Eileen

Five years ago, I left my desk job as an accounting technician to become an LPN. After years of working on busy med-surg units, I can honestly say that I wish I had my desk job back. I left because I wished to make more money, and had always had the desire to do something "medical" since I was a little girl. I chose nursing because nurses were needed, made what I thought was good money, and I figured I'd always have a job. Not worth it anymore to me. I'd gladly take back my less paying desk job, but now I have too many bills. Too many years of caring for too many patients, too many unsafe situations, too much blame for what happens or doesn't happen on the nurse. If something isn't done right for your patient by dietary, pharmacy, laboratory, respiratory, housekeeping, maintenance or even the doctors, the nurse can and most likely will be considered at fault. Making sure everyone in the hospital does their job, including you doing your job, is the nurse's job. Now multiply this times your seven or possibly more patients. And don't get me started with the problem family members. And when I say problem, I'm talking about the family members that are rude and threatening when all you're trying to do is the best you can to help their loved one. All of this plus the paperwork that must be done before you can go home adds up to an impossible situation. You want to spend time with your patients and you end up not having enough time for them. Is that bass ackwards or what?

If you're changing a career to go into nursing because you TRULY know it's something you want to do, you would love to do, and it's the only other career you would ever consider; by all means go for it. BUT if you're tired of your career and you just want a change, and you thought, "nursing, why not?", I highly suggest you consider ALL of your options.

Originally posted by leenie71

Hi Debi,

I think that at the time, my sister didn't realize that I already did many of the things that nurses "complain" about....wiping butts, working weekends and holidays, etc. As a PTA working mainly in geriatrics, I deal a lot with the unsavory parts of patient care. My sister thinks that I should go back and get my Master's for Physical Therapy. Working in that field currently, I really have no desire to do that. Nursing offers many different opportunities and not just in the hospital setting. And they get paid better than PTAs do! But that is not the only reason that I want to change careers. The various opportunities that nurses have is what is really attractive to me.

I wish you the best of luck! Are you currently in a nursing program?

Eileen

Eileen,

I am scheduled to begin the nursing program in the fall so I like to ask alot of questions because I have alot of doubts still. I was once interested in PTA, but could not afford to quit my job at that time to go to school so now I've switched to nursing and the time is better financially.

Thanks for answering and good luck to you.

Amyrae76...

I am alot like you! I have a degree in computer animation and wasted 8 years in corporate america. One day I was sitting in my cube, peeking out over files and phone lists and was like, WHAT am I doing?!?! This is my LIFE! It was like instant suffocation, thinking about 8 more years of this?!?! NO WAY!

I am not going to look back on my life and see the only person I ever cared about was myself or that dang dollar. If you let it control you, it will!

Of course its scary to jump into something new but at least we are doing it. IGNORE all these negative comments because what all these other people were saying is true. . .it is your life and it is what you make it! If some of those other nurses are that pissed off and jaded, that's fine, maybe its time for them to jump into something new.....I think they are hiring at my old company....

Let's encourage each other to live our dreams and actually BE happy with ourselves and in our lives! Nursing is a great field!

Sorry if I came across a little strong but I am so excited to have been accepted into my BSN program and combine that with the relief of never having to do Powerpoint presentations again. . .woooo!!!

I'm a Journeyman Diesal Mechanic for a Kenworth Dealership.Been there 8 years in Aug.I'm so sick of fixing inanimate objects.I want to hopefully be an RN at our Valley Childerns Hospital some time after I finish school.I have a 5 year plan to try and get to this point.Working on my prereqs at the moment and will be 45 when I finish Nursing school.That will give me about 20 years of working at a job that I really want to do,insted of doing something out of niceties to survive.

Me too! Joined the corporate world in the big 80s; it was never for me. I have a BS in business and 3/4 of the way through an MA in psych. I just applied to three programs and dread the admission process. I can understand your thrill at admissions - congrats!

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