anyone here get a degree in sociology and then switch to nursing?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

There are many people on these forums who switched to nursing after attaining a baccalaureate degree in some unrelated field (sociology, business, philosophy, education, liberal studies, psychology, public health, social work, counseling, etc.).

The reasons are often monetary as well as altruistic. Sorry, but philosophy majors simply are not in hot demand in this tight economy right now.

KatzchenLSW · May 28, 2009

what's sociology like? what's the difference btw sociology and social work? anyone know? why did you make the switch? was it due to unemployment? pay? hardship? please help!

I can only answer your question about the difference between sociology and social work. Sociology is the academic study of how people interact in groups and why. Social Work on the other hand is a professional field of study concerned with the practical application of techniques to alleviate the problems of individuals and groups in society.

86toronado, BSN, RN · May 28, 2009

My husband is in the process of getting his nursing degree, with a bachelor's in sociology already. His reasoning: he has never used his sociology degree professionally, because you generally need at least a master's to get any kind of a job in the field. He enjoys people, and watching how the react and interact in different situations, therefore, the emergency department is a fascinating place for him to work. However, after two years as a tech he realized he would make so much more money, and have so much more flexibility as an RN, that he's now going for the degree!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 28, 2009

what's sociology like? what's the difference btw sociology and social work? anyone know? why did you make the switch? was it due to unemployment? pay? hardship? please help!

this is long……. i too made the switch. i did not work in sociology per se, though i wanted to go to graduate school and travel the world doing research initially. life happened and i worked in social work for many years. i switched to nursing because of my poor work experience.

first my starting pay was about $23,000/year. i was living in poverty equivalent to the people i was trained and educated to help. i moved up in the world to make a whopping $26,000/year and was not considered impoverished by federal standards and had to pay back student loans i could not afford. not to mention, i had a difficult time being heard (advocating for my clients). administrators treated social workers, to include the masters prepared ones, like dirt. they thought we had our hearts on our sleeves and did not have a brain in our heads. so, i got tired of the poor pay and treatment and went back to school for my mba. i switched to nursing when i realized that even with an mba i was not getting anywhere in my career.

i am a new grad rn now and although there are nurses trying to eat me and i am in the process of “paying my dues” on the floor, i am not being treated like i do not have a brain! plus, working as a nurse i am in a profession that is heard. i am able to advocate for my patients and participate on committees outside of work that allows me to make a difference and have an immediate influence, unlike social work. i have been told by people (administrators) that some are looking closely at me off the floor because many know i have an mba. i am joining the army so i don’t actually care to take them up on future offers however i point this out because it is in stark contrast to how i was treated before. not to mention i have a starting wage that is better then any wage i have earned in the past. i do not make $60,000-80,000 year as promised by the media without over time or a second job, but i make considerably more then i did when i working in social work! in fact, my family and i can live on one income now.

by the way, because of my experience in social work, i am able to be a better new grad nurse. i worked with psych patients in the past and have no trouble handling them unlike other new grads i know. i also am able to deal with crazy manipulative family members (no one gets away with trying to get me to do something i don’t feel comfortable doing and they do not get away with playing me against other nurses or staff members). thus, to begin in social work before nursing was not a bad choice.... however, a true promotion in my career came when i became a rn.... :twocents:

mashamontago · May 30, 2009

this is long……. i too made the switch. i did not work in sociology per se, though i wanted to go to graduate school and travel the world doing research initially. life happened and i worked in social work for many years. i switched to nursing because of my poor work experience.
first my starting pay was about $23,000/year. i was living in poverty equivalent to the people i was trained and educated to help. i moved up in the world to make a whopping $26,000/year and was not considered impoverished by federal standards and had to pay back student loans i could not afford. not to mention, i had a difficult time being heard (advocating for my clients). administrators treated social workers, to include the masters prepared ones, like dirt. they thought we had our hearts on our sleeves and did not have a brain in our heads. so, i got tired of the poor pay and treatment and went back to school for my mba. i switched to nursing when i realized that even with an mba i was not getting anywhere in my career.
i am a new grad rn now and although there are nurses trying to eat me and i am in the process of “paying my dues” on the floor, i am not being treated like i do not have a brain! plus, working as a nurse i am in a profession that is heard. i am able to advocate for my patients and participate on committees outside of work that allows me to make a difference and have an immediate influence, unlike social work. i have been told by people (administrators) that some are looking closely at me off the floor because many know i have an mba. i am joining the army so i don’t actually care to take them up on future offers however i point this out because it is in stark contrast to how i was treated before. not to mention i have a starting wage that is better then any wage i have earned in the past. i do not make $60,000-80,000 year as promised by the media without over time or a second job, but i make considerably more then i did when i working in social work! in fact, my family and i can live on one income now.
by the way, because of my experience in social work, i am able to be a better new grad nurse. i worked with psych patients in the past and have no trouble handling them unlike other new grads i know. i also am able to deal with crazy manipulative family members (no one gets away with trying to get me to do something i don’t feel comfortable doing and they do not get away with playing me against other nurses or staff members). thus, to begin in social work before nursing was not a bad choice.... however, a true promotion in my career came when i became a rn....

thank you for the advice and insight. what school did you graduate from with a degree in sociology? did you ever consider taking law or teach sociology? did you ever do counselling?

GeauxNursing · May 31, 2009

My husband is in the process of getting his nursing degree, with a bachelor's in sociology already. His reasoning: he has never used his sociology degree professionally, because you generally need at least a master's to get any kind of a job in the field. He enjoys people, and watching how the react and interact in different situations, therefore, the emergency department is a fascinating place for him to work. However, after two years as a tech he realized he would make so much more money, and have so much more flexibility as an RN, that he's now going for the degree!

Pretty much what she said. I have a BA in sociology, but what am I going to do with it? When I was younger and in college, I chose socl. because I enjoyed the classes. That's it. The only way you can do anything with it--go back to school and get an MSW or something and make a career.

Surfer8210 · May 31, 2009

For me a BA in Sociology, then a graduate degree in Elem. Ed., and finally an AAS/RN....

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2009

thank you for the advice and insight. what school did you graduate from with a degree in sociology? did you ever consider taking law or teach sociology? did you ever do counselling?

i went to a name school. yes, i considered law school but after taking one course in law i decided it was not for me. i did not like the way one has to think to be a good lawyer. do not get me wrong, i do not dislike the profession or disrespect those who practice law. i just figured out really quickly that it was not for me.

as for teaching sociology, it is always best to work then get your phd. however i no longer desired to work in the field. as for counseling, yes i did that under the supervision of a msw. however that did not bring me satisfaction because i got tired of the fact that people can take years to change habits. if you have the patience, then counseling is an excellent profession. i don't have patience... that is why i work in acute care as a rn, where results of my interventions are measurable very quickly!