Business Grad looking to break into Nursing

Nurses Career Support

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I'm a marketing proffesional looking to make a career change into nursing. I'd like to pursue an Associate's, but in the meantime have been investigating positions in patient services that I could possibly use my current business degree. Many I am finding require that I be an RN. Any suggested positions out there that would use my business background and act as a bridge into healthcare?

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I'm currently trying to make the same change. I actually contacted local hospitals/doctors offices to try and get in and do some shadowing/volenteer work. I was thinking that would be a good way to get an "in" and perhaps get access to a position that you may have not had access to before. Hope this helps :)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I think you may run into difficulty trying to locate business-oriented healthcare jobs because the healthcare industry is so different from others - especially in terms of financial structures & accounting practices. If you could take a course or two in healthcare finance, it may qualify you for work in an accounting area.

Is there a particular reason you are so interested in moving into Nursing? I hope you haven't bought into the 'evergreen career' myth. Healthcare has been severely impacted by the economy & the worst is probably yet to come.. There are a lot of uncertainties with Healthcare reform, but we already know that they are going to jerk the rug out from under our already inadequate current reimbursement rates. Take a look at the latest data from the Department of Labor - other sectors are starting to increase hiring, but healthcare is down.

It's not possible to 'break into' nursing in the traditional sense. You will have to go the same route as everyone else. Finish your pre-requisite courses; any science older than 5 years has probably expired. Then fight the masses to get accepted into a nursing school. Once you graduate, you will join the stampede of other eager new grads searching for the elusive job. You'll probably have to work a few years as a nurse before being taken seriously as a candidate to move into a more advanced 'business' role. So you're looking at around 5 years... not a very quick transition. But those years will pass, whether or not you do anything & five years from now you could be still saying "I shoulda" or you could be saying "I did it".

If you decide to go for it, get to know some experienced nurses who can guide you through the proces. Best of luck to you!

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I just received a list of volunteer opportunities from a hospital in Savannah, GA that included atleast one position in their offices ( I believe the position was specifically for payroll and AR or AP). So there are opportunities but you may need to volunteer and hope that maybe it could potentially turn into a paying position some day.

Also I've contacted 3 separate hospitals about volunteering and everyone has been very helpful and kind. It doesn't hurt to just call or email them, explain to them what you would like to accomplish and if you're not a good fit for them (or they with you) then they may be able to give you some guidance and direction on who you could contact that would be more suited for your needs.

Good luck :)

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Specializes in ICU.

I recommend volunteering. I was working in finance and management when I decided to enter nursing. I am not interested in following the business track within nursing, but volunteering is never a bad idea. Also, I would recommend getting your BSN. From looking at nursing positions, most are saying BSN preferred.

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