Career Change==>Accounting to Nursing

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 6, 2007

From your old posts, it looks like you've been considering this change since early 2004. It also took me about 3 years to make the change, and I'm in an accelerated program right now (3 weeks down!).

You've got to eventually decide if this move is right for you. Once that decision has been made, then plan on how you're going to achieve your goal.

Change is hard. Being miserable in an unrewarding career is even harder.

zicovico · Jul 6, 2007

Yes! It's been since 2004. I have pondered on this issue for quite a long time. I just felt it's about time to go for it.

There is nothing as rewarding as knowing that one is in profession that give to other people.

Thanks.

ggfifirn05 · Jul 6, 2007

I made the change from accounting to nursing, and graduated with my ADN in 12/04. I wouldn't go back to that old life (the last 10 yrs of a 29 yr career spent at a well known brokerage firm) for anything. But it took the death of my brother and the events of 9/11 to challenge me to get started on my prereqs; I had been thinking about going into nursing for the previous 5 or 6 years. I figured I'd start the prereqs, see how I did and how I liked the content, and go from there. I was hooked after the 1st class, even though I hadn't been in school in 25 years! It took me 5 semesters (part time) to finish the prereqs and I started the "core" nursing classes full time in 09/03. I took my boards in 01/05, and have been working as a MedSurg floor RN ever since.

Nursing school was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Since most of the the teachers at my ADN program are educated as NURSES, not as TEACHERS, they were lacking in some actual "teaching" skills. I also think some of them were intimidated by the fact that I was an older student (I was 45 when I started my prereqs) and that I'd already had one successful career; several of my teachers went out of their way to make things difficult for me, but I made it through. It is hard being the neophyte again, rather than the mentor. Plus, we had to get by on my husband's income only while I finished up the last 16 months of school full time.

However, it was all worth it. I work 3-12 hr shifts a week, and really like having those other 4 days off, especially after doing the Mon-Fri grind for so many years. Although there are some days (like yesterday) when you will question why you ever wanted to do this, many days are emotionally rewarding. Even if only 1 of my 4 or 5 patients says "thank you for helping me today", it does make me feel as if I've made a difference in someone's life. I've "been there" for them, even if all I did was hold their hand while a MD does a bedside procedure. I also act as a mentor for nursing students and graduate nurses, and it is so rewarding to me to share my experiences (both good and bad) with these newcomers to the field - we need them so desperately! And your strong people skills are an advantage; you will use them every day.

Good luck to you in your decision making. Take a few of the prereqs and see how you like it. Feel free to PM if you have more questions.

luv2yoga · Jul 7, 2007

I just did it. I took my NCLEX this morning and only got 75 q's which is a good sign of passing. I worked for 21 years for a giant multi-national company, I am a CPA but I worked in IT most of my career. Very successful but like you, I felt tired of always being in front of my computer or on a conference call. I was managing people (programmers) in Asia. It wasn't fun any longer. It felt unimportant - just helping Giant Corp make more $$$. So I jumped. And I loved nursing school. I faced some of the same issues as previous posters. Let me just say, it's an enormous change in status from being a mentor/leader/boss to being a student. You need to be ready for it. Most of my professors were about my age and that was weird. But I just loved what I learned and I feel like I certainly made the right choice. I haven't started my job yet, but I worked as Nurse Tech in school and I did a senior preceptorship so I know what I'm in for. I wouldn't trade it for any big office or salary. There are things in life that are more important. And a little bonus -- I got the award as the best clinical student at graduation. I was so touched by that.

Ok, so advice - be sure you know what Nursing is really like. Volunteer at a hospital and talk a lot to the nurses. Read these forums - I learned a lot here. I am still surprised at times by how different nursing is from the office life.

SweetLadyJ · Jul 9, 2007

WOW zicovico... you sound EXACTLY like me except I'm 23 years old, and I just graduated from college with an accounting degree and an MBA degree last year. I have done several internships in accounting and I absolutely hate the "sitting-in-front-of-the-computer-all-day" routine too! I have been considering nursing because I like to help people and the corporate environment suppresses that desire. I'm in a cubicle all day with hardly any interaction. I also hate the office politics and hierarchy. And get this...I'm not even working in the field of accounting right now. The accounting department was eliminated at my company and I'm stuck in industrial engineering.

I'm attracted to nursing because of the fact that I can make a difference in someone's life, I will have accountability for my work, and the flexibility that comes with some aspects of nursing...in other words, I don't have to work a straight 8-4:30 Mon-Fri... I would rather work three 12-hour shifts.

I'm still a bit afraid to take that step in going back to school. I don't want to be disappointed after getting done with whatever nursing program I go through. See, after I graduated from college, it was soooo hard to get an accounting job. It is still hard now. It makes me feel like people do not think I'm competent to do the job or something. So I figure this accounting field isn't for me and neither is industrial engineering. UGH! It's so miserable and depressing. I know nursing can be depressing, but for me personally, I rather see different people all day than to sit my life away in a cubicle.

CareerChnger1974 · Jul 10, 2007

Well, it's nice to see there are a lot of people out there like me. I have been working in the corpporate world for almost 10 years. I have an MBA and my most recent job was as a Brand Manager for a Fortune 500. The problem was that I was totally miserable. I stuck it out as long as I could because the pay was so good (salary was in the six figures), but finally called it quits after my second child was born. I just couldn't take any more 60 hour work weeks when I desperately wanted to be doing something else. I have been dreaming of going into the nursing field for about 6 years now.

So, I start my clinicals for an ADN program next month. Most people around me think I am crazy to pay good money to go back to school for a cereer where I may some day make half the salary I once made.

Here's my big fear . . . I'll spend all of this time and money to become a nurse, and end up frustrated by my loss of "status". I have talked to several nurses who have given me some good advice about the career, but I don't feel like it is appropriate for me to ask, "So, do you ever have patients or doctors treat you in a derogatory way?" I think that would be a belittling question.

I have the utmost respect for nurses, especially after taking A&P and understanding the rigor of the coursework. Plus, I love the things I am learning. I'm just scared of making a mistake.

One piece of advice I do have, that has served me well so far. Be humble about your background and education. I have taken that approach so far in all of my pre-req classes. I never told any of my classmates or professors that I have a masters or even a bachelors. I think it makes you stand out in a bad way if people know that. Some will think that you believe you are "better" than them.

Good luck with your career change. I just took my CPR certification class a few weekends ago and came home so pumped! My husband commented that I must have finally found what I was meant to do because he had never seen me so excited about anything work related before!

zicovico · Jul 10, 2007

I made the change from accounting to nursing, and graduated with my ADN in 12/04. I wouldn't go back to that old life (the last 10 yrs of a 29 yr career spent at a well known brokerage firm) for anything. But it took the death of my brother and the events of 9/11 to challenge me to get started on my prereqs; I had been thinking about going into nursing for the previous 5 or 6 years. I figured I'd start the prereqs, see how I did and how I liked the content, and go from there. I was hooked after the 1st class, even though I hadn't been in school in 25 years! It took me 5 semesters (part time) to finish the prereqs and I started the "core" nursing classes full time in 09/03. I took my boards in 01/05, and have been working as a MedSurg floor RN ever since.
Nursing school was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Since most of the the teachers at my ADN program are educated as NURSES, not as TEACHERS, they were lacking in some actual "teaching" skills. I also think some of them were intimidated by the fact that I was an older student (I was 45 when I started my prereqs) and that I'd already had one successful career; several of my teachers went out of their way to make things difficult for me, but I made it through. It is hard being the neophyte again, rather than the mentor. Plus, we had to get by on my husband's income only while I finished up the last 16 months of school full time.
However, it was all worth it. I work 3-12 hr shifts a week, and really like having those other 4 days off, especially after doing the Mon-Fri grind for so many years. Although there are some days (like yesterday) when you will question why you ever wanted to do this, many days are emotionally rewarding. Even if only 1 of my 4 or 5 patients says "thank you for helping me today", it does make me feel as if I've made a difference in someone's life. I've "been there" for them, even if all I did was hold their hand while a MD does a bedside procedure. I also act as a mentor for nursing students and graduate nurses, and it is so rewarding to me to share my experiences (both good and bad) with these newcomers to the field - we need them so desperately! And your strong people skills are an advantage; you will use them every day.
Good luck to you in your decision making. Take a few of the prereqs and see how you like it. Feel free to PM if you have more questions.

I feel great already. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I have been pondering over this issue for quite a long time. This time around, no going back. I think my life is better being a Nurse. I am tired of seeing the same people every day, every week, every month, and from year to year. Being an Accountant is driving me nut. It's not about the money because I make very good money!! It's about life satisfaction; it's about a fullfilling career.

Again, thanks for your encouragement.

NursesRock83 · Jul 10, 2007

I'm currently a fulltime accountant by day, and fulltime LPN student by night.

I've been working in this profession since I finished highschool. There was something right about the timing for going back to school for nursing.

I really felt like I am at a dead end with this profession. It has it's benefits but I'm left feeling like "what did i really do today?" I want to do more then sit at a computer all day on excel. I want to better myself as a person and actually feel excited & happy about my work, I think the best way for me to do that is to help others.

Nursing school is different, challenging and hard hard work. But it is worth it & in the end I will be so happy to wear scrubs everyday to work vs heels, you do not even know!

I will be smiling ear to ear when I can walk out at the end of the day & say to myself, you know, I did actually do something meaningful today.

I wish you the very very best of luck & success!!

3rdgenRN2B · Dec 8, 2007

OK, so maybe you could help me. I am currently in school working on my pre-reqs when my father, who is a CPA, told me that if I switched paths and majored in accounting I would be made partner one day and inherit his practice. Now I just don't know what to do. I always thought I wanted to be a nurse but I also work for him as a bookkeeper and actually like it...

graciewacie · Mar 3, 2009

I am also an accountant that is tired of this career. I've done it for three years at at 24, I guess I still have some time to do a BSN. As an accountant, I don't feel like I'm doing anything of substance, and almost everyday I feel like I'm drowning in something I have no passion for.

I am seriously considering being a nurse as well because i want to do something that allows me to deal with people in a different environment. I have realized that I am not soley good with sitting in a cubicle and dealing with just numbers. I need to utilize my hands to help people as well.

I know that if I put my mind to this I can do it. Life is too short to do something you don't like!

Graced1 · Mar 31, 2009

Wow, it's comforting to see others are in a similar situation. I briefly worked public accounting and then moved to doing accounting in a government setting for the past 8 years. Ultimately, I got my CPA and MBA but now at the age of 45, I'm left wondering why and desirous of something more fulfilling. I'm still paying for my other degrees and trying to figure out how to fund and transition possibly to a nursing career. Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks.