Career change from mechanic to nurse

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Hello all! I'm currently working as a Naval mechanic for the Department of Defense. Although the pay and benefits are good, I am starting to feel that the work is monotonous. I've always shown an interest in the medical field, but wasn't sure what to pursue while I was growing up. That however has changed, as I now have a deep appreciation for what nurses do. Last year, I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (non ischemic) and CHF, and it was with the help of these nurses (one of which is a very close friend) and doctors that I was able to recover to an almost normal lifestyle. Also, being exposed to an experience such as my illness has made me very appreciative/interested in nursing.

For now, I'll be taking some pre-requisite courses (I live in the beautiful state of Hawaii) to see if I'm still up to the challenge. As far as experience goes, I've helped a lot with my GFs studying when she was enrolled in a BSN program (she has since then changed her major to public health and graduated). I've also been told from a lot of my close friends who are nurses that me being exposed to illness such as this would give me an "advantage" because I've literally been put in a patients point of view. With all that being said, from an RN's perspective, would this venture still be a wise choice? Hope to hear from you all soon!

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It is a wise choice, in that you are taking courses and testing the waters.

In the meanwhile, I would think about an EMT course, so that you can become quickly involved in pre-hospital care. There are some ambulance companies that will help pay for some of your nursing education.

Best wishes to you!

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I forgot to mention, that I am still relatively young, about 29. This would potentially be a mid career change....:)

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU, Trauma.

I just made that same switch. I started as a mechanic and fabricator at 15, worked for BMW dealer then opened my own hotrod shop. I went to UTI at 18 but no other college. At 23 I became an EMT on an ambulance and loved it. I went back to cars for a couple years after relocating and EMT pay was horrible. At 28 I went to a private accelerated ADN program and just graduated in May at the age of 30 with my RN. I think the mechanic background was a huge advantage in terms of critical thinking, diagnostics, and just basic mechanics of how things work like hydraulics etc. People don't really think about associating the 2 until you bring all these points up. Get your EMT and go work in a hospital. I did Ambulance because I was planning on fire fighting but fell in love with the medical aspect. Get a taste for that side of it while you do the pre reqs. Stay at your job and do EMT part time if you have to. Nursing is a great career, so many routes you can take. I have 4 interviews now and am excited to continue on to DNP CRNA, which is my ultimate goal. Good luck!

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So far I haven't seen anyone tell someone they aren't cut out for nursing, regardless of background and previous career experiences. I've been looking into it due to the fact that the factory that I work in is slowly winding down and I am eventually going to lose my job via either layoffs or plant closure. On one hand I'm scared to death to lose my job because I make great money and have excellent benefits, but the more I look into nursing the more excited I get to make the change. My job is very mundane! In the 1st half of my career I was able to move around and work on different semiconductor manufacturing equipment on new teams so the change and learning process was invigorating at the time that I needed it. The last 7 years I have been locked down doing the same thing and its to the point that it is about to drive me crazy. What appeals to me about nursing is that there are so many different career paths. It seems that there is ample opportunity to move around and experience different aspects of nursing if and when you feel bogged down.

I'm not saying I hope to get laid off this round, but if I do then I am more excited by the idea of changing than I am afraid of it. Even if I make it 4-5 more years then I think I will still make the change, but with no house payment!!!

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