career change to nursing the right choice?

[Dino]

Hi, I figured I would ask the guys on here about being a nurse and making a career change. I was anticipating going to a 2nd degree BSN program this fall, and hoping down the road to go anesthesia. But every time I go allnurses forums all I read is how miserable, overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated nurses are. I realize don't go by everything you read, but alot of people on here just have nothing good to say about the profession. Is it really this hard being a nurse?? My goal was to get the nursing degree and work in ICU, then after a couple of years apply to anesthesia program, if I don't get in then get nurse practitioner as back up. Currently, I work in pharm sales and earn a nice living, however, job security is very unstable in this profession, I have a biology degree and some grad courses in biological/medical sciences, and every time I think ok, this is the right choice, I read horrific stories on here about the nightmare on all levels of being a nurse. I have met RN's who became drug reps, and even they have said, there is no nursing shortage, there is just a shortage of nurses who want to continue to work in the field. Can any of you help out with some good advice??

[viablecalifornialove]

How did you get a second bachelors in 16 months? What is the name of the school?

[mhmo9804]

I am 40 and what I'm worried about is if I have what it takes to succesfully complete an ABSN (Microbiology and anatomy and physiology already seems very difficult to me) and finding out that I do not enjoy nursing after working so hard and spending so much money to do it. I really like the idea of helping and interacting with the patients. Like you, I am also worried about dealing with the poop and puke but figure I will get used to it.

I understand what you mean about working at the regionals. I spent a couple of years flying freight before spending over three years at a regional. It was a horrible QOL and the pay was absolutely ridiculous. Like you, I also got out of shape and was tired and depressed a lot of the time.

[CRNA2BKY]

Hey viable and mhmo, I too was a victim of the regionals and getting out of shape. Guess we are all in the same boat....or is it plane with us? Anyway, I was 39 when I decided to change careers. I knew I wanted to become a nurse anesthetist and I had to decide what the best way to get there for me was. So, I found out I could get a 2nd bachelors degree quickly by going through an Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing program...or ABSN Program. They are typically about 1.5 years long, and to get accepted, you first have to have a previous bachelors degree (in any major) and also have a few prerequisite classes completed. Typically, these classes are Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Psych (a Lifespan Development, or similar). Once the prerequisites are complete, or in progress, you can apply for the ABSN program. There are many around the country to choose from. I applied and was accepted to Northern Kentucky University to their program. The reason I chose this school was mainly that it was very close to where I live. I live right near CVG airport, so NKU is just a few miles away. And since they have an ABSN program, it just made sense to go there. Anyway, I successfully completed the program and passed my National Boards test (called the NCLEX). Taking and passing the NCLEX was by far the most stressful thing I have been though, and none of my checkrides or tests for aviation ever gave me as much stress as the NCLEX. So now, I am now working in an ICU, and in about a year, I will be applying to Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthetist programs. I'm now 42, so mhmo, you can do it too. Nursing is way different from what I expected. The medical profession, in general, is full of people who are MUCH less professional than those in aviation. For instance, you will run across nurses who will wine, back-stab, and "eat their young" as the expression goes. Then there are tons of physicians who look down upon nurses and are very short with them, think they are stupid, yell at them, and such. In aviation, the pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, etc., were all much more professional. Everyone pretty much always treated everyone with respect, and pilots don't look down upon flight attendants, and vice-versa. In nursing school, there was soooo much "busy work" that really doesn't make any nurse a better nurse. It frustrated me to no end to do so much busy work which took away from my actual time to learn and study the important things. I had several majors in my college career, and out of all the professors I had, in many different departments, I NEVER had so much busy work in my entire life. The whole thing made me think I was back in grade school instead of college. Very frustrating, and very dissatisfying. That being said, I knew it was just another hoop I had to jump through to achieve my new goals. And along the way, I did discover that there were indeed some very professional nurses out there, and some physicians that were extremely nice. So here I am, still learning a lot of new things, keeping a good attitude, trying to do everything I can to help those around me, and become the best nurse that I can. Then in a year from now, start thinking about going back to school...again

[mhmo9804]

CRNA2BKY,

Thank you for the excellent post and the encouraging words concerning the "age factor". I think I'm getting down about having to spend so much time at my desk to do well in my prerequisite courses and realizing that what I'm doing now is easy compared to nursing school. The school I've been admitted to only lasts twelve months and I've heard more than a few negative things about it. I enjoyed the comparison between the airline industry and what you've dealt with as a nurse from your peers. I agree with your assesment about the common courtesy, respect and camaraderie that are present in the airline industry. I applaud and admire your determination in pursuing a position as a nurse anesthetist.

[CRNA2BKY]

I do have to say that I do really enjoy helping the patients, and it is rewarding to know that I have helped someone. And many of the nurses are very helpful and lend me help whenever I need it. Nursing in the ICU setting can be very challenging, especially for a new graduate like me, and I am grateful to have other nurses around me that can help me and teach me new things. I have a whole new respect for the job that nurses do, because it really can be a lot of work! I do miss aviation, but I figure that in the future, I can always get back into flying, and do it for fun because I enjoy it. Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do. Know it is never to late to do anything you want to do. Research all your options, and do what you think is the best path for you.

[Miss Mab]

Hello gentleman,

Just wanted to throw in my thoughts from a former 'back end cargo' :) perspective. I never did the regional thing or even the commercial gig, I did international charter ops flying 100+ hours a month on average, mostly military troop transport. Anyway, I left and completed an ABSN program 3 years ago and have been working as an ER nurse since. I'm not surprised to see so many pilots looking into nursing as I think there are a lot of similarities to working in the aviation industry. Things as simple as shift living and scheduling your life in opposition to the rest of the world's 9-5 to the baseline ADD and boredom with 'sameness' that probably draws most of us to flying in the first place. To that end I do think you all have a lot going for you.

I think if anyone can handle pilot training and all that goes into it then you'll certainly be able to tackle the nursing curriculum with success. It is hard, especially in an accelerated format, but do-able. The only people I've seen fail are those who mistakenly assume it will simply be a cakewalk. I'll admit I didn't know how much information RN school covers or the sheer amount of info you're required to learn. It's a shame the general public isn't aware of it either but maybe as more folks try to transition to this field that will change. There's also a tremendous amount of, um, accessory learning that you'll have to get through to graduate nursing school. Agree with above about just sucking it up and getting through it. It's a means to an end.

So, all of that was to say that while I think nursing can be a great gig and would never discourage anyone without basis, I just really want you all from my former industry to understand that the environment you are walking into is, probably without question, unlike any you've encountered before. Especially if you're coming from the front-end role where a great deal of competency is assumed. True, we in the know are aware you all don't actually walk on water (lol) but at least as an FA I was somewhat familiar with the occasional ignorant assumption that I must be an uneducated moron to do that job. So, now that a greater number of people(docs, med students, PT, OT, housekeeping, your dog)will assume you must be an idiot because you're a nurse, I do have some experience to compare it too and therefore more experience in blowing it off. There is a lot of disrespect granted nurses, mostly unwarranted, but don't underestimate its existence or your ability to tolerate such for an extended period of time. Is it the end all be all about the job? No, but there is also no question if you're accustomed to being treated as a professional by virtue of existence that this new role will require serious adjustment. Be sure you understand this as you seek out environments that do reward and respect your nursing education and knowledge, because they surely do exist. Just a lot harder to find....

Anyway, good luck guys! I look forward to reading of your progress and will stick to just reading based on my, you know, female parts. I'll tell ya, though, it is hard to leave the flying behind. It absolutely gets in your blood, the lifestyle and coworkers as much as the job itself. I actually joined the AF reserve to work as a flight nurse in hopes of combining the two but my experience there is a whole other story...It's good experience for the resume, anyway.

Best of luck!

Mab

[CRNA2BKY]

Miss Mab, thanks for the great post. I never really understood how much nurses are required to learn in nursing school, and it flat-out took me by surprise. However, I got through it, and I am still learning so much now in the ICU. It really is the hardest thing I have ever done. I think the whole AF thing will be awesome, and combining your two experiences would be great. Anyway, good luck with everything, and thanks again for your input.

[viablecalifornialove]

Thanks for the input CRNA2BKY. Do you miss flying? Do you ever consider getting into corporate? I think I am going to check into Respiratory Therapy. What do you know about that career as far as pay, workload, fulfilling, looked upon?? I'm thinking about getting into RT whil the aviation industry gets sorted out and they finally pilots get the pay and QOL we deserve. Sometimes I hate that I have a passion for flying..it's like a drug addiction. You know it's an unstable lifestyle, but you just love it haha. Well thanks a lot

[CRNA2BKY]

Respiratory therapy is a good career too. I know that there are excellent RT's where I work, and they do an incredible job. I had to follow one for a day last week, and it was her day to carry the trauma center beeper. Everytime she got beeped, we had to rush to the trauma center. She was incredible working with the difficult airways and keeping people's airways secure and well ventilated. I really admired the job she did. Funny, I also met another RT that she works with, and he fly's for fun. He built himself a Europa experimental aircraft, and we talked a lot about flying. He says he and his wife fly all over the country whenever they get some vacation time. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, back to RT. I think it would be a good career too. I know there are not as many jobs out there for RT's as there are nurses, and I'm not quite sure what the pay is like.

I do miss flying, and I'm always reading all the aviation magazines I pick up at the bookstore. I also miss teaching flying a lot too, and so I keep my CFI license current. I met a doctor a couple of months ago, and she said her very best friend was a nurse anesthetist, and makes $300,000 a year. Once I heard that, I was pretty happy because I really want to buy my own plane and use it both for teaching, and to travel around the country covering other nurse anesthetists for a week or two at a time. So hopefully, I can do nursing and aviation together in the not-too-distant future. That's the plan anyway.

[viablecalifornialove]

Wow that is unbelievable that a nurse can make that type of money! Well it sounds like you have a pretty good plan for yourself. I magine I will probably only fly for recreation..maybe instruct here and there because lately I seem to really enjoy flying most when i am teaching someone or taking someone along for the first time and I get to feed off their excitement. Is it possible to become a nurse anesthetists after getting your BSN without working as a regualr RN first? Also what do y ou have to do to become a nurse anesthetist? Thanks for your time and help!

[CRNA2BKY]

yeah, the $300,000 was pretty high (not the highest i've heard though), but there are lots of starting salaries around $190,000. you would first have to get your Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN), either through a regular program or an accelerated program (ABSN). Then you have to work for at least a year in an ICU, take the GRE, and then apply to CRNA school. Some schools will let you apply before you have 1 year experience in the ICU, as long as you will have at least a year before you start their program. Some schools recommend 2 years of ICU expereince, but as a general rule, the 1 year requirement is common. Most CRNA programs run about 27 months, give or take a couple months. The ICU experience can be in a variety of ICU's (such as medical icu, surgical icu, neur icu, etc.), however most programs require it to be in an adult icu setting, not a pediatric icu. a few schools do allow pediatric icu experience though. Anyway, hope this helps.

[WorkinTheStreets]

..... all to make peanuts and not even a stable source of peanuts.

Oh sure...that's why there are no more peanuts in coach...the folks in the cockpit are taking them all!!! :lghmky:

HAHAHA...just couldn't resist! Pilots Rock!