Career change here too

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 7, 2016

Have you thought about the Physician Assistant route? I'm not trying to steer you out of nursing but if your final goal is to have a provider role, that would you save you a lot of time by skipping the long way of completing the BSN part and applying to an NP program later.

ottersloveoysters · Oct 7, 2016

I completely agree with the previous poster about considering PA school. Also, just a heads up, some NPs would not look favorably on your comment that being a NP is "the next best thing" to being a physician.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Oct 7, 2016

You have more than enough education requirements to enter a PA program.....you would save money and time....best wishes

FreudianSlip · Oct 7, 2016

If your end goal is to help people, there are so many options that you could take before making a career change; especially one that will (at first) dramatically reduce your income. You should be forewarned that nursing is HARD WORK and the nursing model and the medical model of education are quite different. You may have some buyer's remorse if you don't do your research first. You will likely not do this, but I would recommend that you work part-time as a nurse's aid/tech before committing to a nursing program. It will give you a feel for the working environment.

That being said, nursing has been very rewarding for me and I wholeheartedly recommend it. But, I've never done anything else, so I can't really compare (never been a physicist) :)

To answer your questions-yes, the quality of the school does matter, as do NCLEX pass rates. No, you don't need to attend a school that offers both the BSN and MSN. You can attend those programs separately at separate schools. If you plan on getting your NP, be advised that you will not likely be able to do that while working part time still-the clinical hours would make that difficult, unless your work is very flexible.

Good luck whatever your decisions!

The_Physicist · Oct 8, 2016

Hello,

Thanks for all the response. I did think about PA school awhile ago and briefly looked into it. However, I didn't know it was a shorter route? This is definitely a plus. And yes, I know the PA's go to med school and RNs to go nursing school.

Since I have a BS or MS, I only have to take 2 yrs to get my BSN.

Yes, and understand that clinical will need much time and I am prepared for it. I was more concerned about the class room settings in regards to time.

As far as the "NPs the next best thing" comment, I was referring to the amount of time I have left in my life compared to MD. I've talked to other doctor friends and colleagues and they it would take 8 yrs before I can practice. I can't spare 8 yrs or even 6 yrs of my life full-time to becoming a doctor. I also have family to think of and take care of. The other item I was including in this comment was funding for schooling. Again, time and funding where the major contributor.

The_Physicist · Oct 8, 2016

Have you thought about the Physician Assistant route? I'm not trying to steer you out of nursing but if your final goal is to have a provider role, that would you save you a lot of time by skipping the long way of completing the BSN part and applying to an NP program
later.

Hello Juan,

Is your comment assuming I will take 4yrs for BSN and 2yrs for MSN? How long is the PA route?

nutella, MSN, RN · Oct 8, 2016

Hello,
I plan on going to RN school, getting my BSN and then MSN (want to get NP) has been on my mind for some time. I am ready to make a change in career.
I am 40 years old, live in Los Angeles and have my MS in Physics. Since I graduated from college I have held engineering positions. I have 15 years of experience in engineering and make decent money, $150k. If I do attend nursing school, I will go part-time in my engineering work.
Reason I want to go into nursing is I like helping people. I understand that I may not get too much time with them. I also wanted to become a doctor but being an NP is the next best thing. Other reasons are job security.
My question is does the school, brick and mortar, really matter in which you attend for BSN? My gut reaction and observation to this question is that the school for BSN doesn't really matter because agencies hire RNs from other countries to fill nursing positions in the USA. Of course those RNs have passed the NCLEX.
Is it necessary to attend a school that offers BSN and MSN if I plan on getting my MSN?
I have read some post on online vs brick and mortar schools. I personally like brick and mortar but having a school that allows me to do both would be nice just in case I cannot make it to class due to business or personal reasons.
A blog I read stated that one should pick a nursing school that has an 85% higher passing rate of the NCLEX. I also saw a website that showed schools with % passing rate. How valid are these %? Does this mean that if I go to a school that has a low passing rate, relate to me passing/failing the exam?
Thanks in advance for your opinion,
TP

To be honest - I think there is one major flaw in your plan. I think it is unrealistic to assume you would be able to go to nursing school and keep an engineering job part time. Also, your income as a nurse would be less with more general strain IMO. Considering finances is important in your stage of life. If you have an established career now, stability, and a family it is probably good to look at it closely.

You mention nursing because of the "caring" and stability but both need more thinking.

Caring as a profession is not the way a lot of people assume. There is no glory in nursing - it has developed into an area that is financially driven like everything else in healthcare and the role of the nurse requires more than "caring". There is a lot of chaos in healthcare and nursing, which comes with the complexity of healthcare and the way we deliver it. Constant change. Constant potential for conflict and disagreement from all sides. Potentially punitive work environment. Endless tasks and not enough time. The provider role NP is not the same as being a physician. Job security is not a given anymore.

I would like to know why you do not consider staying in your field of expertise. If you are just looking for some kind of human interaction that gives you some fulfillment in life volunteering could provide you with that. What is it about your current job that you do not want to stay in that field?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Oct 8, 2016

Hello Juan,
Is your comment assuming I will take 4yrs for BSN and 2yrs for MSN? How long is the PA route?

Well, the PA route is typically 2 years full time but you will likely need pre-requisite courses in the biological sciences before you start. This is a list of all the PA programs in the US: PAEA Program Directory

NP programs in your case can be quite complicated depending on what route you take. You could either attend an accelerated BSN (usually 1.5-2 years), get some RN experience (or not), and then go onto a Master's degree program for another 2 years or so full time (some are less than 2 years full time). Here is a list of accelerated BSN programs: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/research-data/BSNNCG.pdf

You also have the option to attend an entry level Master's (basically combined BSN/MSN) with an NP focus. They are pretty common in California and usually takes about 3 years full time. Here is a list of programs offering an entry level Master's (note that not all are NP programs): http://www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/research-data/GENMAS.pdf

Dallas Stars RN MN · Oct 10, 2016

It's great that you want to help people and as make an impact on humanity and relieve the pain and suffering that is a part of life. I think that you are already in a great position to do so through volunteer opportunities with awesome orgs like Engineers Without Borders, or Habitiat for Humanity, or any plethora of other far reaching community based non profits that make a difference. Why not work towards a board position with a hospital or a non profit? Lobby your local politician for change in your community? Or transition into engineering roles that have a positive impact- clean water, clean environment, building green spaces for healthy communities, and so on. There are so many ways to help your community and make an impact without changing careers.

Be careful before you make the assumption that you will get feel good vibes out of nursing or healthcare in general. Take a look through this site and you will get the jist of what the day to day of working in healthcare has become and how over time so many caring healthcare providers become worn out and disillusioned. As the previous poster said, there is no glory in nursing and the profession can take a tremendous toll on you physically and emotionally. There are many on this site that would envy your current position. You will also take a considerable pay cut, even if you become an NP or a PA. The previous poster had a good idea that you should shadow in order to know what you are really getting into. Talk to as many healthcare providers as you can so you can really make an informed decision before moving in this direction.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2016

Do you realize how much of a paycut you will be taking? You say well, it's only two years to become an RN. That's after you fulfill the prerequisites. I doubt in physics you have fulfilled the nursing prereqs. I'm sure you have all the gen ed ones and several of the science, but I'm sure there's a few you don't.

Then, after you get your BSN, you will have to pass NCLEX. Many masters and doctorate NP programs require some working nursing experience. And that is also to your advantage. Then, you apply to NP which is another 2-4 years depending on whether or not you get your masters or doctorate.

Plus, I see you are in LA. Do you have any idea how saturated that market is? Schools out there have waiting lists that are years long.

Look, I get you don't feel fulfilled with your life gig. We see on here no less than 20 of these threads a week. I just think you are going about this all wrong and there are so many other ways to make you feel fulfilled in life. I love my job, but it's not what fulfills me. I feel fulfilled when I donate to food pantries, help out the homeless and veterans. My charity works is what fulfills me in life.

And yes, I do monthly donations to food pantries. Some of which are actually in hospitals. I take hygiene items to homeless shelters. I take food to animal shelters. We walk dogs at those shelters. That is my fulfillment. I also do veteran homes at Christmas. Playing cards, socks, robes, hygiene items.............. All great things.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2016

I see you are in LA. Do you have any idea how saturated that market is?

Your point is salient...the greater Los Angeles area has a profound glut of new grad RNs and not enough nursing jobs to absorb everyone who wants to work. The situation has been this way since late 2008 to early 2009.

Do not listen to warnings of a nursing shortage because one does not exist in L.A. I concur with other respondents' suggestions to explore PA programs.