Career switch

U.S.A. Virginia

Published

Hi All,

I am new to this forum. A little history: I was in the medical field about 15 years ago. Worked as a medical assistant, and a PCA in a hospital in NY. I also have my phlebotomy certification and EMT cert.

I took a job in another field because they offered tuition riembursment ...hoping to go back for nursing. However, the hours I worked in addition to forced OT did not afford me that opportunity. My employer is offering a buy ouy, and this will definately give me the chance to return to school to persue this.

I have been haunting these threads for months now, and I do admit ...what I am reading is discouraging. I see long waits for jobs....and it's not pretty. I guess what I am thinking is this.....the job situation is horrible EVERYWHERE right now, correct? Im pretty sure almost everyone has long waits in finding a job. Is nursing in line with other careers or do you think it's worse? I can't imagine someone with a nursing degree NEVER finding a job lol! But what do you think? Should I even consider doing this or ditch it for something else? (which I really dont want to do)

How long did it take you to find a job once you graduated?

How hard was the job search?

How do you like your job now?

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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I'm in a similar situations, so I can't really answer your question about the job search...but I will say from the moment I decided to go back to school and started my prereqs, my life has taken on a new meaning...which makes up for the difficult journey I (we) have ahead of us.

When I was mulling over the possibilities and thinking of the obstacles I felt nothing but stress, but after weighing the pros and cons of switching careers, I realized that I have a passion for this, and while I know it's going to be a hard road, I've been looking forward to the journey ever since I made the decision to do, and stopped wondering.

Good luck :)

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

How long did it take you to find a job once you graduated?

How hard was the job search?

How do you like your job now?

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated.

I had a position waiting for me when I graduated. I was working as a PCT at the time. I NM new that I was graduation soon. The only thing I had to do was to make that transition over. I did not have to do a job search. The current position Im in now, I love my job. I am working in a prn pool. I float between five units and dont be bored. The most important thing is the politics going on the units.

My advice to you is go to nursing school. I feel that we will not be in this low economy long. I would work as a PCT but other states that dont help. It will get you feet in the door. Everyone I worked with at my job, when were PCT's we didnt have a problem getting nursing positions. Place your applications in 6 mos before graduating from nursing schools for different units or positions. Dont wait until you finish school. You may want to network and volunteer at some type of clinic at some point of time even in or out of nursing school. I hope this helps and good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med-Tele, Internal Med PCU.

Great advice LK.

There are 2 things I would add: 1- you may dream of being in NICU, L&D, or ED, keep your options open. 2- be open to relocation, especially if you won't live by rule #1.

Personally, I am thrilled with my decision to go in to nursing as a second career. I will also say that there are a lot of career switchers, more than I'd have thought. I think we are treated a bit differently than the 22 year old new grad, mainly because we are 30-45 and have lived a little my managers seem to empathize that it's tough to start over after being having atleast some success in another field.

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