Changing Careers to Nursing. Advice needed

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

Please don't go into anything where you will have to touch patients.

Your "type" is not the kind that likes patients (obvious in your RUSH to get things done) and I would hate for someone's mother to suffer.

Stay in computers--nurse informatics.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

well....first. take a good long HARD look at why you want to change careers. It ain't for the money, it ain't for the respect, it's mostly about the help you give. I don't say that the money isn't great, but it's very middle of the road.

I firmly believe that if you are just trying to find job security or get through it quick, stay in the field you're in.

amoslieber · Nov 30, 2009

Please describe my "type"? I would have hoped that a nurse would be a little more open minded but I guess not. What would your response be if I wanted to maximize tuition costs and stay in school as long as possible? Would your response be as bitter?

Please, I'm looking for responses to my question, not to be judged unfairly.

neonatal_nurse · Nov 30, 2009

You're so right, JoPACURN!

We have ENOUGH of these "business-minded" types. Please evaluate yourself more before pursuing a degree in nursing. It's not the amount of time you finish your studies, get your achievemements and bragging rights. Being a nurse is about total patient care-- way beyond getting your diploma asap. Ask yourself why you want to get into this profession, because it's a long and hard road, not to mention very expensive.

jamonit · Nov 30, 2009

basically, what she is saying is this "nursing can really, really suck."

you will be absolutely exhausted in every sense of the word. emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.

it is NOT easy money. if you want easy money, do not go into a patient care type setting and steer

away from nursing.

but, if you don't mind having poop thrown at you, being exposed to diseases on a regular basis, getting no respect from doctors patients (and obviously other nurses), don't mind getting peed on or possibly physically harrassed, be a nurse. just know that it is THE toughest job. I know, i am a second career nurse.

all that aside, this is what i suggest: get your BSN. from there, get a DNP or CRNA. you have to have a couple years ICU training if you want to be a CRNA, and for nurse practitioner or any midlevel/higher ed grad, I would recommend ICU training anyways. Go to a university. many have programs for dual degree students--like fast track bsn for those with bachelor's in another field. nursing school is awful and grueling. just make sure you are in it for the right reasons or there is no way you will stick with it. i'm serious. being a nurse is seriously a huge committment.

amoslieber · Nov 30, 2009

Thanks for the response. I'm definitely applying to BSN degrees. What disadvantages (if any)do you think there might be to getting an RN first? I'm definitely going to be applying to 2nd degree BSN degrees, but the cost savings by getting the RN just seem to be huge especially since I can work while I get the BSN afterwords.

jamonit · Nov 30, 2009

well, i did it the way you are speaking of--went back and got my RN after i had a bachelor's in psych. it is hard to work fulltime and get bsn. even online. plus, another thing to consider--if you want to get into a good crna program, you better go to a good bsn school. don't go to a pseudo-half-a$$ school. these crna programs are competitive and want people that graduated from great programs. just follow it through with a fast track bsn. i promise, from experience, that this is the best way to do it. it won't be easy, but getting the bsn right away will be worth your time and $$ in the long run.

krimicrat · Nov 30, 2009

I am getting my BSN. I have a previous degree, and it will have taken me 3 years to get the BSN. I chose this route for several reasons:

1) I personally am uncomfortable with the accelerated BSN route. I feel that I need the full 5 semesters of our nursing program to really learn. 14 months is not long enough, IMO.

2) I considered ADN programs (which are 2 years here), but I could not get financial aid because of my previous degree. I realized that I would actually be done faster and have a BSN b/c of the long wait lists for ADN programs here. This ended up being a great turn of fate for me, and I am grateful it turned out this way. I started classes in June 2009, and will graduate May 2012.

3) I did run the numbers (because it would have been imprudent NOT to) and for me, the numbers worked. I am not looking to make tons of money when I graduate; actually I know I'll probably make less than I did in my former profession. But the numbers worked enough for me to know it was a prudent decision to make the jump, and go ahead and move forward.

I understand your need to get done with school as quickly as possible - I need to be done as soon as possible too. This is because I quit a job to pursue my goal. I have kids and a husband to whom I am accountable, and so I decided downsizing at home and going to school full time was the best option for us. I'm confident you know why you want to become an RN, and that you have considered what it might be like to be an RN.

I haven't discussed why I decided to pursue becoming an RN, as that is a totally different conversation. I imagine that is why you left that part of the story out. Good luck, I hope you reach your goals!

shoegalRN, RN · Nov 30, 2009

I suggest shadowing a nurse for 12 hours and then make your decision.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Nov 30, 2009

Fortunately for you, there are several options from which to choose in order to fulfill your goal. You have the option of participating in a second-degree option or to go to a community college to get your Associate’s degree. I would determine which of your priorities is most important (The time to complete, the costs, ect…). If time is of the essence, then a second-degree option may be your best bet. If saving money is more important, than a community college program would be the way to go.

Don’t pay any attention to the two posters who are “experts’ in deciding who should or should not go into nursing. I am doing a 14-month second bachelor program. I put in the same number of clinical hours and class time as traditional students. There is a distinct difference between my cohort and the traditional students; maturity. I will say it takes a special person who wants to become a nurse. However, I don’t think there is a single mold that has been created to determine who should or should not become one.

amoslieber · Nov 30, 2009

well, i did it the way you are speaking of--went back and got my RN after i had a bachelor's in psych. it is hard to work fulltime and get bsn. even online. plus, another thing to consider--if you want to get into a good crna program, you better go to a good bsn school. don't go to a pseudo-half-a$$ school. these crna programs are competitive and want people that graduated from great programs. just follow it through with a fast track bsn. i promise, from experience, that this is the best way to do it. it won't be easy, but getting the bsn right away will be worth your time and $$ in the long run.

Aaah thank you. That is what I suspected... that a CRNA program would require a good BSN. Again, that's not necessarily my goal, but I definitely want to keep the options open. I think part of my reason for exploring RN programs was in part because of doubts that I would get into the BSN program that I want. Anyways, thank again for the response.