Changing careerS

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Just curious if there are any other career changers? I am a former public school science teacher who has decided to pursue my original passion, which is nursing. I kick myself all the time because I started out as pre-med, then switched to nursing, and from there to math/science education.

I was a general contractor for many years. Lost it all with the big crash. I graduate in May 2014. Looking forward to a steady career.

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I was a CNC Machinist for about 5 years until I was laid off. Originally thought I would pursue Pharmacology, but found that Nursing better suited me, and my personal goals.

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Go for it, I felt the same way. I was a Purchasing Manager for more than twenty years before going back to nursing school and now I have passed my exit hesi and graduating in December 18, 2013. You will be the old guy in class but it will be to your advantage. Best advise is to stay out of the politics and stick to the important stuff, studying! Good luck)

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Switching careers after I get out of the Marine Corps. I have done what will be 4 years in Sept 2014. Looking for colleges in my area to start my pre reqs. My wife is a cna and her brother is a CRNA and I have listened to their experiences and I feel this change will be for the better! I am very excited to be making a complete 360 into the nursing field. Looking forward to this new career path! I live in temecula, ca so if anyone has any info on good rn programs or have any advice they would like to give, feel free! Thanks

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Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

i left the telecommunication field for nursing school.

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I do maintenance in oil refinery and chemical/power plants. Been doing this crap for 7 years and I'm tired of the up and down of work. Some months it's hot (12 hour days 7 days a week for a month straight) and sometimes it's cold (I would be lucky for 30 hours a week. More likely 8-20 hours when it's slow). I love the work but I can't build a future off this so I'm switching careers to nursing

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Though, i never really had a career I also went through a big change. I was originally a high school drop out, and worked in factories and meat plants for about 7 years going from job to job. I got extremely dissatisfied with how life was going for me. I was 24 with no high school diploma and working in terrible jobs, and it stressed me out. Eventually I couldn't handle the stress anymore, worrying about my future, so I quit my job and asked my dad if it was okay if I moved back in so that I could return to school. Over a summer i finished off 12 required high school classes, applied to College, to attend in September, got accepted, and graduated with distinction. I then applied to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, got accepted and now i'm going into my 4th semester, and boy has it been a ride!

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I went to a traditional 4-yr undergrad, got my psychology degree, didn't do anything with it, worked various entry level jobs (insurance claims - Progressive PIP rep - worst job ever; IT sales; customer service; retail hopped), at the ripe age of 29 decided I would go back to school. Applied to the nursing program, found out my core science and math classes have a 5-year expiration, so couldn't get in. Had to re-take EVERYTHING, along with A&P & Micro which I didn't need for my undergrad, then apply again, and got in when I was 32. First semester ADN here, just had our final, feeling relieved, but didn't do as hot as I wanted to. Will need to amp it up next semester.

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I have been in law enforcement for the past 4 and a half years. Just over 2 years ago, I watched half of my patrol squad get laid off just before the city began chomping at the bit to "reform" our pension. I decided to revisit the idea of nursing school which I initially considered after my time in the military. I start nursing school here in Jacksonville, FL in January.

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I was an engineer for almost 20 years. I got tired of always wondering when the layoffs were going to hit and the 'keep your resume updated' mentality. I was also weary of the uncompensated overtime and the travel (which was fun for awhile but got very old).

I've been a nurse for 4 years and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

There are aspects of engineering that I miss and aspects of nursing that I'd like to miss but overall, my present nursing job (my 3rd) is a much better gig than were most of my (5) engineering jobs.

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Former teacher turned nurse. Best decision I've made for myself!

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Dewman said:
My sad but true advice is to NOT go into nursing.

I was an engineer for over 20 years, and saw my last two jobs basically shipped to Mexico. I went back to school to study nursing, partially because I liked it, and partially because of the supposed job security and demand for nurses.

Well, there IS no demand for nurses these days - at least not for new nurses. Every hospital wants 1-2 years experience, but none are willing to GIVE you that experience. The only RN positions are ones that can be filled by an RN or an LPN, in long term care.

In my last position in LTC, I had responsibility for 35 patients. I called it "McNursing", because there is no way to provide quality nursing care for that many patients.

I didn't go to nursing school for this. My time in nursing school seems to have been a waste.

I was an engineer too. (Jobs in my field shipped to China). Unlike Dewman, I am thrilled about my career change. I did my time in a horrible LTC, but I did it as my first CNA job. Got the heck out after working there two years during school.

If your main concern is job security or pay, don't go into nursing. They will never be able to pay you enough and you will be miserable. I work with some 25+ year nurses who absolutely hate coming to work, except for the pay. Looks horrible.

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