Considering career change to nursing...any advice?

Nurses Career Support

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Hi everyone,

I apologize in advance for the length...I'm a 34 y/o living in Alabama who is considering a career change to nursing. I've been doing some research on nursing degrees/careers/demand and was wondering if anyone might have some advice since this field is rather foreign to me at this point.

I have degrees and experience in Psychology and education and had recently gone back to school online to uneasily pursue an HR degree (not sure it was what I wanted to do)--then my mother was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer 3 months ago. I dropped out immediately to be her caregiver. She has since passed away. I also cared for my dad two years ago when he was ill for three months with the same diagnosis. During that same time, I helped care for my grandmother who had dementia and some mobility issues.

I share this as at least a part of my reasoning for considering a career in nursing. As you can see from my degrees, I have a heart for the helping professions. During all these caregiving stints, I have been told repeatedly by different nurses that I have "missed my calling" and that I'm "a natural". Perhaps they were just being nice or trying to encourage me as a caregiver, perhaps they were sincere. At any rate, I had considered the medical field in the past, but now, after going through what I have with both my parents, I am feeling a tug to possibly take what have been both wonderful and extremely difficult experiences and use them as the inspiration to move into this field, possibly into the area of hospice, specifically.

Again, sorry so long, but I wanted to give some background for anyone who might have any thoughts on my situation. I am looking into an Associate RN program at a community college, but the deadline for Fall is like next week. Not sure I have time on that, but at any rate I have lots of questions which I'm hoping I can answer soon so I can move forward. Some of my questions have to do with which degree would be best, how difficult it is to get into an associate RN program, the option of doing an LPN first, RN/LPN demand, medical assisting as an option, workload of nursing school with a family, etc... I've been reading posts on this site and seem to be getting conflicting info...for example, talk of difficulty finding jobs/market saturation??? All I see on Job Search sites in Birmingham are tons of medical positions--many of them nurses.

Any thoughts/advice? Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Gyn/STD clinic tech.

at most schools, like mine, you must have taken your a&p 1&2, microbiology, and other non nursing require courses before you can even apply to enter the program.

if nursing is soemthing that you feel is right for you, then you should speak with a counselor and find out what you need.

this is a good starting point, find out what you need in order to apply.

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Hello,

I doubt I've ever seen a better stated motivation for going into nursing. When things get tough in nursing school (and they do), that is what gets you through. The support from working nurses is awesome.

It looks like you have no shot for this fall, but I would advise you to set up appointments with advisors or attend nursing information sessions at the schools you are considering. That will give you some idea on what you have to do before applying. Hint: You are probably already behind in preparation for applying for Fall 2012.

I found getting into an Associate Degree RN program very easy - just apply with all the prerequisites filled and a 4.0 GPA. Easier said than done and it took me over a year.

I didn't do an LPN first because the prerequisites for both programs were about the same and the application and waiting process for LPN to RN adds another year.

I considered Medical Assistant, but found the course to be expensive and time consuming with little prospect of jobs in my area. Most MAs I saw were hired from within or with really good networking contacts.

Lots of good info on family and nursing school on this board. From your background, you should have some good prioritizing and planning skills.

The job market is tied to the economy. As the economy improves, so will the job market and as you point out - it depends on your location.

Good luck!

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I say "Go for it!" I am 35 and also have a degree in Psychology. I'm completing prerequisites now and hoping to start nursing school next fall (2011). I'm going to get my associates and then hopefully do my BSN online. I'm so excited about finally pursing a lifelong dream! I have 3 children (youngest is 3), so I'm doing the prereqs slowly so I will start full-time nursing courses when my little one goes to kindergarten. That has been helpful because I can take one class at a time and really do my best. It is also nice to slowly get them (kids and hubby) used to me being away for classes and for study time. (I take classes at night at the local community college). I'll echo the previous poster who suggested that you set up a meeting with an advisor at the school you'd like to attend. You'll need to get HS and college transcripts and figure out which classes you need. At my school the science classes fill up quickly, so you'll want to know when sign-ups begin. I made the mistake of not staying up until midnight on the night registration began, and by the next morning the class I needed was gone! Good luck with your new career!

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your background sounds fantastic...figure 2-3yrs realistically w prereqs/waitlists/etc but, once you get there the economy will probably be somewhat better. Right now job opportunities are limited.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Sorry for your losses. I started nursing school at 34, and maturity was a huge advantage for me, and some other mature students felt the same way. You have already demonstrated impressive compassion. I say go and get your RN license. Nursing school can be hard, but over the years I've been a nurse I've always felt Nursing gave me much more than it demanded of me.

Nursing is mostly science, note all the "ology" classes. If you do well in science classes, you'll do well in school. Good luck.

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It shouldn't take you 2-3 years to finish prerequisites, unless you plan on taking 1 class per semester. I was in somewhat of a similar situation as yourself a year ago. I started this whole process in May '09, in which I had to research schools & programs, meet with advisors, attended many open houses, and took a total of 7 prerequisites, A&P I&II, microbiology, gen chemistry, and a few others, and was done in January 2010 and waiting to start school in May. My previous degree is in Political Science so I had no prior experience with science subjects. I'm starting my ABSN in a week, exactly 1 year from the date I started the process.

Depending on your time & flexibility you can complete the preparation process in less than a year. Do your research & figure out the schools you're interested in then take it from there. Just wanted you to get an idea of the process from another perspective. Though its not a walk in the park its not as difficult and drawn out as many portray it to be.

Good Luck!

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Thanks everyone for your information and encouragement. I'm going to speak to an advisor at the school I'm interested in today but I'm glad to get some real world perspective from you guys too. The medical field is huge in Birmingham and there are tons of schools, so I'm hoping the process may be a little shorter than what some of you have experienced but I see that I will have some prereqs I can be working on. Thanks again!

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It shouldn't take you 2-3 years to finish prerequisites, unless you plan on taking 1 class per semester. I was in somewhat of a similar situation as yourself a year ago. I started this whole process in May '09, in which I had to research schools & programs, meet with advisors, attended many open houses, and took a total of 7 prerequisites, A&P I&II, microbiology, gen chemistry, and a few others, and was done in January 2010 and waiting to start school in May. My previous degree is in Political Science so I had no prior experience with science subjects. I'm starting my ABSN in a week, exactly 1 year from the date I started the process.

Depending on your time & flexibility you can complete the preparation process in less than a year. Do your research & figure out the schools you're interested in then take it from there. Just wanted you to get an idea of the process from another perspective. Though its not a walk in the park its not as difficult and drawn out as many portray it to be.

Good Luck!

No I said 2-3 years to ABSN completion. I am six months from completion and began prereqs in Jan 09...realistically I will need 2 months after graduation from nursing school to study for boards (they just made them harder, GREAT!). It takes year or so for prereqs.

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