Do you have a back up to Nursing?

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I am starting in less than a week my prerequisites to enter into an associate's of nursing degree program, and I am just wondering, do any of you have a plan if Nursing doesn't work out? Of course I really want to be a nurse, and I think I can do it. But I keep reading stories on here of people who've spent years in school, tons of money, only to find that when they get to clinicals they aren't necessarily suited to Nursing or just don't have the knack for it. So if something like that happens, do you have a fall back plan? Will the courses we take be accepted for something like physical therapy, radiology, or maybe respiratory therapist? Something else in the medical field? I am hoping and praying that I do as well as I want to, but I'm also aware that sometimes wanting isn't enough. What are your thoughts or plans?

this is such a great question. i honestly haven't thought about it, but this is the best time to figure it out. thanks for planting that seed in my mind.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Commanderzoom, do you know the type of degree required for working in social services like foodstamps, medicaid, etc?

In MO, they prefer something like criminal justice, psychology, or sociology. I don't think it really matters, though, as long as you have 60 credit hours with 2 years of experience working with the public or 120 hours with no experience.

Go to your state's website and you should be able to find out.

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My other career areas are less viable for earning a living than healthcare. When I was laid off from a healthcare job many years ago I could not find employment elsewhere, even with my extensive background. Ageism is alive and well. Add to that a tremendous gap in related employment and I believe that, again, I would be virtually unemployable if not for nursing. I hope when I leave my last nursing job, that I am capable of sustaining myself without gainful employment. If not, I need to scope out my little niche under an underpass somewhere.

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My back up is Medical School.

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Nursing would be my second career. I got a BS in biology, worked as a molecular biology lab tech for a few years... and I hated it. It was so lonely :stone So I did some research and figured out I wanted to go into nursing. I plan to eventually get a MPH, but I am more attracted to the opportunities I'd have with an RN.

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I have already started my back up plan, which is occupational therapy assistant. I'm still applying for nursing programs but I would rather be able to choose between the two, rather than continue to wait without working towards something productive. Nursing is my first choice, but if I don't get in a nursing program by this Spring, I will finish my OTA program before further pursuing any endeavors in nursing since I would only have two semesters left in that program.

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I have my BS in Business/Marketing Comm. That's my backup if I don't get into the Nursing program. I'm trying to get a position in Healthcare Marketing right now. I have zero work experience in the healtcare field and it's HARD out there, but I keep on keepin on.

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I am currently taking prerequisites for nursing school. I am glad I found this thread. I am VERY much a Type A personality, a "planner", and have been trained to come up with a plan A, B, and C. I had worked in medical education and pharmaceutical meeting planning and LOVED it, but unfortunately it is not a secure industry, as I found out in this economy. I am becoming VERY intimidated and paranoid though, because I feel like EVERYONE who has been laid off is entering the nursing field, and programs are so competitive.

My plan A is getting into an accelerated 2nd degree BSN, as I already have a BSJ.

Plan B is....I don't know! I don't know if I should apply to the local community college's ADN program, become an OTA, a PTA, an MA....I want to be in the medical field, but I can't afford to live off an hourly income....and I want to pursue a master's at some point...

I also feel like I'm racing the clock. I want to be done with school and established in a career before starting a family. I'm 30, and I already feel like by the time I'm done with school, even an accelerated program, I'll be "too old" to start a family.

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Since nursing is a career change for me, a back up plan hasn't even crossed my mind. I am going to pray and if nursing doesn't work then I will cross that bridge when I get to it.

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I'm working on my prerequisites right now for nursing school; however, i'm also on a waiting list to enter a respiratory therapy program. I think it's great to have a back up plan; you always need to have a back up plan in life. Good luck, and i'm sure you'll do great!

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No, if I dont make it in nursing I may have to work at wal-mart the rest of my life.

I cant afford to stay in school for any more classes.

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Specializes in LTC, rehab medicine & therapies.

kuccellini I know exactly how you feel. I'm in a similar boat to you, though I'm done with prereqs and now have the pleasure of retaking some that are "too old". Color me excited.

Plan A is to get a nursing degree. I don't care what type, just one that will allow me to be a nurse. I was picky about wanting a BSN immediately but I'm to the point where I don't care. :) I want my Masters in Nursing down the road anyway and with a BS already, I really only need the Associates degree...

Plan B is to become a PA.

Plan C is to give up and blow glass for a living. :)

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