Fashion Design to Nursing: Advice on How to Break into the Nursing and Healthcare Industry

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 31, 2015

Hi there - one of my progeny is gainfully employed in (theater) constume design... so I find your situation very intriguing. It's certainly not very common.

First of all, please make sure that an ASN is going to be sufficient to even get a job in your area. It may be pretty much BSN-only. If that's the case, your effort, time and money will be completely wasted. I am assuming that you mean clerical jobs when you refer to "admin", right? If so, you may want to invest in a quick online Medical Terminology course because it's usually a requirement for jobs like Unit Secretary, Admission Clerk and such. There aren't really any other 'certifications' that would help unless you want to go full-bore and get a CNA.

Best of luck in your educational journey. I'm picturing you with the most attractive and well-fitting scrubs in your class!

supraargo · Aug 31, 2015

I'd recommend trying a CNA program. It seems to help some stand out in a competitive application process. It also helps you get your feet wet in dealing with patients and the eventuality of having to touch people (although you may get some of that in apparel).

I second what the previous poster said. I live in Denver and I already know that whenever I go to nursing school I can only go for a BSN because most hospitals won't hire those with ADNs.

Good luck

Valcorie34, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 1, 2015

Honestly, I would become a CNA. A great deal of nursing programs give extra points to applicants who have been CNAs. (certified nursing assistant) Plus it give you a very hands on look at nursing. Even if you took the class and received the certification it would help with many jobs and nursing applications.

drea_futureRN · Sep 3, 2015

Hi HouTx,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and reply! It is definitely appreciated! :) Costume design sounds very creative and fun! I know very few people who specialized in costume design but I'm sure your daughter or son love what they do!

For me, I had a love for science and math in high school but also loved art, design and fashion and felt so passionate about it.....then :unsure: I went with my passion and worked hard to get into college (I graduated from Parsons School of Design in NYC in '08) and have put time into working my way up a bit in this industry. I am now gainfully employed but unfortunately my passion for this industry has really run dry. After sophomore year in college, I was pretty burnt out from pulling so many all-nighters that I took a year off and actually thought about switching majors then (fashion to nursing) but decided to stuck with fashion. I experienced a lay-off from my first design job after slaving away for more than 2 years and while unemployed, the idea of going back to school for nursing came up again - yet I still went back to a job in the apparel industry. I turned 30 this year and told myself, I'm either going to make this change happen or letting go of this idea. I guess I feared having to "start over" or that I didn't have what it takes to become a nurse :eek:

I was and still am a bit hesitant about getting my ADN - I have definitely heard things that a ADN is not enough to be hired. As I continue to research nursing job postings, what I see to find is that even though a BSN is always the preference, an ADN may be acceptable "as long as you have plans for enrollment in a BSN program". I racked up a nice chunk of student loan debt from design school and getting my ADN seems like the most affordable way, while maintaining some type of full-time job.

As of now, I have been paying for my pre-reqs out of pocket and saving for nursing school while paying down my current student loan debt. I had original plans of applying to an accelerated BSN program but many require you to take the time off from a job and focus on school which I financially can't do and I'm worried I would struggle rushing to learn all the material. I want to be ready to apply by Fall '16, I am just hoping the education requirement remains somewhat the same in 2018 if and when I graduate from an ADN program. The goal is to jump into BSN program as soon as possible after receiving my ADN and passing the NCLEX.

I also took time to look at more clerical jobs from various hospitals (yes, as in "admin" I meant "clerical") and you were definitely right on the money with Medical Terminology Many clerical job postings from what I'm seeing require Medical Terminology knowledge (strongly preferred) or a Medical Terminology certificate is required. I found an online class that is 6 weeks long and very affordable so I will definitely be adding that my class schedule. Thanks for the heads up on that!

I'm kinda dreading re-writing my resume (my resume currently caters to design jobs) but I know once I start the process of editing, it will slowly come together. I'm hoping that my enrollment in community college with a pending acceptance to a nursing program and completing both the BSL certification class and now the medical terminology certificate will help my resume stand out somewhat, though I have also heard that hospital hiring can definitely be a lengthy process. While a clerical job may not be the total "hands on" exposure to patient care, I'm really hoping that that's the way I can break into a hospital job. The tuition reimbursement is also an added bonus which could possible help to speed up finishing the rest of my pre-reqs. Fingers crossed! I will be trying to apply to as many hospitals as I can!

P.S. Your comment on the best fitting scrubs was cute! I hope I make it to that first day on the job, when I can put on a pair of well fitting scrubs and wear that RN badge proudly

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2015

I struggled with this as well. I kept my current job in high-end retail and also received a promotion while going through my first two years of nursing school. Where I am, the 1st year of nursing school qualifies students to work in a CNA position without being certified. I had to wait it out to get enough experience to land that first hospital job (and, now, with a year left to go, I have to make the most of it!). My job also translated well as far as management and delegation skills go but since I am not at that licensed level I had to show more of the hard work, time management, communication and quick-on-my-feet kind of skills I got from working retail lo these past 14 years

I agree with others who have mentioned to ensure the AS is enough to get a job where you are. The reason why is that these programs run at a MUCH faster pace than a BSN and before you know it, it's time for graduation and you didn't have the time to get a nursing aide job because you stayed at your FT job. If you can get into a BSN, do that. You can probably still manage your schedule at your FT job while you rack up the necessary experience and take your time networking (because I had to network to get my job, too, it wasn't just the 1st year of school that got me there) and volunteering and doing all you can while you can to make yourself a viable candidate upon graduation.

Good luck!!

drea_futureRN · Sep 3, 2015

Hi Supraargo! Thanks for taking the time to read and reply on my posting!

Up until now, I really hadn't thought about a CNA program. From researching programs, yes they definitely sound worthwhile to get that "hands on" exposure but wouldn't I be learning the same or similar things in clinicals? Though I see what you mean...going through a CNA program would definitely help with clinicals and yes, give me some edge when applying.

I am hesitant about going for my ADN but I feel thats what I can afford without adding more student loan debt to my name. I have come across job listings which state that "a BSN is preferred or plans for enrollment in a program leading to the same." Is having your RN and ADN really not enough?