Was your previous career a failed one?

Nursing Students General Students

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I've just completed my prereqs and am about to start an ADN program. But I'm a little scared. I have a BA in Elem Education. After graduating, two years ago, despite having impeccable credentials, such as a 4.0 GPA, (and I was told men were particularly needed) I found myself unemployed in my field. I finally gave up and switched career pursuits.

So, I hear of all these nursing opportunities, just like I heard about teaching (which was true of some secondary positions), but worry that I'm doing this all for nothing, that I'll graduate with lots of debt and no job.

It is also taking a toll on my motivation to continue studying. I mean, all I hear are horror stories about how difficult this is. Can't imagine going through this for nothing.

I confess that I entered nursing because of it's legendary job security and decent income, though have now, fortunately, discovered an intense passion for it.

I'm 27 years old and feel that I've yet to get anywhere in my career pursuits. I feel like I'm starting adulthood over again by going back to school. Has anyone else here had any feelings/experiences like this?

Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

Firstly, WELCOME to allnurses!

Secondly, BEST WISHES in your chosen career of nursing!

Many people experience changes in jobs throughout their lifetime. For many and varied reasons people decide to change, need to change, have no choice BUT to change. Life is, afterall, about CHANGE. It never remains the same. It's ever evolving.

Don't despair that you have your education degree and are not using it at this time. Nothing is ever really lost. I understand your concerns about the study debt, that's real and needs consideration for sure.

Try and visualise the goal you have set yourself, and the things which will accompany reaching that goal. A qualification which will guarantee you employment. Potential to take further study and therefore further your career and prospects. A career in which you can travel and work internationally. An employment field which will ALWAYS need people!! ALWAYS!

At 27 you are still YOUNG! Young enough to commence something new.

Go for it!

GOOD LUCK!

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Hi and welcome! I'm sorry about your career path as an elementary educator not going where it's supposed to go. The buzz is that there is a huge demand for teachers. I'm surprised to hear differently.

As for your worries about will there be a job as a nurse waiting for you after graduation, I can only tell you my experiences. In our final semester, all of us in my clinical group were wined and dined by nursing administration at the hospital where we were doing our last clinical. Now in my transition preceptorship, I have been offered a job in that unit. I'm actually turning down that offer because I accepted an offer in another state. So yeah, I'd say there are jobs. There is a caveat though. There are some areas of the country where it is still hard to find a job and there are a relative few hospitals that take only BSN grads. In general though, it's a wide open door.

Good luck!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

There are predictions for RN positions all over the country. There may be spots of lack of jobs, but for the most part there will be jobs out there.

Good luck.

Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

If it makes you feel any better, I have two friends who moved across the country to teach because they couldn't find jobs in the Midwest. I think the job market for elementary teachers is better in some areas of the country than others.

There are nursing jobs everywhere, but some states have more of a shortage than others. From what I have been told it's not a matter of being offered a job, just how many offers you will receive before you graduate :) Good luck to you in your second career!

If it makes you feel any better, I have two friends who moved across the country to teach because they couldn't find jobs in the Midwest. I think the job market for elementary teachers is better in some areas of the country than others.

There are nursing jobs everywhere, but some states have more of a shortage than others. From what I have been told it's not a matter of being offered a job, just how many offers you will receive before you graduate :) Good luck to you in your second career!

Where are you in Midwest?

In response to your question- No, my previous career was a glowing success. I was even given the "Outstanding New Professional of the year" in the South East Region...right before I quit. I worked as a Museum Curator, which is a tight tight job market. I much prefer having the freedom to choose where I want to live

Yes, going back to school did sort of feel like starting adulthood again, especially after carrying around a briefcase, etc and then going back to jeans and backpacks...

still worth every minute. I like my job, as hard as it can be.

36_1_55.gif hi, i had changed careers at 40. went from being a hairdressing/cosmetology/massage therapy instructor to nursing. change happend because i guess nursing was what really was in the blood. went through a few different facilities, working in geriatrics but overall i loved every minute. scarey to start new things when you are a bit older but i think if it is what you are meant to do you will not regret it.

plus, there are many job openings. you just have to be willing to try different areas.

good luck!

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I went from Cosmetologist, to stay at home mom, to nursing student. I use my cosmetology daily (on my husband & our 3 girls) and with the patients at clinicals, so no it wasn't a "failed" one for me. I had to get out because of my severe allergies. (perms, colors & artificial nails)

So far I've counted 9 people that I know that have switched from cosmetology to nursing :)

My current career (soon will be previous) is successful. I started from scrath, I'm doing a wonderful job with a nice company. I passed all professional license exams on first shot with all self-study (no training classes, even the tutorial books I used were old-versioned and just $5 each from ebay), and these are hard exams. I am very satisfied with what I've achieved so far. I switch career because I feel nursing is the career I like.

I'm 25 - graduated over two years ago from University of Michigan with a 4.0 GPA and great internship. Decided after two years of drifiting that I cannot and will not be a desk jockey, that I need a job that is stressful, on my feet and helping people. Like you, I fell in love with nursing unexpectedly, but I'm glad I did. I'm doing pre-reqs right now for an accelerated BSN program and crossing my fingers to get in. I do feel like I am starting all over, and that has been extremely frustrating and difficult for me. It seems that all my frriends are starting careers and getting married - and here I am back at a community college! Just keep your end goal in sight and go for it. Good luck!

Geez, I guess it IS just me. That makes me feel better.

True, I do live in the armpit of the country (Kansas City). Kansas is projected to have a surplus of nurses for as far as anyone can guess. Most of my teacing peers were unemployed too.

Maybe I should restate my question. Has anyone who graduated during the Bush Administration worked crappy jobs since (and no, I have no political affiliation)? I graduated into a recession!! And it's like, if you start out with crappy jobs out of college, you're stuck.

As far as the nursing job market, I'm still not convinced. I sent resumes to many hospitals for Patient Care Technician position and haven't as much as received a phone call. You'd think if they were so anxious about recruiting nurses, they might at least consider hiring a nursing student!

So the proof is in the pudding...and the pudding doesn't taste so good. This is all confirming my fears. I mean, I REALLY want to be a nurse, but if I fail to find a job afterwards, I'm facing bankruptcy. Seriously considering dropping out and just settling into poverty.

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