Help! Do I go into nursing?

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Hello everybody,

I really could use some advice and insight!

So, I am 22 and I just graduated from drama school. My whole life, I thought I wanted to be an actor. However, now that I am out here in LA trying to "make it", I realize that it doesn't fulfill me. I have been seriously contemplating going back to school to try and become a nurse. I would have to do about a year's worth of science classes at a CC, and then I would like to try and get accepted into an accelerated BSN program like Mount Saint Mary.

I was really gung ho and excited about my new plan until I started reading all of the posts on this website about how difficult it was to get a job and how awful your first year is.

I want to go into nursing because I want to be able to do something that is meaningful, make a stable income, and have flexible hours so that I could still do some theatre or go on auditions.

Do you think nursing would be a good path for me?

I would have to work full time while going to school, so it would be a rough couple of years.

As a new grad in LA, what kind of hours are you working? How much flexibility do you have? If I needed to switch a shift to go to a wedding or an audition would that be possible? How often do they let you switch your schedule? Is is really that difficult to get jobs and is the first year really that terrible?

Please help!

Any advice would be welcome!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You may work full time while getting your pre-reqs, but once accepted into an Accellerated program you can't work full time.

Take the posts with a grain of salt because we're venting. I think there are plenty of jobs in California.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Maternity.

i agree with the above poster. also, i sense from your post that a part of you still wants to pursue acting, and you want to use nursing as a backup. nursing school is difficult. a lot of us get through it by pure motivation to become something we are really passionate about. in other words, you can do it if you really want too.:up:

goodluck!!!

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IMHO I wouldn't go through Nursing school hoping to become a nurse and continue to pursue acting gigs on the side. As a first year nursing student I can tell you that it requires a lot of hardwork and dedication, and this is just the beginning. It can also be expensive depending on the route that you choose. It sounds like your heart is in acting. If your heart is in becoming a nurse, become a nurse, if it's becoming a dr. be a doctor, lawyer, etc, but I wouldn't do nursing if it's a temp way to make money.

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Hello everybody,

I really could use some advice and insight!

So, I am 22 and I just graduated from drama school. My whole life, I thought I wanted to be an actor. However, now that I am out here in LA trying to "make it", I realize that it doesn't fulfill me. I have been seriously contemplating going back to school to try and become a nurse. I would have to do about a year's worth of science classes at a CC, and then I would like to try and get accepted into an accelerated BSN program like Mount Saint Mary.

I was really gung ho and excited about my new plan until I started reading all of the posts on this website about how difficult it was to get a job and how awful your first year is.

I want to go into nursing because I want to be able to do something that is meaningful, make a stable income, and have flexible hours so that I could still do some theatre or go on auditions.

Do you think nursing would be a good path for me?

I would have to work full time while going to school, so it would be a rough couple of years.

As a new grad in LA, what kind of hours are you working? How much flexibility do you have? If I needed to switch a shift to go to a wedding or an audition would that be possible? How often do they let you switch your schedule? Is is really that difficult to get jobs and is the first year really that terrible?

Please help!

Any advice would be welcome!

I understand your predicament, being a second courser myself. People get into nursing for lots of different reasons but if you feel you do have what it takes to be a good nurse, then you should really look into it. People have learned to be good at and love what they do even if that's not what they set out to be in the first place

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There is nothing wrong with going into nursing. Jobs are out there and the demand for more nurses grows all the time witrh no end in sight. There are so many areas to work in nursing I doubt if any of us could name them all. There is some things you need to know before pursing nursing though. You may be able to work while you are doing your pre courses but once in the actual nursing course and clinicals you will live and breathe nursing. When I went through many years ago I did work some on the weekends but it was pretty hard. Nursing school is hard and requires a lot from you. Pretty much any nurse can tell you that.

Nursing is not for everyone, it is for many a calling and does require dedication. I started as a Nursing assistant, then a LPN and then A RN. By taking these steps it allowed me to find out step by step if this is what I realy wanted to do.

I agree with the other post, many of us, me included vent on this site. We are talking to each other and we all share in how we feel both good or bad. Take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck to you and if you feel nursing is for you go for it.

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