I am considering a career change to nursing

Mezcalero · Feb 28, 2009

Well I would say from the start, if you want a career where someone will actually hire a new graduate, forget about nursing. I got my license in Sept 2008, good grades, some academic awards, success in my last career--nobody wants to interview me, let alone offer a job.

IMO, if you're going to go to school for something with no (or few) career prospects, do something you like. Sorry if this sounds grim, but I'm a little bitter and frustrated right now and think that people should know the real deal the next time some smiling recruiter from the nursing school goes on about the "nursing shortage." :\

RNCEN · Feb 28, 2009

I think the economy is affecting hospitals just as much as any other business. They are not hiring, in part due to tightened budgets and perhaps current employees working more to compensate for a spouse's job loss....so the immediate need for new hires may be low. I would expect that the job market will open up within the next 6-12 months as the economy levels and improves.

I hope anyway.

I'm sorry you are having a difficult time finding employment, I'm sure it is frustrating. It will be a few years until I would be entering the job pool, so I am not as concerned with the current hiring freezes.

cycler · Feb 28, 2009

I am kind of new to this site, and have many many questions myself about finding a new career in Nursing...going back to school for it etc. But, I want to address the Dad who is interested in a career in Nursing. Not because I know ANYTHING about Nursing...but, I do know some things about life.

First of all, you sound very responsible and prudent about how you are going about this. Don't under-estimate those qualities, because, at least my own life has shown to me that they will get you through - when the ups and downs happen, as we both know... always do in the best of circumstances.

Secondly, I would just say...don't worry about who is hiring who right who right now. You have schooling to go through first, anyway. That in itself will be rewarding to you for the time being. I say that because you sound like the type of person who enjoys learning. I think the odds of changing to this new career for you are greatly in your favor because of that, and because in general, if you are pursuing work in something that you enjoy, the career will come...just give it time. I've heard many good nurses say that the money is a perk...but, that's not why they are nurses, and you sound like the kind of person who could be saying the same thing one day.

Thirdly, back to being responsible again...you are responsible. After all, I don't hear you saying that you're going to quit your job after nursing school is over in order to go look for a nursing job. Not at all, you sound smart and you would know too that, "There's many ways to skin a cat... and, if you find, as one of the previous writers wrote...that there are "no jobs" for someone with no experience, then, you might do, as what I'm planning to do...to get some experience along the way as either a volunteer in a hospital for limited hours/week or even get a CNA or LPN first, to get the lay of the land and a paycheck...and some experience.

I graduated from College in 1976. I didn't do much with my degree at the time, except to find some teaching jobs and then some tech sales jobs, met my husband...and eventually had three sons and have been a stay at home Mom for the last 23 years. My husband changed careers several times, allowing me to stay at home...which I have greatly appreciated! He always made sure that we were all OK financially while he made the changes, and though at times things were a bit tight, we pulled through and were both glad for the changes in his career. In the long run, he was happier, and so we all were too. But, I've always been intrigued by the medical field and nursing/nutrition...etc for myself one day. Now, the time is here for me, and, like you, I have many many questions about how to go about it too. But, something about your letter just compelled me to encourage you....I guess, I'm encouraging myself too! I wish you the best...hang in there and I hope that you do go for your dreams too.

RNCEN · Mar 1, 2009

That's for the positive input Cycler.

I spoke at length with my friend yesterday about his experience with his job and training. It was a very productive conversation. I will be taking pre-req's beginning this summer, as it is the earliest I can start. I am going to meet with advisors from a few of the schools I am considering. I'm hoping to avoid some of the pre-req classes since I had them when I was in college. A lot of the Soc/Psych and other basic classes would be repetetive. I hope they see it the same way.

Does anyone else have any input/repsonse to any of my above questions?

What do you like about your job?

What do you dislike?

If you could go back and do it all over again, would you?

What is a typical shift like for you?

Do people entering the nursing field as a second or even third career tend to transition well?

Thanks in advance!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2009

You're questions are pretty heavy, and a bit difficult to answer in a post. To get a feel for our issues perhaps check out the First Year in Nursing forum or the general forum and read the various threads if you haven't already. For example answering in a post "what is a typical shift like for you?" isn't easy. Each day is different, each day has different patients and different challenges.

Nursing can be tough and demanding and is very stressful at times, depending on where you work. Nurse to patient ratios can be high which is the biggest thorn in my side.

Another thorn in my side is that customer satisfaction is becoming more and more of an issue. In fact in the years to come reimbursement from medicare and medicade is going to be based on customer satisfaction surveys. So you have to deal with demanding patients and families knowing if they give you a bad score your facility doesn't get paid well and your job eventually could be jeopardized. Economics is a big issue these days...duh.

However, I get much satisfaction in looking after folks and taking care of all their needs, and helping them get well to the best they are able to get well. I love it when a patient comes to my unit out of ICU severely injured, confused, with a trach, tube feeding, unable to walk, eat or take care of themselves and within a few weeks they walk out. Another thing I like is putting the pieces together, making an assessment that actually saves the patient, or rescues the patient from a bad outcome. We do indeed make a difference.

I enjoy my job and my only regret is that I didn't get into nursing earlier fresh out of high school.

People entering nursing as a 2nd or 3rd career are common and generally transition well. The one's that seem to have difficulty are the guys who are older, whom may have had positions of power, who have a hard time humbling themselves to be the new guy that doesn't know anything and whose charge nurse and preceptor are the same age as their children.