Hi,I just joined this site today because I found some of the posts here from searching things on Google. I have worked for the last 7 years in software development. I've never been to college, but I was making pretty decent money. I wasn't happy though. I have been wanting to find a career that would enable me to help people in a very real way. After a lot of research and soul searching I decided that I definetly want to be a nurse.
At 32, I just enrolled in my local community college that has a two year RN associates program. This school requires that I pass four prerequisite classes with a C average or better before acceptance into the clinical portion of the program.
I have so many questions about some many things and I'm glad that there is a site like this to turn to for information from nurses and other students. I initially came here to find inspirational threads that will help feed the fire to this passion and excitement that I have for nursing. However, I've been readings some threads that have me very nervous. A lot of things about how recent grads can't find work. People waiting a long time after their prerequisites to get into their clinical programs, hostility and futility in the workplace etc.
I understand that thoughts things do exist, but right now I really need some positive influence while I'm walking away from a lucrative career to struggle financially through juggling working and going to nursing school and my home life to change my life to be able to devote myself to care for others. Please tell me that I am not setting myself up for financial ruin and academic letdown.Why are you happy to be a nurse?
I would encourage you to go forward w/your plans as well. I think you have a lot to offer nursing, and vice versa. As another poster stated--get A's if possible. These science classes are the foundation for everything else, so make it the best you can.
I think, too, w/your background in IT, plus an RN, you will be in a uniquely marketable position. Brian, the guy that started this site, had an IT background, then went into nursing, then combined the 2.
There will be days you'll wonder what the heck were you thinking, but overall, nursing is a very good thing. Buy a LOT of highlighters and a lot of coffee!
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
yes, you will read a ton of things that will scare you and keep you up at night. you might even be like me, and some of it will make you lose an appetite, a previous good mood, or pop the bubble you had when you signed-in. most of their posts (though venting at the time), are very much true about the profession of nursing, and the path to get there.
it has to be one of the most difficult journeys man can choose to take in life. it doesn't end with the degree, and it doesn't end with letter that you passed boards. but, if your hearts really in it, i promise you that every minute of the battle fatigue, stress, fear, even panic sometimes, and the general feeling of drowning-they are all worth it, and the reward is beyond words.
you will have valleys, and there will be awesome mountains. but, we see man come into life, and walk him out, and while we are here, we have the power to change many lives. i think it takes a self starter, self motivator, and strong knowledge of self to be successful in nursing, because you will have to constantly remind yourself of the award waiting on you. that said, even with all the backbiting, you will make powerful connections in nursing school that will carry you through life. it is hard to go through something as complex as that without making some true and dependable friends.
i think now and through to your finish, you are joining a great profession. we are still nurses when we clock out, and when we go home, it changes you to the core. we will teach you how to complain with the best of them also, lol!!
but at the end of the day, remember this, . . .all those negative posts making you nervous, something is keeping them in nursing. and if we didn't love the profession, we wouldn't fight over it, or for it. it is one of the oldest professions in the world. it just might be one of the most difficult, but i am quite sure it is one of the best.
and, even with some memories i would pay good money if they could extract them from my memory, i wouldn't trade anything for my choice at 17 to become a nurse, and the education i received, and am still receiving. you will find a job if you want one, you will reach other goals if you want to reach them. remember, i think nursing proved to us and the world that their is truly no recession proof job except the president of the united states, but even that's only for four years!:jester:great luck!!!!!!
beautifully said!
nursing in the single most challenging thing you will do. it is very unique as a profession. it will be the hardest, heart wrenching, frustrating, rewarding, breathtaking challenge you could ever imagine.
nursing is in a bubble/suprlpus right now and many new grads are having diffculty finding work. how long will it last? who's to say..... but nursing should not be considered just for the security and pay.
the recession has brought a temporary reprieve to the shortage. nurses who were close to retirement have seen their 401(k) portfolios plummet and their potential retirement income decline. they are postponing retirement a few more years until the economy--and their portfolios--pick up.
many nurses have seen their spouses and partners lose their jobs and have increased their hours to make ends meet for their families. some who left the profession to care for children or for other reasons have rejoined the workforce for similar reasons.
Ive only been a nurse for about 6 months. There are days I am stressed, there are days I want to throw in the towel. Then something is said, totally out of left field, so unbeliveable that it takes a moment to compose myself, and I remember why I chose this profession.
Or when I over hear a patient tell new one, Oh you will like her, shes the cool nurse. Or when I got compared to the Tim Tebow trade when I wasnt the patient's nurse for the night ( apparently he likes Tebow better then Manning). Sometimes they are said to me, but my favorite ones are one I hear them saying things about me behind my back, because I know they mean it.
I wouldn't worry that much until you actually get in. Most comm. college programs require a 4.0 (although they say they take a min. of a C, no one would ever get in with that kind of grade).
If you do get in and actually finish, that's 2-3 years away - economy should be better by then.
As we (I am almost at the end of a RN program now) are being told, just don't be picky on where you work, the shift or the hours. Be open to part-time or on call work, be ready to move out of state for a job, be ready to take a nursing home job and be ready to work the night shift.
If you are open, and also willing to get a BSN later, you should be fine. Any new career has risks involved. There is just no 100% guaranty of a job after any degree. But I would be very skeptical of any group of people all being overly positive and Mary Poppins like about any degree and job potential - that just doesn't exist in this economy, so just have a strategy in place for yourself and after doing your research, judge for yourself. Good luck.
please be smart enough to get as. we really need the best, smartest, best-educated people we can get in this profession. isn't that who you'd want to have taking care of and teaching you?
Hi,I just joined this site today because I found some of the posts here from searching things on Google. I have worked for the last 7 years in software development. I've never been to college, but I was making pretty decent money. I wasn't happy though. I have been wanting to find a career that would enable me to help people in a very real way. After a lot of research and soul searching I decided that I definetly want to be a nurse.
At 32, I just enrolled in my local community college that has a two year RN associates program. This school requires that I pass four prerequisite classes with a C average or better before acceptance into the clinical portion of the program.
I have so many questions about some many things and I'm glad that there is a site like this to turn to for information from nurses and other students. I initially came here to find inspirational threads that will help feed the fire to this passion and excitement that I have for nursing. However, I've been readings some threads that have me very nervous. A lot of things about how recent grads can't find work. People waiting a long time after their prerequisites to get into their clinical programs, hostility and futility in the workplace etc.
I understand that thoughts things do exist, but right now I really need some positive influence while I'm walking away from a lucrative career to struggle financially through juggling working and going to nursing school and my home life to change my life to be able to devote myself to care for others. Please tell me that I am not setting myself up for financial ruin and academic letdown.Why are you happy to be a nurse?
Evening, SushiJoe and welcome to the madhouse!
As far as the posts that make you nervous - keep in mind that they are oftentimes written by people that are experiencing unusual or undue stress, and aren't necessarily representative of the entire industry. Is it tough to find work? Yup - but, let me share with you my job search.
I live in California, in one of the financially hardest-hit areas of the entire state (San Bernardino/Riverside). Lost my job in June of 2009 (Sr. Programmer/Analyst - 23 years in the industry) & spent a little over 2 1/2 years looking (unsuccessfully) for work. IT, flipping burgers, mowing lawns - anything. No soap. Then, took an NAT (Nurse Assistant Training) class through the Red Cross. Pricey, and I've already vented about my experiences in the class - but here's the kicker. Finished the class on January 26th - passed state certification exams the next day - got a job lead through the Red Cross 4 days later. Spoke with the folks at the facility, but had a scheduling conflict that couldn't be resolved, so couldn't start work for them. Spent 5 more weeks looking for work - then, got a call for an interview at a facility I'd applied at previously on March 9th; March 19th I received a call inviting me to attend an orientation session on the 22nd & am now employed there effective 3/22/2012.
All told - took me about 6 weeks to find work, at 49 years of age, in a decidedly challenging job market. Compare that to when I started looking for work in the IT field back in the late 80's (during the S&L debacle) - to get my first job as a computer operator (with my BS degree in CS in my hot little hand) took almost 6 months, with an average job search time for subsequent positions of about 2 1/2 months each. So...it can be done, but you may have to be a bit creative on your job search, especially if you're shooting for an LPN/RN position, since those aren't entry-level and are more competitive.
My advice would be to look at a CNA position first (assuming that won't jeopardize whatever financial arrangements you have going at present), get your foot in the door and see first-hand what this profession is all about. And, +1 on doing your darndest to get & maintain the highest GPA you can - it's not all about the GPA, but having a 4.0 certainly doesn't hurt, especially if you're trying to to get into a top-flight LPN/RN program.
Been at it 31 years or so, same as many of the other "crusty old bats", a title and club we have given to ourselves and wear proudly
Times when I get really mad, totally PO'd at some BS (and I don't mean my BSN) that management has pulled this time. Frustration when you end up with too many patients and not enough time, especially if someone needs a bit of time and TLC, and you just can't stop long enough to give more than a couple of minutes worth.
But I've had quite a few patients and families sincerely thank me for making a rough time easier. The feeling of satisfaction when you did keep everything moving, hit the deadlines of door to cath lab or suspicious sepsis to antibiotics, while keeping the other guy's pain under control and getting the contrast into a nauseated patient in time for the CT to catch that rotten appendix and get to the OR in time. When you come back the next night, and the day person you gave your pts to that morning tells you "your patients were in pristine condition this morning, thanks".
When a doc says, "I'm really glad YOU are on tonight".
I've made a good living for myself and my kids as a nurse. Sometimes we have to choose what to do, can't pay for anything and everything but then, few folks can. Gotten to travel as a nurse, internationally. Bought a house (well dh's life insurance had a lot to do with that ), but am close to paying it off with my wages. I have enough time off for myself (love those 12s) and my family, and have the option of accepting overtime or not.
I left a position in ecommerce & search engine optimization to go to nursing school - and the year after I left, the company I was with made $1M in sales... and I would have gotten a nice cut of that had I stayed. But - that's OK - I'm very happy as a nurse, and think my tech background (and non-medical background) gives me a great advantage with the technology that's used every day in nursing. After less than 5 years, I'm earning more than I did in the tech field, too (though had better hours then, I have a better sense of life now)... Best of luck to you!
I just finished an Accelerated BSN program where several of the studients walked away from high dollar corporate jobs for nursing. After 4 months of work in their dream jobs they have never been happier. One of the ladies literally looks years younger- simply because she is happy and fufilled. At the end of your life you won't care how much money you have in your bank account you will only care that you followed your dream and made a difference in the lives of so many people! Go for it!
Hi SushiJoe :) Welcome to the group. We're glad to have you. You'll find the site very informative and entertaining, to say the least. Check out the student forums, and good luck in your pursuits!
), but am close to paying it off with my wages. I have enough time off for myself (love those 12s) and my family, and have the option of accepting overtime or not.
prmenrs, RN
4,565 Posts
I would encourage you to go forward w/your plans as well. I think you have a lot to offer nursing, and vice versa. As another poster stated--get A's if possible. These science classes are the foundation for everything else, so make it the best you can.
I think, too, w/your background in IT, plus an RN, you will be in a uniquely marketable position. Brian, the guy that started this site, had an IT background, then went into nursing, then combined the 2.
There will be days you'll wonder what the heck were you thinking, but overall, nursing is a very good thing. Buy a LOT of highlighters and a lot of coffee!
Best wishes!