I work as a firefighter but seriously considering nursing

Matthew RN, MSN · Apr 9, 2019

I would first note, that you don't have to do an accelerated program.

In my area all firefighters are EMTs or paramedics. I see them do just fine in nursing. We also have former police officers do just fine. The only ones who struggle are the ones who believe they already know everything.

Nursing doesn't usually have issues with macho attitudes. ?

Madigan · Apr 10, 2019

What I meant by accelerated is I already have a science degree, so would go for my BSN in two years (ideally).

How do cops, emts, paramedics etc fit into nursing? What has been your experience?

Matthew RN, MSN · Apr 10, 2019

Nursing school is ultra competitive, so I would apply to multiple programs if you are serious.

Cops, EMTs, paramedics and So on fit in just fine, the experience is usually helpful.

Men make up less than 10% if nurses so sometimes it’s a shock to be one of the few or even the only man in a class.

Upon graduation even a macho personality can fit into nursing the ICU or ED both have higher percentages of males.

beekee · Apr 10, 2019

Don’t think you can’t do an ADN. I did, then I got my BSN online while I was working. Not all nurses are women dressed in capes wiping the brow of the downtrodden. There are over 3 million nurses. I guarantee you whatever your background, you have a place in nursing, if you want it.

SteelGrey · Apr 10, 2019

I'm not a dude but I was an EMT with a previous bachelors I chose a community college ADN program. Much more affordable! It sucks to go back but if you can cut back or manipulate your scheudle its do-able , and its worth it in the end.

Nursing is incredibly broad-there is something for everyone in every sub specialty.

ritchiesky702 · Apr 11, 2019

If you are serious about becoming a nurse, I'd say go for it. I was in a similar situation 2 years ago (not a fire fighter) when I decided to make a career change and go back to school for nursing.

One of biggest concerns when I was considering nursing, like you stated, was loosing my current job that pays well. I have a wife and baby girl who depend on me and quitting work was just not an option. I would recommend looking for a part-time nursing program that will allow you to go to school and maintain your current job. I was/am fortunate enough to be able to keep my full-time job and attend nursing school part-time.

As far as knowing how'd you do in the field, only one way to find out. However, I have noticed that my classmates who have other work/ life experience tend to do better than our classmates who are fresh out of high school.

Nursing is an awesome career field with tons of options and I hope you are able to make the change if that's what you're set on doing.

Best of luck!

BSNbound21, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2019

My school is very competitive to get into b/c it's a state university and therefore waaaaay cheaper than private colleges & Chamberlain- type programs. Like, a quarter of the cost cheaper. 10% of applicants get accepted. However, they hold a certain amount of spots open for men, which leads me to believe that men get preferential treatment in that the competition pool is a whole lot smaller. I would guess that 50% of men who apply get accepted. I cannot know for sure though. Accelerated programs are almost always overpriced. You should apply to traditional programs at community colleges or universities if you're concerned about money. You will have to take prereqs, so don't quit your day job just yet.

turtlesRcool · Apr 12, 2019

If you have a bachelor's degree, an accelerated BSN might be a good fit for you, but look at the individual programs and weigh the pros and cons.

Have you looked into the ABSN programs in your area? Mine was only 12 months long, but to make that happen, it meant we had much longer clinical days than traditional nursing programs.

My first advice would be to figure out what programs are near you. Look into their cost, length, and prerequisites. Even if you have a prior BA/BS, you probably still have some prerequisite courses you'll need to take, either because you didn't take them the first time (like A&P) or because there may be a time limit on them (chemistry may have 'expired') depending on how long ago you graduated.

Next look into community colleges to get the prerequisites done. You can often do one or two classes at a time while working full time at your regular job. If you do these in your spare time, you will minimize your debt because you won't have to reduce your work hours until you're in the thick of your nursing program (which may only be a year).

And while you're looking at those community colleges, take a look at their nursing programs. An ADN can be a fantastic bargain, and get you your RN with very little debt, even if it takes you longer to bridge to your BSN. Don't discount this option just because you have a BS/BA already.

I applied to both a state ABSN and a community college ADN program. If I hadn't gotten into the ABSN, I would have gone the CC route. No way would I pay for one of the private university ABSN programs that cost at least twice what my state university charged for the ABSN I received.

If this is what you want, you can totally do this!

Madigan · Apr 12, 2019

Thanks for all the tips. Yeah my college chemistry has expired - Ironic given I taught highschool chem a while.

ICUNurseWoooHooo · Apr 12, 2019

I suggest doing a 2 year program at a community college. I did that and it has worked out fabulous for me. You can work while doing your online RN to BSN which is usually easy depending on the program. I get the same jobs as nurses from major universities and I have much less in student loans. Hospitals help you pay back your student loans, but only so much. Good luck!

Madigan · Apr 13, 2019

If I do the ADN program would my previous college count for anything?