Is nursing your second career?

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 10, 2011

No one has responded yet? My 2nd career is nursing. I was an electrical engineer for 3 years (plus school) before I switched. I had been sooo bored, so sick of working 6 days 50 weeks per year for flat pay, so sick of 9-5 and all that mess...wasn't sure what to do about it, when I got laid off at the very start of the tech bust. So I used that opportunity to go back to school, and graduated (again) in 2006. It kind of took a while to find my niche, which is psych, but I am so glad I changed, even on my worst days.

Now I'm going back to school for psych NP.

sekishin · Mar 10, 2011

Lost count . . . electrical engineer (also), electrician, car sales (new and used) (twice - sandwiching another engineering position between selling cars), plumbing supply warehouse, electrician (again), computers (desktop support, network admin, network analyst, and back to desktop support), and once I get through NS, nurse . . . who knows after that . . . I think I have ruled out astronaut and rocket scientist (although, technically, that could be a single career) . . .

nicubee · Mar 10, 2011

Thanks to both of you for your input! RNvampire: Was it hard to give up the EE pay? My brother-in-law finished his BSEE, then went immediately back for a BSN and MSN (nurse anesthetist). He loves his job now, as it involves a combination of equipment and care-giving, which he likes.

I hope lots of other 2nd career nurses post here to weigh in. How does the reality of work as a nurse compare to your previous career and your expectations of nursing?

Personally, I am really struggling with the decision/motivation to go back to school for nursing. I know I will love the work, since I am an OT in the NICU now and am looking to blend that and nursing in the NICU. But I already have 6 years of college, so the idea of going back for 2 more is not that appealing. Also, the labs and meds worry me, because they seem so complex. Is this true? I am a good student, with A's in 2 pathology courses, kinesiology, neuroanatomy, both A&Ps... but I still worry about learning about labs and meds. Also, I have read on these threads about people failing because of missing one item on required dosage calc tests and such. It is all a little daunting. :uhoh3:

Finally (and off-topic), I want to compliment all the writers on the allnurses threads for their professionalism. I was reading a thread on a therapist site, and people were so rude and callous towards one another. Although I see cliques and catty behavior from nurses in my hospital at times, that comes from a few making a bad impression for the masses. For the most part, I see so many devoted people working hard to provide great care and advocating for their patients... Kudos! :yeah:

Trauma Columnist · Mar 10, 2011

I had done several things before I became anLPN at age 34: military broadcaster, civilian broadcaster, clerical jobs.

I've been a nurse almost 19 yrs now. Did LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN an two post-MSN certificates.

Guest717236 · Mar 11, 2011

Some people find a career and stay with it throughout their work history.

Many of us have other careers prior to nursing- nurses aide ,bank teller, store manager , computer science department staff (at a manufacturing firm).

All of the above to finance my first degree in business management and

2 years of pre nursing courses.

At 23 years old, went to Diploma school (getting a dual BS degree in nursing

and business at my college did not work out). Our diploma school was unique in that only 2 students were HS grads, all others had prior BS and MS degrees.

This made for a very interesting learning environment and in addition

we were based at a large teaching hospital.

Spent over 20 years in nursing in various specialties and loved it.

Nicubbe, you can :anpom: do this! Just set your course and dive in!

You already have work experience in a hospital setting, and this is

an advantage. Don't worry about scary nursing school stories (oh, maybe

a few), set your goals and stay focused.

Also, the economy is always a player. The class before us had more job

offers than they could accept. Our class, the hospitals stopped wanting

to train new grads (1983) , sound familiar? But, we all found work...

So if it is in your heart :redbeathe, go for it! and best wishes!!

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 11, 2011

People always say that...but I actually didn't make all that great of money in EE. I graduated (the first time) in 99, and made 48,000 flat salary in Los Angeles. Flat salary stinks and 48 doesn't go very far out there, especially when they taxed me to death. By the time I left I had worked other shifts and gotten up to 52. But that's all you make...no overtime, no straight time overtime, no holiday pay, no nothing...and I would work 6 days a week for months on end.

Now, my salary, if I were full-time, is probably similar, but in an area where the houses are 1/7 the price...plus there's the wonderful thing called overtime. *sigh* Actually I used to have a REALLY high paying nursing job with no benefits, some of my coworkers I know probably made 100 a year as an RN (not mgr) with some occasional overtime and working weekend nights (no benfts). I don't know ANYONE at my old EE company that made 100, even the managers. (Well, maybe the CEO or whatever, but not midlevel managers).

I still don't know any EE that makes 100, except the oil engineers that go to the middle east to do consult work. No thanks!

kygavin · Mar 11, 2011

I was 25 when I started nursing school. Had just graduated with a BA in Anthropology and of course could not find a suitable job to help support myself. Nursing is a good career, so many opportunities and so much flexibility (hours, shifts). Well I guess not a lot of opportunities right now for a lot of unemployed nurses but hopefully that will change in the future...I graduated in 2006 and I had my choice of new grad programs in hospitals along with all my classmates but that has definetly changed.

FLmomof5 · Mar 11, 2011

First degree in Electrical Engineering and I was a Rocket Scientist for about 8.5 yrs. Hated it. I then went into mainframe programming. Got laid off every 2 - 3 yrs which required constant relocations. Didn't matter whether I was an employee or contractor.

Graduated Aug 28th and passed the NCLEX on Feb 7th. Still working as a programmer..but looking in Charleston for a VA job. I just turned 49.

dfs1961 · Mar 11, 2011

1st degree in political science and a masters in criminology. Worked in state government for 8 years, 40 hours a week, M-F for about $42k. Stayed home with my babies for about 8 years. When back to nursing school while I was at home with my children. Currently working on a med/surg/tele floor 24 hours/week making $34k a year. Now I work 2 days a week for almost the same about of money I was making working 5 days a week for the state. I consider myself more of a stay at home mom than a nurse, since I am home with the kids 5 days a week. I love making my own money, I get full benefits, a 401k with 4% matching contribution, and I get $1500 a year towards tuition reimbursement which I take full advantage of - I am 1 year away from graduating with my masters in nursing.

Don't know if I will ever use my masters in nursing, but I think it will come in handy the older I get (I just turned 40) and the more tired I get doing floor nursing. For now, I absolutely 100% love :redbeathe:redbeathe my job, my patients and the staff I work with. I made the best decision I ever could by going back to nursing school. The tears, time and energy was all worth it. Now I have a career that I can do well into my 60's if I so choose, and with my masters I can teach nursing school into my 70s. If I don't like my job, I can find a new one within weeks.

Baubo516, RN · Mar 12, 2011

I just want to post to this thread so I can find it later... I am 37 years old and just starting to take pre-reqs for nursing school. I have had many jobs, but most recently I have been a music teacher. I am in my 7th year at this job. I want to do work that matters, and I want to help people - but I also want to be paid a little bit more for my time! Thus, the change from teaching to nursing. OP - good luck with starting nursing school! I should get my pre-reqs done by the end of December, but then I will be on a waiting list for my local Associates Degree Program. That's OK - I can do other required classes while on the waiting list. Thanks for starting this thread, as I, too, am curious about how the 2nd career nurses feel!

avert · Mar 12, 2011

I had done several things before I became anLPN at age 34: military broadcaster, civilian broadcaster, clerical jobs.
I've been a nurse almost 19 yrs now. Did LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN an two post-MSN certificates.

That is dedication and passion for the profession! :redbeathe