Is nursing your second career?

Nurses Career Support

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I've read several threads about people with degrees and established careers in another field completing their pre-reqs and applying for nursing schools. Most writers on these threads seem so excited about their career change and anticipate that they will finally achieve their dream job. I am also planning a career transition to nursing and am hoping to be accepted for Fall 2011.

I'm would like to hear from those of you that already completed the transition to nursing as a second career. How old were you when you changed professions and how long have you been practicing as a nurse? Has it been all that you expected?:rolleyes:

Specializes in Psych, Geriatrics.

Here in Georgia, if you have to have insurance (thus excluding agency, per diem, PRN/pool, or higher-rates-of-pay type deals), beginning teaching and beginning RN for the rural state hospitals are similar. And HH is like that, too, even with experience. Actually, the teacher & RN are about the same with increased time/experience too. And getting a regular masters (not an NP CNS or CRNA) is about the same level also--if you work for the state (and that MSN even gets you promoted--not a guarantee). Private, urban hospitals or no -insurance situations may be from slightly to much higher on the nurse pay than teachers. This is for RN, not LPN, who (someone told me this and I believe it) start at $10 at some of the state spots. The CNA in the city make more than that.

And this is for 36-40 hours (fulltime), not part-time or overtime.

Greenleaf, can you teach nursing in high school or vocational (LPN) school programs? (health occ or whatever)? That would give you the best of both worlds, and it often seems to be in demand.

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.

Rocket Scientist? Awesome! I'm a giant nerd and love all that stuff. I'm going for nursing because I'd like to get involved in Aerospace Medicine.

Hello!

I am in my 30's and studied my first degree in systems engineering (computer/electrical). I absolutely hated engineering school but didn't know what else to do at the time, and since I was on full scholarship, I thought it was the safest to just finish my degree. Local companies were offering new grads as much as $57,000 to start plus bonuses, and if one went to Silicon Valley, it was even more lucrative.

However, I didn't do that - I ventured into the financial services industry instead and after I saved up enough money I went back to school for nursing. I absolutely love it and am graduating very soon (RN). As much as the job market is bleak right now, I believe that with enough perseverance and good self-marketing and networking skills, I can land my first job within one year (and, also hopefully, no more market crashes!). There are some very amazing people and patients in health care - that is what keeps me interested, and keeps the spark in my eyes!

Best of luck to all the career-changers.

Thanks for posting this question. Me too, I want to be a nurse when I grow up!!! I am getting ready to start a traditional BSN program after 25 years as a techincal support manager for AT&T. The job went to Texas and I stayed here. I may be older than some of my professors but I am going for the ride. Good to hear others who have set the bar, YOU GUYS are GREAT!!!

Since starting this post I received acceptance into a BSN program and have reserved my seat. :) Thank you so much for all the comments. I hope I feel as glad for this decision to expand my skills as many of you do, who have lived through nursing school as a second career. Right now, though, I am overwhelmed at the idea of learning lab values, medications, and tons of procedures. :eek:

I'm a PhD chemist, about 10 years in drug discovery. I'll likley start taking coreqs this summer for a community college ADN program. With the waist list it'll probably take ~5 years before I'm actually an RN, but I guess I've got time. After that it'll be online BSN and with a little luck I'll get laid off from my current job which pays way to much for me to just up and quit :D Which is both a blessing and a curse. The couple of coworkers I've told my plan to think I'm crazy as in 'what's wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?'. One thinks becoming a nurse means 'I've given up', and at very least I should just go to med school. The other thinks nurses just get yelled at and treated like **** and can't understand why I'd want that. Kinda funny peoples responses. But really, are we all just gonna do the same thing for the next 30 years till we retire? At very least I've got permission from my wife to take the classes, albeit it she's hardly overjoyed at the idea. Its amazing want an uphill battle it is to break out of the rut the world sticks us in. The path of least resistance just wants to sucks you in.

Thank you, Nicubee, for asking this question, and thank you to everyone who answered! I too am a second-career-nurse-to-be (accepted into BScN for September 2011), and was so interested to read the replies.

It is invaluable to me to read 'success stories' of people transitioning to nursing as a second career, and loving what they now do. It makes me feel so good to read about other people who have gone through this change and are now living their new career reality.

How I wish there was a 'nursing as a second career' area on this site -- I'd be there everyday I think, asking questions and comparing experiences! Lol!

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate your insights, and good luck Nicubee and others who are starting out on this journey. :D

Good luck to you, too, Alpine Hiker. This thread has helped me too, and I hope it helps many others thinking about a transition to nursing. It seems that the majority of those who responded are glad they made the switch. I'll see you at the finish line and hopefully, we'll join the ranks of satisfied career changers!!

Specializes in Travel Nursing.

I graduated with a Sociology degree. My husband and I are looking to try to snowbird and work in our 40s. His job is flexible since he works entirely out of our house. I have working in the financial industry for years and I am so unfulfilled. I am looking for a change. I love helping people but when I was in school, I gravitated towards the social sciences, not math or biology. I love all the tv shows like Mystery Diagnosis and I am the first one to jump in to help in an emergency - I am a 1st responder. I am just scared that I will start school and become squeamish. Is this something that you all faced at some point?

Original BA in Theater Arts--was an out of work actor for 6 years in Hollywood, worked a survival job in Health Insurance to pay the bills. Entered nursing school at 35. Just graduated and starting my new job soon. I was the only one in my class that didn't have a Science background, so that was a challenge---I get to tap into my humanities portion of my brain when I rotate but I love it.

Specializes in Travel Nursing.

Thanks. I'm just starting out so I think it is just nerves - and friends who are trying to talk me out of it aren't helping. I just get so excited thinking about this new venture. I've tried so many jobs in the financial industry and I know I am on the wrong path. Nursing just seems so fulfilling - and flexible.

Great thread. Reading all these experiences is extremely helpful and reduces my anxiety level! I'm experiencing a change in marital status, which is freeing me up to pursue my dream of going into nursing that I've had for a couple of years. :)

I have a BA in Psych and a JD. I practiced law for a short time until I had my second kid, then had a third kid and we moved all over the world (literally!). I've had a business I've operated from home for the past almost 6 years. I am so excited about this transition, albeit extremely anxiety ridden and scared, I will admit! But I feel great about the path I'm heading down. Just now to get through the prereqs I need for either the ABSN or BSN programs I'm going to hopefully be accepted to! :eek:

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