Major Career Change - Construction Management to Nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello All. First off I am 25 years old and have recently graduated in 2007 from LSU with a major in CM (Construction Management) along with a minor in Business. My college path is as follows: started college at a smaller university taking basic courses, and ended up majoring in Nursing, wanting to get out of college ASAP with best job possible. So I get accepted to the program and start my clinical classes. The first semester of clinicals I had a change of heart and decided I wanted to go to LSU to study Design/Architecture, since I had always been somewhat artsy and interested in architecture. My main reason was not wanting to "regret" not following what I thought I was interested in. Long story short, I ended up finding out about CM, bit the bullet, got accepted, took all the classes and graduated. I worked for a large construction company that moved me around the country for a year and got laid off due to the recent economic downturn. I moved home and now have a decent job here in Louisiana for a decent company making decent money, but nothing life changing. Now that I have been out of school, I have realized the real pros and cons of this job. Pros: decent starting pay (50k) and job availability. Cons: projects move you around, no worthwhile continuing education/development, vulnerable to economy downturns.

I have recently been giving a lot of thought to finishing my nursing BA degree(extra 1.5-2 yrs school to finish), if not continuing education to CRNA or PA. Everywhere I look, nursing has the best starting pay and benefits, long term sustainability, available continuing education and upgraded pay, and a very available job market, all the reasons I had originally decided to go for it. Being able to work overtime, nights, and holidays is also very appealing to me, rather than be on a salary.

Please give me your thoughts on my situation. I am trying to make a decision for the long term and it is not easy. I appreciate any advice/help!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Everywhere I look, nursing has the best starting pay and benefits, long term sustainability, available continuing education and upgraded pay, and a very available job market, all the reasons I had originally decided to go for it. Being able to work overtime, nights, and holidays is also very appealing to me, rather than be on a salary.

These are absolutely the reasons why I decided to give nursing a try and thankfully it turns out that I love it. Not that every day is all joy but over all I think that it is crucial to genuinely care about your patients if you are going to pursue nursing. Since you have already done clinicals I'd guess you know the answer to that question. IMO there isn't enough money in the world to do nursing if its not your cup of tea. Good luck!

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Thanks, I appreciate the response. At the time, I was young and didn't know what the hell I wanted to do with myself. I was always the kind of person to do what I feel and try to live with no regrets. I will say that I don't hate what I am doing but it is just the kind of thing where I can't see it being my "life work". It feels like more of a day to day office grind than actually getting something other than money out of the job. Don't ask me why, but the thought of "working my way up the ladder" in a corporate world really turns me off. As far as my clinicals, I believe I had the wrong attitude going into it because I wasn't sure if it was what I wanted to do, and I was too worried about what else was out there. I believe that I am petty good people person and love to make people laugh and listen to problems. I also have some kind of yearning to do my part in affecting other people lives and community some kind of way in my life. I feel like CM can be rewarding for normal people, but I am just stuck here wanting more. There really is no continuing education or study on "construction", of course. Nothing that keeps the proffession fresh and new, besides the fact that your projects change. I love the fact that if I wanted to stay close to my family, I could stay here and work at the local hospital making good money - - or if I wanted to get up and go I could travel making more, while still owning and having a homebase here in south LA, and be able to come back whenever I want. The reason that it is so attractive is that I am already accepted into the program - I could jump back in whenever I'd like, then It would take me only 1.5-2 yrs to finish. It just kills me to hear that my brother is making 400 for working an extra shift when im clearing only 720 a week :(

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Have you ever thought about combining your construction management background with Infection Prevention and Control? Most hospitals in the US right now and in the foreseable future will need significant faciliites upgrades to meet patient demand. It is expected that when the economy stabliizes, there will be significant building in hosptial and healthcare infrastructure.

Hospital and healthcare construction is risky to patients- there are a number of regulatory standards relating to healthcare construction and infection control. This is something that I have struggled with in my carreer as an Infection Prevention Specialist. I know all about the bacteria and how it is transmitted, but I have very little knowledge about how an air handler works or how to read a blue print. My administration expects me to be able to review construction plans from an Infection Prevention and Control perspective, but they really did not teach the construction aspect in nursing school.

I think this combo would make you an excellent infection prevention and control professional. Go for it!

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Yes I had given it some thought at one time, when I was searching for construction management jobs. I found a listing for a job as facility construction manager at my local hospital, that to my perception would have me in charge of all construction activities in and around this particular hospital. I had not followed up however, because they required 5 yrs experience.

What role do you play as an Infection Prevention Specialist? Would this be considered the same thing as a construction manager - - reviewing plans, submittals, RFI's, dealing with engineers, architects, putting safety plans in to place, etc? I suppose this could be an interesting route since I have good bit of biology background from my prereq's for nursing. I am just not sure if I would still be happy doing basically the same I am doing now. And it seems like if there is no construction going on - - no job? I am very close to my family and friends here in South Louisiana and see myself staying here....So the attractive thing about nursing is that no matter what turn my or my spouses life takes, I can always keep a really good job close to family and freinds at home if I want, or travel and be able to work in potenially any place in the country.

Any idea what a job like yours could offer me monetarily? It seems there is no room for expansion, seeing that once construction is complete, they have no more use for you.

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Specializes in LTC.

If it something that you believe you would enjoy, I say go for it.

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I do believe I would now, since I am older and have a totaly different outlook on everything. Anyone else had a decent job/career already and became a nurse because hey wanted more out of life? or just needed a more flexible job, with better benefits? I would appreciate any helpful views. Thanks

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Specializes in M/S,LTAC, ER-not exactly specialized.

It's sounds like nursing is something you really want to do. If you have already been accepted, I def. would. All the Pros you listed are very much true.

I worked a construction related field -offshore oilfield diving- for 5 years before going to LVN school and am currently working toward my RN. I work back and forth between Texas and Louisiana as an LVN and have never been happier.

It's sounds like you have thought this over and done your homework on the health care industry. You will always have a job as a nurse in Louisiana or if you want to travel- take an assignment. I would go weeks with out work when the oilfield shut down, but as a nurse I work as much or as little as I can afford.

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