Here's hoping some of you experienced nurses can help me figure out if my plan below makes sense!
Anyway, I'm a 34 year male that's been in software engineering for 13 years. I'm good at my job, but to be honest its become stale. Still, money is money, and it's very lucrative.
Last October, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (stage 2AX). Talk about a wake up call to what's important. Without getting into the gory details, I'm fully in remission, and my onc puts my likelihood of being cured at 95% (woohoo!).
This little bump in my road of life really got me to thinking about what I want. While my current job pays well, I also work 60-70 hours a week, including some nights and weekends. That takes away from my family time. I'm not doing something that helps people, and I think my experience really brought that into focus for me.
I took a look at salaries, type of work -- Heck, I even interviewed two family members who are nurses (both of whom said point-blank they think I'd make an awesome nurse). While I'm sure this decision has a little "life-changing cancer event" in them, I've made sure there are logical reasons behind it as well and weighed pros-cons. The only real con for me is salary - I'll be taking a 50% pay cut to start (ouch). However, as our son is going to school next year, with my wife rejoining the workforce that makes up that loss.
Anyway, I've decided (with my wife and family's blessing) to become a nurse at 34. My plan right now is to get through an Associate's Program at a local (but very reputable) community college and get my RN. My wife (who has a Bachelor's in Cell and Molecular bio) is going to do the same, actually. My eventual goal is to get to work in a few years, complete a RN to BSN program while working, then potentially go for a NP and/or MSN (I'm a schooling junkie). Specialties I'm going to try for are Surg/Trauma or Oncology. The pay is still decent as I move along, there's flexibility with hours it seems, I'll be helping people each and every day, and I'll probably get to wear scrubs
I haven't been this excited about work in a very long time!
A couple questions for you all:
1) Do you think my plan above makes sense (i.e. getting the RN/ASN first, then going back for the BSN)? Given there isn't a massive salary difference, would let me start working several years sooner, and get my pre-requisites away for any bachelor's program, it makes sense to me. Never mind that the hospital I work for would likely pay for the continuing education!
2) How would a newbie go about getting into Surg/Trauma or Oncology? Where would a new nurse get put first?
3) Is there anything any of you would recommend modifying in my plan above? I'm walking into this knowing only the work experiences of several nurses, nothing on the path to getting there.
Your plan is fine. Remember what was told in a different post though--if you already have a bachelors you might qualify for an accelerated bachelor's program and if you can, I'd do that.
You do have that sense of idealism about you, but that's okay! Cancer sucks and I am glad you are over that bump in the road!
Right now, you are pulled towards oncology because that's what you know. That's okay, you might just be the next award-winning onco nurse! But, on the other hand, you might relate too closely for comfort to some of your patients..so for now, don't limit yourself to what you want to do. Look into all the different types of nursing and decide later. Just don't lock yourself into any particular mindset. The fluidity of the profession is a huge plus but you have to have an open mind to appreciate it.
You had a funny sentence in your last quote "I like coding" ROTFL...when you are a nurse you will see that in a whole 'nother light :) :)
That is so awesome!!! I am in a BSN program right now, and you should definitely look into one of those programs, especially since you already have a bachelors and are contemplating a MSN. I think you'll have no problem finding an oncology job after graduation because I'm in clinicals on a surgical oncology unit right now. I love it, but touching at times. They hire new nurses on that unit.
Hey I'm a Hodgkin's survivor, too! That's one of the main reasons I decided to go back to school to become a nurse. Since I already have a few degrees, I realized that once I did my pre-reqs the Accelerated BSN was 5 semesters-same as ADN. And as other posters have said, a lot of schools are now starting direct-to-MSN for people with previous degrees. Of course the one at my school started AFTER I started the BSN... Definitely look into those! Good luck!
(oh, and I think what the other poster meant about
"You had a funny sentence in your last quote 'I like coding' ROTFL...when you are a nurse you will see that in a whole 'nother light "
is that "coding" for nurses refers to a patient going into cardiac arrest-- not usually what nurses like! )
Congrat's both on your remission and your new direction in what's important! It is exhilirating, isn't it?
I have a previous BS but with a substandard GPA-not worthy of admission to the Accelerated BSN program nearby. Not to mention, the accelerated BSN programs would have cost us between $40k and $80k. OUCH!
I chose to go the local CC with the great reputation route for all the reasons you mentioned and more. (The $7k price tag is nice, for example.) I also want to pursue NP someday and have a plan to either go directly into an RN-BSN program or wait and work and then do a RN-MSN when the time is right. I am currently finishing up my last two pre req's and beginning nursing school in the Fall. I have to say that I have had no questions or doubts about this change in direction. My pre req classes have just confirmed tome how much I just love this stuff! In addition, the possibilities are so endless from hospital nursing, school nursing, public health or research! Being a learning lover like yourself, the fact that I can switch it up a little, take a few more classes, and try different areas along the path is really exciting.
I too had a degree in a field where I thought not many of my clases would transfer (BA in Mass Communications). However when I really looked into it I only needed 8 classes (which were done in 3 semesters and a summer) to be able to apply to an accelerated bachelors program. All in all, from the time I quit my full time job until the time I began work as a licenced RN was 2 years and 7 months... This was VERY worth it for me! I am SO much happier in my station in life now and it took half the time I figured it would... Look in your area for accelerated bachelors or generic MSN programs, the time saved by utilizing your previous education is precious!
Good Luck!
PS
you may also be surprised by how much of your prevous degree/life experience will translate into nursing...
Also, there are masters' entry programs for non-nurses. I'm starting one in the fall, my bachelor's degree is in music so I had to take all the prereq's as well. When I'm done (20 month program, full time) I will still be a new nurse but I will have an MSN so I won't have to go back for another degree before I can get started on an NP program which is also my goal. Yes I know I'll need a few years' experience first but the idea of being finished with the school part in one fell swoop really appealed to me.
You've gotten some great advice... just let me add that I love working with male nurses. We have one on my floor right now, and soon to have another as a GN as soon as he graduates.
We have a lot of second career nurses on my floor.
We're always hiring in Med Surg/Oncology.
I don't think you'll have any trouble finding a job once you graduate.
And if you don't/can't pay off the student loans, there are a lot of hospitals that offer loan forgiveness for x amount of years.
Thanks all. Its not going to be a short process (going to school part time, and need pre-reqs), but lining stuff up. There's an open house for a community college program I want to get in on Wednesday; They are full for fall 08, but since I have pre-reqs anyway fall 09 is fine.
Im looking at a Associates program purely for cost; It will let me get my RN faster or at the same speed, at a reduced cost. I'll go back and get the Masters, but once I'm at a hospital that will pay for it.
I'm not against the Associates personally - In fact, the Community College I'm looking at has a higher 1st time NCLEX pass rate than the University of Pennsylvania!
I can't wait. I'm probably 2 1/2 years out, but it will happen soon enough!
1) do you think my plan above makes sense (i.e. getting the rn/asn first, then going back for the bsn)? given there isn't a massive salary difference, would let me start working several years sooner, and get my pre-requisites away for any bachelor's program, it makes sense to me. never mind that the hospital i work for would likely pay for the continuing education!
2) how would a newbie go about getting into surg/trauma or oncology? where would a new nurse get put first?
3) is there anything any of you would recommend modifying in my plan above? i'm walking into this knowing only the work experiences of several nurses, nothing on the path to getting there.
thanks in advance!
philaguy, i think your plan is awesome. sometimes what you do, in other words...what makes you happy is more important than the salary. the only thing i would want to add is that working for a year, after graduation, on a general med/surg floor is a ticket to working in any area in which you want to work.
my husband is 50 years old. an electrical engineer who is sick of his job and tired of being laid off. 5 times since 9-11. he is looking at nursing school or ultrasonography.
Definitely look into those! Good luck!
MIA-RN
245 Posts
Your plan is fine. Remember what was told in a different post though--if you already have a bachelors you might qualify for an accelerated bachelor's program and if you can, I'd do that.
You do have that sense of idealism about you, but that's okay! Cancer sucks and I am glad you are over that bump in the road!
Right now, you are pulled towards oncology because that's what you know. That's okay, you might just be the next award-winning onco nurse! But, on the other hand, you might relate too closely for comfort to some of your patients..so for now, don't limit yourself to what you want to do. Look into all the different types of nursing and decide later. Just don't lock yourself into any particular mindset. The fluidity of the profession is a huge plus but you have to have an open mind to appreciate it.
You had a funny sentence in your last quote "I like coding" ROTFL...when you are a nurse you will see that in a whole 'nother light :) :)