2nd career nurse - keep my CPA?

Trauma Columnist · Jan 15, 2006

Wow - I so admire those who understand finance and accounting. Nursing is a second career for me too but I would be hesitant to close doors. Can you keep it in an inactive status? Otherwise I would keep it current. You just never know.

galenight, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

I agree with TraumaRUs. Someday there may be a sub-sub-sub specialty of nurse accountant and you would have a leg up if you kept your license. You know they say to never burn your bridges and keeping your CPA license would keep that bridge up, just in case you find you hate nursing, or the hours aren't for you, or you find yourself unable to physically keep up with the demands of nursing due to illness or injury. Yes, $300 is a lot of money per year, but a small price to pay for a little peace of mind. Good luck

RazorbackRN, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

I agree with TraumaRUs. Someday there may be a sub-sub-sub specialty of nurse accountant and you would have a leg up if you kept your license. You know they say to never burn your bridges and keeping your CPA license would keep that bridge up, just in case you find you hate nursing, or the hours aren't for you, or you find yourself unable to physically keep up with the demands of nursing due to illness or injury. Yes, $300 is a lot of money per year, but a small price to pay for a little peace of mind. Good luck

I totally agree with this. Many things could happen and you may never know when you might need to fall back to that CPA.

flashpoint · Jan 15, 2006

I would keep the CPA...you worked WAY to hard to get it to let it lapse and it is not easy to get it back. You'll have something to fall back on if nursing doesn't work out, if you get injured and can't practice for a while, it would help if you every wanted to go into management...and it takes someone really smart to survive the CPA exam...show it off!!!

:)

traumahawk99 · Jan 15, 2006

it also depends on what rules you qualified under. for example, i let my cert go a long time ago. however, it's only $500 to get it back. no extra classes, since i did the 5th year. that's definitely a consideration if you'd have to go back to master's school to pick it up again. considering that i've saved a few thousand in $ and time as far as continuing education, i'm glad i let it go.

that said, i'm sitting for the cpa exam again this fall :). heh.

clee1 · Jan 15, 2006

I am wondering if I should keep paying for my CPA license. Are there nursing positions that I would really need a license for?

The biggest regret I have over the last 20 years is that I let my EMT-I license lapse.

ALWAYS keep your options open; you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Unless, of course, it is easy to get you CPA license back if you ever need/want it again. If it IS easy to do, why throw the $$$ away?

lee1 · Jan 15, 2006

well there is the new position ------- AVP of Nursing Finance-------

In my hospital that is a MSN with an additional business degree or business background

You never know what level of nursing you will aspire to. Keep your options open at all times

pugmum · Jan 15, 2006

I am a second-career nursing student and I am a CPA. I am wondering if I should keep paying for my CPA license. Are there nursing positions that I would really need a license for? I understand that there are jobs where a background as a CPA would be helpful, but I'm just doubtful that I will really need the license. I do not plan to ever work for an accounting firm or open my own practice. It's $300 per year, so not a trivial amount of money.
Anyone out there with some experience on this topic?
Thanks.

Scrape up the bucks, hang on to it and don't EVER give it up. Aside from the fact you earned it, think about your future. Many mangement or special project jobs are hunting for nurses with a clinical experience and a business background. Right now you are still a student, but you won't always be. In a few years time you may have the edge on other applicants for a great job all because of that little old CPA! And, although it sounds like you have no intention of packing in nursing...what if in two years after graduating you decide you can't do this any more? or you are injured?

Look at this as your insurance policy...its a premium you pay, and worth it if you need it! Good luck to you.

kwagner_51 · Jan 15, 2006

DON"T give it up! I regret that I never got my EMT-B cert. If I had it would have opened doors for me. On your resume, a CPA license will look good and prove that you are not afraid of hard work.

Also, I would much rather go to a CPA who is also a nurse [therefore understanding what nurses make] than just a CPA who knows nothing about nurses. You could do counciling on the side for nurses who do not know how to control/invest their money!

I wish you were close to where I live, I would hire you to give me advice on how to invest our income so that we could have a great retirement and be able to pay our bills on time EVERYTIME!!

______________________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

suzanne4, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Definitely keep it, later on you may wish to combine the two.....:)

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

Keep it! I was an insurance broker for many years before going back to school to become an RN. You better believe I keep paying the fees to keep my insurance license. You never know, and why not just keep all doors open.