For all you people who chose (or are choosing) to switch careers and go into nursing: were you feeling as nervous about it as I am?
I'm not even a student yet, but am planning to start taking a few of my non-nursing courses during the evenings this summer. I'm starting this way because I don't want to quit my current full-time job until I have to - want to get as much $ out of my current employer as possible before I leave!
But here I am, not even a student yet, and I'm soooo nervous... can I handle school (again), am I choosing the right career this time, will I make it, will I find that nursing is just too difficult / confusing / stressful for me? I know that only time will answer these questions. But please tell me that some of you were just as nervous as I am.
I'm intelligent, caring, detail-oriented and work better under pressure, at least in my current job... so I believe I can handle it. But this will be such a major change in my life, I need some reassurance that the way I feel is not uncommon. Help!
I am 46 and will also be making a career change into the LPN program August 2004. I have always worked secretarial jobs and have been burnt out for a long time. I thought I had lost my mind when I decided to pursue nursing. My first job was as a CNA MANY years ago. I also have that security blanket, an 8 hour job a paycheck every 2 weeks, but I am also scared !! I will be quitting my job next year and my husband will be the sole breadwinner. In the meantime I am taking my pre-reqs at night. I still have doubts about getting into study habits, retaining stuff and all kinds of things and most days I think to myself 'you're nuts', but I know that if I don't pursue this I will always wonder if I would have made it and I get pretty excited about it, kind of a pep talk. What's funny is the brochure for my nursing program has a picture inside of some students in class and I recognized one of the students as a man I knew about 10 years ago, a family friend, I found out he graduated last year. I flipped. I can't wait to give my employer notice. Of course I do menial things at my job and I know I will as a nurse but I will make a difference and be appreciated by someone. good luck.
I'm a first year nursing student in the UK having previously worked in ground handling at an airport.
After 9-11 I knew it was time to find a different job and use my skills in somthing else. Didn't know what but knew I wanted a challenge.
I applied for nursing not really expecting to be accepted. When the acceptance came through I nearly didn't take up the offer due to fear of changing career. In the end I closed my eyes and jumped but gave myself the safety net of "if I don't like it I tried".
I LOVE IT and can't believe I never thought of nursing as a career years ago.
It is hard work. There are days when you wonder what you are doing and you can't see your desk for study papers but don't care because you're too tired to even think about it.
On the up side if it's a second career you already have exprience of working and life experience counts a lot in nursing.
I took a study skills course before I started as I had been out of school for 15 years and that helped with the nerves about not being able to cope with the academic stuff.
You can do it and you've always got the boards to help you through.
Since I've signed on with allnurses, this has been the best thread I have read yet. It's so wonderful to find people that are in the same boat as I am. I'm very much a worrier, and often a procrastinator b/c of this. I too would be making a 2nd career change. I guess by major concern is choosing Nursing because it's right for me. That still remains a question in my mind, "is it right for me?"....I have worked now about 5 years in a different area of healthcare, and I feel very "safe". However, I do not feel fulfilled, and often, find myself looking for things to do. Additionally, I AM SICK OF BEING STUCK BEHIND A DESK! I very much prefer the clinical aspect of healthcare. Anyhoo, I just wanted to say to all of you Thanks! You have really made me feel like, "Yeah, I can do this!"
I agree this thread definetly needs to continue.....I feel if it wasn't for all you guys on allnurses I would allready be out of school.....it is because of all the nice people here that I am still truckin on..... :-))))))
I agree this thread definetly needs to continue.....I feel if it wasn't for all you guys on allnurses I would allready be out of school.....it is because of all the nice people here that I am still truckin on..... :-))))))
I have to agree too...the people here keep me motivated and reassured! I'm so glad I found this place!
I was VERY nervous about changing careers almost 3 years ago. I'd been in the dental field for 23 years, with the last 12 at an Oral Surgery office that I loved. I would have never taken the plunge into schoolif my husbands job had not transferred us to IL. Even thenI went on a few interviews, but knew I would never find a place like I had just left.
So with dread in my soul I went back to school, 24 years after HS. Found that I love school and may go back to teach nursing someday. My problem now is, I don't want to go back to work, LOL, but these bills are gonna have to get paid someday.
Good luck all.........
As of this writing 72 days until graduation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really want to do something meaningful with my life. I am tired of sitting in front of a computer all day with little or no people contact. I want to feel like I am making a positive impact on the world. Studying to become a nurse has given me a new energy for life that I have been missing for a long time.
LauraLou,
Are we twins, separated at birth????
I too am making a big change. Not just in terms of environment and profession but also in the $$ department. I know I will be taking a major cut to become a nurse but here is what I have learned in my 40++ years of life.
MONEY DOES NOT A FULFILLED PERSON MAKE!
Having enough money to live without constant sacrifice and worry is aboslutely a must. Having two new cars in the drive of a huge mortgaged home is not happiness to everyone.
It has taken me many many years and numerous career blunders to make this decison. I know at this point it is the right thing.
As for your comment about A & P and the incredible amount of memorizing, all I can say is do it now. Believe me the older we get the less we can retain. I used to think I studied a lot when I was younger. HAH, that was faking compared to the amount of time I need now. BUT, I know it will all be worth it in the end.
I am 46 and will also be making a career change into the LPN program August 2004.
Kat57,
You are not alone. I am 46 and will begin a program in June. You can do it.
There are quite a few of us 40 somethings changing to nursing. Most of us post on the distance ed thread as this is one of the popular choices for us NON-NON students.
kat57
53 Posts
Hi Mastiff;
I am 46 and will also be making a career change into the LPN program August 2004. I have always worked secretarial jobs and have been burnt out for a long time. I thought I had lost my mind when I decided to pursue nursing. My first job was as a CNA MANY years ago. I also have that security blanket, an 8 hour job a paycheck every 2 weeks, but I am also scared !! I will be quitting my job next year and my husband will be the sole breadwinner. In the meantime I am taking my pre-reqs at night. I still have doubts about getting into study habits, retaining stuff and all kinds of things and most days I think to myself 'you're nuts', but I know that if I don't pursue this I will always wonder if I would have made it and I get pretty excited about it, kind of a pep talk. What's funny is the brochure for my nursing program has a picture inside of some students in class and I recognized one of the students as a man I knew about 10 years ago, a family friend, I found out he graduated last year. I flipped. I can't wait to give my employer notice. Of course I do menial things at my job and I know I will as a nurse but I will make a difference and be appreciated by someone. good luck.