2nd degree nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello,

I am looking to hear from some 2nd degree nurses. Can you please give me some information about how you knew that nursing was for you. What made you leave behind the first career. Was it hard to leave the first career and the security of the first career to go to nursing? Could you please tell you age and the path that you took to nursing.

Thanks!

I'm going into nursing because every job I've had in the past 15 years has been outsourced to China, Brazil, Russia and India.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing, Orthopediacs.

I taught school make money nursing. Hubby thinks my two yrs. Nursing I am happier than previous career.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I always wanted to be a nurse. Instead I wound up as a medical transcriptionist and medical office worker. U absorbed the things I was typing and witnessing like a sponge. I always felt like I had my nose against the glass, looking into the world I really wanted to be part of. I got older, life got short and I decided I had no more time to waste. Graduated at 41 years of age and very glad I did it.

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My degree is in Communications. I had worked my way from a cubicle to an office (no windows, white walls). I just got to a point where I was miserable going to work and sitting all day, not really benefiting anyone. As I got older, I wanted to do something with more meaning and more action. I am halfway through pre-reqs and will start nursing school summer 2013. It is an accelerated program so on top of not working, I will incur quite a bit of debt. I go back and forth every day on whether this is a good decision. I feel very guilty about incurring this debt when I already have a degree and I should be saving for my kid's college, not mine.

This is my situation decsribed to a tee. I've been a software developer/project manager for almost 20 years and worked for some of the world's largest companies as an employee or contractor. There is still room for more advancement, promotions, pay increases, etc., but it doesn't hold what it once did and a 6 figure income isn't everything. That combined with a very strong desire to want to be able to help those in need, I was naturally drawn to nursing. I've done my research, and didn't make this desicion overnight. I talked with several friends and family members who are anything from LPNs, to NPs, to physicians. Knowing my personality and background, they all told me it was a natural fit. So after about 2 years of info gathering, I've started my prereqs.

But at the end of my journey, I'll be able to pass on to my daughter, what I consider the most impportant life lesson. Be happy. Money is good, but if you're not happy, it doesn't mean a thing. Follow your dreams, listen to your heart, and it's never...EVER to late.

I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care, Cardiothoracic Surgery.

My first degree was a BA in psychology. After graduation, I was shocked to learn that I would have to get my master's to do anything with that degree (duh!).

But I still put out 20 apps./week after graduating, while working at Starbucks (which is a great place to work, truthfully).

I finally got a temp job with the government, and when I saw that dwindling, I started looking for a new job and found many nursing positions for $40+/hr.

The thought of going back to school irked me, but so did the thought of that weekly stack of rejection letters. So, I went back and got my BSN.

I have been a critical care nurse for five years and I love it (and I'm damn good at it too!).

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

I entered into nursing as my second career/degree at the age of 40....I had a degree in Education that I really never used in my life (I was a 21 year old, immature grad at that time who was more interested in chasing girls and drinking beer...just being honest)....I spent 18 years in business for myself and was never truly happy or fulfilled....when my mother became very ill (and passed) I was blessed to see the awesome care that she was given by some incredible nurses, some of which were men...I was so inspired by these nurses that I took a long look at my happiness, and found that I wasn't happy at all in my career....sold my business, took a year off from life to absorb nursing school and clinicals...it has been the best decision I ever made....I am happy, fulfilled and make a nice income....in fact I am starting my LPN to BSN journey today, so it is in my blood now....

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I was in the fashion industry and it was a series of events that lead me to nursing. Ultimately, when I was pregnant with my second son, I had a stroke. I was in the hospital for a month though luckily, I recovered quickly and my son was born and is just fine. I just realized that life is short and I HATED my job and never wanted to go back. I wanted a career that was family friendly and something I cared about, not just another job. I had a lot of positive experiences with nurses while in the hospital and also with the NICU nurses with my first son. My sister in law is a nurse and she kind of steered me in this direction. I went back & forth with nursing & teaching so I decided to get a job in a daycare and see how I liked it. Well, I didn't even last a week! Si, the more I reserched nursing, the more I felt like it was what I wanted to do. I went back to school for my pre-reqs, taking one class at a time, and I loved it! I just graduated at 41 and I've been working as a camp nurse this summer and next month I will start my full-time job in the NICU.

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Even though I am a nursing student (start October)...I thought I'd chim in. I have a B.S. in Pschology but worked in the business world since the age of 20. I'm in my 30's and it became apparent sitting in a cube, behind a computer was not doing it for me. I made great money but I wanted to help people. I wasn't helping anyone and I was miserable. I knew a few nurses and I always bugged them to tell me stories. They seemed happy and content. That's what I want...there's nothing worse then hating your job and knowing deep down you should be..need to be something different.

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I spent 20 years in financial services. The corporate life is ruthless and the only goal is shareholder return. I made a ton of money and traveled the world, but even that gets old when you have no time or energy to spend the money or enjoy the travel. My first degree was in Business.

I wanted to have a useful skill to offer society, one that can make people's lives better without a whole lot of rationalizing. (I can rationalize that banks provide useful services, but they are also soul-less). So, I got a Masters in public health while still working at the bank. Then I was laid off and this was the perfect time to make a change. But most of the public health jobs I'm interested in need an RN.

I spent a year doing the pre-reqs and am 8 weeks into my nursing program. I will graduate at 44 years old and hope to have a solid 20 years in a nursing career

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Specializes in 4.

I have known since I was 19 that I wanted to be a nurse. I started out as a medical assistant, did that for 6 yrs but I wanted more. I knew being a nurse was for me. I made good money working for a medical insurance company for 12 yrs & was miserable. Money isn't everything when you aren't happy with what you are doing professionally. At nearly 40 yrs old, I found "my time" & went to school for my LVN. Currently, I am working as an LVN (which I absolutely LOVE) and I am taking my RN pre-req's. My goal has always been to get my MSN and I have no doubt I will get there.

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I graduated with a BA in political science in 2002 at 21; it didn't get me very far. I worked in the accounting dept. at an advertising firm and as an escrow officer at a title agency prior to deciding to go back to school. It wasn't until I found myself as a patient in the ICU that it occurred to me to consider nursing. The treatment I received as a patient, the practical aspects of it, and the job market ultimately drove me to the profession at 25. My only regret is the student loan debt - love the career!

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I was a high school teacher (for 1 year) before I decided to go back to nursing school. Nursing had always been an interest of mine, and after dabbling in teaching, I discovered very quickly it was not my cup of tea. I finished my BSN in December 2011 and have been at the bedside since January of this year.

I can tell you now that I made the absolute best decision of my life doing this. I love my job, I do not dread going to work like I did when I was in the classroom, and the schedule fits my life so much better. I am making about the same amount of money now as I did when I was teaching, but I am working so, so much less (3 12's a week) and I never bring work home with me - actually, it would be illegal if I did!!

There are pros and cons to any job, but at this point, I am happy I made the decision to start over in a new career and foresee myself having a long, fulfilling career.

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