anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

minnib · Jun 4, 2004

Hi All,

I just wanted to say to everyone good luck!!!I am an LPN on a Rehab unit at a local hospital and I really do like it, please some words of advice...be prepared for other nurses not to be as enthuised about nursing as you are!, some of these nurses will make you feel stupid or down nursing...let it go on one ear and out the other, believe me you will develope thick skin at some point!!! Even on my worst nights having a patient say to me they will not get good care while I am off for the night is the sweetest thing a person can say to me makes it all worth it! There so many highs and lows in nursing and so many emotions it is a very fulfilling and very draining career at the same time knowing that you are taking of someone who has terminal brain cancer and has 6 months to live and they don't even look sick is troubling. You will think any symptom you have is some dreadful disease....you know it's funny sometimes I wish I didn't know all these medical stuff:-) Anyway you are more than welcome to email me for any other nursing info. Above all else please make the sure the real reason you want to be a nurse is because you really love to help people believe me (good)nurses do not ignore call lights for 15 minutes just because there is an aide on the floor!

[email protected]

zicovico · Jun 4, 2004

I obtained my BBA in Accounting in 2000, and have just few classes left to complete my MBA. I presently work with a financial institution as a Senior Accountant. I have observed, along the path of my life, that I work better with women. I have had better professional relationship with female bosses than male. Virtually all my friends are female.

My wife recently pointed my attention to a female-oriented profession such as Nursing. She felt if I have better professional relationship working with the opposite sex, Nursing is a definite plus. For the past months, I have developed a unique passion for the profession of Nursing. However, I am taking things slow as I do not want to make any major mistake as I make the career change.

I have already been admitted to a community college for Associate Degree in Nursing.

Anyone in the same boat? Any advice on the career change?

kellilou3 · Jun 4, 2004

There appears to be some strange relationship between accounting and nursing, because many people on this board are leaving jobs as accountants to become nurses. I know someone who actually went in the opposite direction-leaving nursing for accounting. Why is that?

zicovico · Jun 4, 2004

There appears to be some strange relationship between accounting and nursing, because many people on this board are leaving jobs as accountants to become nurses. I know someone who actually went in the opposite direction-leaving nursing for accounting. Why is that?

You would notice that the proportion of those leaving Accounting for Nursing far outweighed those leaving Nursing to Accounting. It is very rare to see people leaving Nursing for Accounting. At least, I haven't seen any. On the other hand, I have seen scores of friends and schoolmates that have either changed career to Nursing or Pharmacy.

sabrn2006 · Jun 4, 2004

I am entering an ADN program in August after working in human services for the last few years. Before that I was a bookkeeper and a dispatcher, among other things - LOL! It took me a while to summon up the courage to apply to nursing school. Now that I've been accepted, I am scared to death!

Congratulations on your entry into Nursing School. Let us know how you are doing and how we can help!

night

zicovico · Jun 8, 2004

I am entering an ADN program in August after working in human services for the last few years. Before that I was a bookkeeper and a dispatcher, among other things - LOL! It took me a while to summon up the courage to apply to nursing school. Now that I've been accepted, I am scared to death!

There is always the propensity to be scared when taking any landmark risk. Life is an adventure. Those who fail to jump the gun and take risk are always left behind in the affairs of life.

Don't be scared dear. Behind every silver linning, there is a cloud.

dcs · Jun 8, 2004

I am a 42 year old male,after 21 years of being an accountant in the financial
services industry I need a career change. I went to a career counselor and
nursing was one of the careers among others that came through that I should
consider. My wife is a CCU nurse and she says I have the right personality
and temperament for nursing. I have been accepted to a community college
in New Jersey for pre nursing program to get a A.S in Nursing. The school
requires you take the pre reqs (Anamoty & Phyis I& II) etc and take a test
before you can take nursing courses. I am aware of the pros and cons of the
nursing profession. After 21 years from graduating from college, I have some
apprehension of going back to school full time and also juggling family respons-
ibilties (I have a 10 yr old son) . If anyone can share a simlar experience I
would greatly appreciate the feed back.

Hi Terrapinstation,

I'm also a 42yo male, and am in the middle of the change. I have 18yrs in I/T and have had enough of the corporate world. I have 2 kids (15, 11) and work full time as a Sr I/T Business Analyst. I hold a BS in CS. Just finished my first year of nursing courses and have only 2 semesters left(ASN degree - 2 nights a week & every other weekend (sat & Sun)).

For me, it is much more enjoyable - also a little scary being a newbie again. The courses are OK(lots of homework - much more than I thought), its the clinical that scares you a little - you're new, you're also old enough to know your limitations due to inexperience. But you will get through it, it is very rewarding personally - I've had terminal patients thank me for my care of them, doctors thank me for catching problems with my patients while I'm doing my assessments, that they missed in their short visits. I've also had experienced nurses help me and others that attack because you're new (ie - attitude). But you know you'll see this in all fields of work.

The hard part is the 8-12hrs of homework that you have to do - my wife is very supportive as is my eldest. My youngest is supportive in thought, but it hurts him emotionally that I am so busy - plan on special time with your kids and plan that you will not have a personal life for 2-3 years(Saying no to parties, social events, relatives). But in the long run - if you are happier with your daily grind, your family will reap the benefits of a happier Dad & husband. There is a light at the end of the tunnel - I have had a 1.5 yrs of school in this mode, and will be taking the NCLEX one year from now. Good Luck!

chiliwings · Jun 9, 2004

Wow I am impressed at how you handle all the different responsibilities. I am curious though, what made you decide to shift from a IT to nursing? I too come from a similar field. Although I only worked in that field for about 3 years. The bad economy as well as lack of better opportunities made me decide to pursue nursing.

Hi Terrapinstation,
I'm also a 42yo male, and am in the middle of the change. I have 18yrs in I/T and have had enough of the corporate world. I have 2 kids (15, 11) and work full time as a Sr I/T Business Analyst. I hold a BS in CS. Just finished my first year of nursing courses and have only 2 semesters left(ASN degree - 2 nights a week & every other weekend (sat & Sun)).
For me, it is much more enjoyable - also a little scary being a newbie again. The courses are OK(lots of homework - much more than I thought), its the clinical that scares you a little - you're new, you're also old enough to know your limitations due to inexperience. But you will get through it, it is very rewarding personally - I've had terminal patients thank me for my care of them, doctors thank me for catching problems with my patients while I'm doing my assessments, that they missed in their short visits. I've also had experienced nurses help me and others that attack because you're new (ie - attitude). But you know you'll see this in all fields of work.
The hard part is the 8-12hrs of homework that you have to do - my wife is very supportive as is my eldest. My youngest is supportive in thought, but it hurts him emotionally that I am so busy - plan on special time with your kids and plan that you will not have a personal life for 2-3 years(Saying no to parties, social events, relatives). But in the long run - if you are happier with your daily grind, your family will reap the benefits of a happier Dad & husband. There is a light at the end of the tunnel - I have had a 1.5 yrs of school in this mode, and will be taking the NCLEX one year from now. Good Luck!

zicovico · Jun 9, 2004

Wow I am impressed at how you handle all the different responsibilities. I am curious though, what made you decide to shift from a IT to nursing? I too come from a similar field. Although I only worked in that field for about 3 years. The bad economy as well as lack of better opportunities made me decide to pursue nursing.

Dave is the man. I like resilient people like him.

zicovico · Jun 9, 2004

Hi, Amy--
You are not alone. I'm thinking seriously of making the career switch from education. I'm really interested in this field and am taking this summer to explore options. Sometimes it feels strange and frightening to imagine shifting to such a different kind of work as nursing. I'm struggling with fears that come with realizing the awesome responsibility of having people's lives in my hands. And yet, I have that now, as a teacher (in a different way) and certainly as a parent. I also think that I could handle that responsibility with more competence now than when I was younger. What's more, I think that I can use skills I've developed in my present work. You probably have many skills that you developed in your present work, including coping with ther stress of deadlines, problem-solving, communications, attention to details, teamwork. Those will probably be assets in nursing, in ways that will emerge as you go along. We need to think positively about all that we have learned, and see the growth that comes with career change as an asset. Good luck! :)

"I also think that I could handle that responsibility with more competence now than when I was younger. What's more, I think that I can use skills I've developed in my present work. You probably have many skills that you developed in your present work, including coping with ther stress of deadlines, problem-solving, communications, attention to details, teamwork."

You are certainly right. I noticed that some of these younger nurses do not really have the professionalism it takes to deal with patients from different cultural backgrounds. It takes long working years of prior experience to handle such cultural and racial differences.

Thanks for sharing that with us.

dcs · Jun 9, 2004

Wow I am impressed at how you handle all the different responsibilities. I am curious though, what made you decide to shift from a IT to nursing? I too come from a similar field. Although I only worked in that field for about 3 years. The bad economy as well as lack of better opportunities made me decide to pursue nursing.

Your last sentence says it all. Anybody says different is either lieing or just inexperienced. My personal opinion, take it for what its worth...

Plus the fact that I went to school for nursing in 1981 after the military, and changed careers to computers after being told it's only for women... Can we say young and impressionable? or just dumb... I call myself all of them...

Oh well, I've had a great career in computers, but need the change - I need to be happy doing what I do day in and day out. And to add more job security to my list - taking care of my family is number one.

The hard part is - for me - deciding on an area of specialty - torn between ICU, trauma(ED), or anesthesia.... Will need to make the decision before applying fo graduate school. So many choices, so little time...

neonatalRN · Jun 24, 2004

Hey Dave,

I see your post here. How is your summer going? I am still impatiently waiting for my baby to arrive, due next week.

Sorry to hijack this thread! LOL.

Heidi