anyone else changing careers to go into nursing?

bodine · Feb 3, 2003

Someone had posed a similar question at a open house I attended for a BSN program and the moderator (who had twenty years exp.) suggested that the person get her BSN or associates and practice for a few years before getting her masters. The moderator noted that she entered nursing school intending to practice pediatrics and fell in love with oncology. Today, 20 years later, she still practices in that area. For the same reason, the BSN programs I have looked at do not allow you to elect your own clinicals because they want to ensure that you get exposed to all types of nursing.

Also, given the demand for nurses do you think you might be able to get your asociates, get a job and then get an employer to pay for you to get your masters? I have not looked into the availability of these types of options, but I have wondered what is out there in the way of tuition reimbursement for nursing continuing education.

amyrae76 · Feb 3, 2003

I've asked around about the tuition reimbursement programs too, and they ARE out there, but it's not "free and clear" money. From what I hear, your employer will repay a percentage of your student loans (or they'll give you a big sign-on bonus) only if you sign a contract to work for them for a certain number of years. The downside of that is that you probably won't have much control over your schedule that way. If you start off working nights at a job and hate it, if you've signed a contract with them you've got to stay there. But it's still definitely worth checking into!

ELAINES · Feb 4, 2003

You're never too old to change careers! I'm 49 1/2 years old.

Hi everyone,

I was accepted to my 1st choice nursing school today! I am a legal investigator and plan to blend nursing with law=Legal Nurse Consultant. While waiting I have been following this thread. Your information and heartfelt encouragement has sustained me for the 4 month wait for acceptance. Thanks

SirJohnny · Feb 8, 2003

Amy:

- I am 39 yrs old, have MS-Comp Sci degree, and am switching into the nursng field.

- Granted, I am going to make the transition gradually. But, if I like the experience of nursing - then I plan on doing it full-time and getting out of computer science all together.

- I just utterly, utterly hate being kept in a cubicle all day long. Surprised we don't have a hamster or gerbil wheel for humans at the end of the hall to exercise in.

- So don't feel alone.

- Talked with my cousin who is going for BSN at California State Univerity (near Pittsburgh, PA). Says there are 50 students in his class. Only 4 are out of high school. The rest are adults making change to 2nd career. Says 11 of the folks are male students.

- Gotta run.

John Coxey

([email protected])

amyrae76 · Feb 10, 2003

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply! Great point about a hamster wheel -- some days that's just what I need after sitting on my butt in front of a computer for 8 hours straight!

That's good to hear that a lot of nursing students are older, second-career students. I'll be 27 when I start nursing school, and I don't particularly want to be in classes with a bunch of 18-year-olds. It will be nice to have older students whom I can relate to.

Now if I can only get through these last 6 months before I can quit my job and start school full-time! You have no idea how hard it is to keep my plans a secret from my boss and all my coworkers until the time is right to tell them!

amy :)

bizzle · Feb 11, 2003

Hi everyone. I had to jump in here because I am in the same position. Exact same position as Bodine, sounds like. I am a transactional lawyer (meaning if you see it on TV, we don't do it). I am thinking about nursing as a second career, probably through an accelerated degree program. It's great to see that nursing as a second career is a popular idea.

What I am trying to determine, after reading this board for weeks and a couple of Echo Heron books, is if I am actually interested in nursing or if I am just captivated by the idea of a different job. Do you know what I mean? I am under no illusions about the ick and hassle factors. The higher activiity level and interaction with the public appeal to me, like many of you have stated. What makes you think you will like it any more than your current job once you get 4-5 years down the road?

Thanks, and you new 2nd career nursing students--don't forget to keep us posted!

amyrae76 · Feb 11, 2003

Hi bizzle!

Glad you posted! You bring up a good point. I often wonder the same thing myself -- do I really want to go into nursing, or am I just in love with the idea of a new job?

This is my 3rd job out of college, and I've had the same boredom issues at every job, enough to lead me to believe that I've chosen the wrong field. So then, I started looking at what career options are out there and thinking what would be radically different from what I do? I figured out the things I hate about my current field -- sitting in front of a computer all day, minimal interaction with people, the feeling that what I do doesn't make any kind of difference, my lack of interest in my field, etc. When I thought of nursing, it seemed to counter each of the problems I've had with my current career. And, it offers so many different choices, not to mention all the jobs available out there.

Have you shadowed any nurses? I've talked to several and shadowed one. The whole time, I asked myself, could I do this? Would I like doing this? And after doing this and talking to many people in the field (nurses and nursing students alike), I've come to the conclusion that it's at least worth a try.

Here's how I see my choices: I can (a) keep doing this job in a field that no longer interests me and in which I dread going to work every day, or (b) take a chance on a new career which will give me many different opportunities to try. As my boyfriend likes to remind me, what's the worst that could happen? You could get into it and not really like it, but at least you'd have that education and you could use it as a springboard for something else.

Sorry I've kinda rambled on. I hope this helps you!

amy :)

metatronblue · Feb 11, 2003

Bizzle and amyrae76

Good points...for me, I have also loved science and was pre-med in college many moons ago...too many student loans and just plain burnout from working 3 jobs to put myself through college guided my towards a career in business and marketing, I could get on a solid career path sooner and for the most part, I enjoy marketing, but have hit the glass ceiling so to speak. I have always longed to be in healthcare working with people. I have often thought of switching to doing marketing for a hospital or other healthcare organization, but want to do patient care.

My mom was also a nurse for 30+ years, so I know the drill, how hard the work is and what to expect. I also have been volunteering at a local hospital and have interviewed a few nurse practitioners as well.

Nursing also allows for a little more flexibility to work per diem if need be due to complex family committments as well. And, if I miss business and marketing, once I am a certified nurse practitioner, I can always go into healthcare marketing and administration or teaching..>There is huge shortage on qualified nurses to teach higher ed as well. Good Luck!

bizzle · Feb 12, 2003

Those are good points, amyrae and metatronblue. How did you find the opportunity to shadow someone? Did you go through a nursing school or contact someone you already knew? I am also considering volunteering for a while to see more of the day to day job.

The family aspect is important to me. In the field I'm in now, there is little possibility of part time or flexible hours to accommodate kids. Or if there is, you are committing to falling behind your peers. Although I know the scheduling can be tough, at least in nursing there are defined shifts and you can say yes or no to more time, as opposed to never feeling like you put in enough time at work, i.e. 10 hours/day plus weekends.

Similar to what you said amyrae, there will be positives and negatives in every job in every field. The question is which job's positives and negatives fit best with your life and personality.

metatronblue · Feb 12, 2003

I am lucky enough to have lots of friends in healthcare, and I also see a Nurse Practitioner instead of a physician as my primary healthcare provider, so I was pretty lucky to find volunteer and shadow opportunities..

If you don't have access through friends or acquaintances, I would call a local hospital and check into volunteering opportunities. Local hospitals and nursing homes are always looking for volunteers! Through volunteering, you will get to know lots of people and will likely meet a few nurse managers that can likely assist in getting you a nurse to shadow.

Good Luck!

bodine · Feb 12, 2003

I initially became interested in the field after several nurses I spoke with who work in hospitals compared the day to day job as very similar to waiting tables in the sense that you have lots of patients ("tables") to manage at one time and you are constnatly juggling, and tryign to move fast and keep everybody happy. i haven't volunteered in a hopsital yet but i plan on doing that as well.

I get bored easily too but I am not that concerned about what will happen if I dont like it. I'll deal with that if I need to. Like you bizzle, soemtimes I think i am so burnt out practicing law that anything else would sound attractive. I also went to a career counselor which really helped me. At the time, I was attracted to both nursing and teaching. She was able to help me identify what it was that was attractive about those jobs and what was not attractive and helped me look at things i've done in the past that i have enjoyed and have meshed with my personality. She was like a career therapist. I feel really confident about my decision after just meeting with once.

SingingNurse2 · Mar 8, 2003

I too am making a career change from business to nursing.

I do have at least some idea what I'm getting into though because I went into nursing school straight out of high school 15 years ago and only left it because I was young and my Mom pressured me so much because she was scared I would get AIDS (back then they didn't know how you got it) and because I got married in the middle of it and was too overwhelmed to handle it.

I have always regretted leaving and know it is what I was meant to do. I am envious every time I see a nurse and have medical programs on my palm pilot that I love to work with. It is just what gives me energy. I took a personality class and one of the things they pointed out was that whatever job you do that gives you more energy than it takes is what you should do. I could read medical articles all day long and love taking care of people. I volunteered at a nursing home in my teenage years and absolutely loved helping them in whatever they needed.

Sorry to ramble on so long, but I'm really excited about finally going back to finish my degree! Good luck to everyone!