Nursing School after Law School to attain a Risk Management position?

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Hello all-

I will be graduating law school in 1 year. 5 years ago I took my nursing school pre-reqs and was 2 weeks away from starting nursing school when I got another criminal conviction. All of my other ones were older so the nursing school was allowing me in, but since I got a new one they said it appeared as if I had not changed and told me I could not start school and to try back in a few years. I got a Bachelor's degree in Economics and am now in law school, just to realize that I really do like the clinical side of things. So, I am thinking I would like to get into risk management. Most Risk Managers had an RN/JD, so I will only be missing the RN part and some work experience in a hospital. The Master's program I am interested in had the A & P classes expiring in 5 years, but some community colleges extent that to 7.

So if I got into a community college after law school, I would be just in time not to have to re-take my A & P courses (which I got "A"s in). My nursing school pre-req GPA is 4.0 and my undergrad is 3.9. In addition, I am in the top 1/3 of my law school. I did not think I wanted anymore schooling, but this profession really feels right. Any advice, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated. (Please do not focus on my criminal record, I know it is a case-by-case basis so there is nothing to be said there). Thank you!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

You have effectively shut down the most salient part of the discussion.

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Specializes in Hospice, Case Mgt., RN Consultant, ICU.

Another criminal conviction? Only the RN part and hospital experience? Just feels right? How would you know? Better to stay with the law.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I believe what my colleagues are gently trying to convey is that a criminal history may derail OP's plan to become a nurse. I wonder -- will this will also cause a snag in OP's plan to sit for the bar exam? FWIW, All of the RN/JDs that I know had the RN first - then either went to law school or did a combo MSN/JD.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I believe what my colleagues are gently trying to convey is that a criminal history may derail OP's plan to become a nurse. I wonder -- will this will also cause a snag in OP's plan to sit for the bar exam? FWIW, All of the RN/JDs that I know had the RN first - then either went to law school or did a combo MSN/JD.

I think, perhaps, the OP already knows this ....

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Specializes in Med/surg, Quality & Risk.
All of the RN/JDs that I know had the RN first - then either went to law school or did a combo MSN/JD.

Hi, I'm Redhead! Now you know one who went to law school first and then nursing school! LOL

But seriously. Our education on this subject re: bar admission was that 1) you were better off disclosing the conviction than lying about it and having them find out, and 2) I know several people who were allowed into the bar with some rather interesting convictions, armed robbery being one of them. (He knew people though.) It really depends on the state.

My experience has been that it's easier to be a lawyer with convictions than it is to get a nursing license with convictions!

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