Nursing as a second career

star0910 · Feb 17, 2004

I dont know how much help I'm gonna be.... I'm switching to nursing from Inerior Design. I woke up one morning and hated design. Ive always wanted to help people, and not by telling them what colors they should put in their house. I have 2 classes left with this program and as soon as thats done, its off to nursing school. Im only 20 and have already changed my mind once, and I dont think I will ever do it again. Good luck!!!!!

What are you switching from?

Andrea

ninas · Feb 17, 2004

I dont know how much help I'm gonna be.... I'm switching to nursing from Inerior Design. I woke up one morning and hated design. Ive always wanted to help people, and not by telling them what colors they should put in their house. I have 2 classes left with this program and as soon as thats done, its off to nursing school. Im only 20 and have already changed my mind once, and I dont think I will ever do it again. Good luck!!!!!
What are you switching from?
Andrea

Actually, I'm not in nursing at all. I'm writing an article for a nursing publication about nursing as a second career and why some people decide to change careers and go in that direction.

Nina

manna, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2004

I don't know if I'm an average career switcher, since I do not yet hold a college degree. I've been working in a technical-clerical field for the past 6 years, and am hoping to get into nursing school this fall (if all goes as planned, I'll be 30 when I graduate).

I've always been fascinated by medicine, healthcare, hospitals, the human body... my original plan was to go into medicine and become a doctor, but after two kids and reality set in, I realized that wasn't a reasonable goal (I do not have any desire to "sacrifice" my children for my career).

Stitchie · Feb 17, 2004

I worked as an admin assistant in a variety of industries -- eventually moving from securities and brokerage to a company that ran clinical drug trials and getting into health care. I became interested in health care thru my experiences with the clinical people. I started back in school at around age 34; it took me three years to complete w/ prereqs. I was of average age (or a bit above) for my graduating class.

It didn't help that I was a lousy assistant type person! :chuckle

SavageWist · Feb 18, 2004

i was a prison guard for 10 years and then a truck driver for several years. i had a surgery with complications stayed in the hospital 21 days then developed staf infection back in the hospital 4 more weeks. i had very good nurses durning my stay and as we became friends i decided nursing would be for me. been a nurse every since and love it.

Harleyhead · Feb 18, 2004

I was in the Navy for 20 years then worked in medical supply for 5 years. Became an RN at age 46.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 18, 2004

I too was in the Navy for 2 years, and then did 8 years in public affairs before becoming an LPN at 33, RN at 35, BSN at 45, and MSN at 47 (God willing).

majicalblue · Feb 19, 2004

I switched from child care. I got a degree in it and everything. I realized after 5 years that it was a dead end job, and how I really liked looking into things. I finally went for my CNA certificate, and loved it. At my CNA graduation my instructor told me that I would make a great nurse. Well 1 year later I applied to the program, got accepted and absolutely love it. I'm working in a hospital right now and can't wait to be an RN.

tylerlvn · Feb 19, 2004

I worked for 11 years as a quality assurance auditor for a company that manufactured medical devices. I always have loved working with people and I am really enjoying nursing school. ( It is harder than I ever dreamed though!)

MryRose · Feb 19, 2004

I am not yet a nurse... but I can tell you how I came to the decision to become a nurse.

I've wanted to be a nurse since I was in the 5th grade and read a book about Cherry Ames Student Nurse! I am 42 so that was quite a ways back lol.

However when I got into high school we lived 1 1/2 hours from school ONE WAY! Due to the long hours on the bus, I was so tired of doing "School" all day that I didn't want to study when I got home (no you couldn't study in a bus of loud kids and loud music) so my grades in math and Science fell behind. I just felt like I never would be able to accomplish this goal with my lack of advanced math and science skills and left my dream behind.

I did eventually go to a technical school back in the 80's and learned computetr proigramming..... why I didn't go for the nursing then is beyond me!!!

Fast forward thru my life I have been successful as a Computer Programmer, Realtor, Medical Biller, Admin Assistant and Artist. But I never felt completely fulfilled. When my youngest son graduated from college last summer, I decided to take some classes at our local adult school. One was "Medical Math" and I just couldn't resist the temptation. I originally thought I would get my LVN and then go for the RN later... but as it worked out I decided just to go for the RN. This was after I found out that medical math is easy!! I've been successful in Biology ... another hesitation for me... and took a CNA class last summer. I LOVED working with the Residents!

So here I am.... in my second semester of pre-req's.... I should be eligible for the Fall of 2005 Nursing School classes. I'm Praying there will be an opening for me when I get there. It's a lottery system so it may take me 2 1/2 years at the max to get drawn.... but I WILL become a nurse!

MaryRose

nrse2B2005 · Jan 12, 2005

I'd like to hear from those who have chosen nursing as second career and why. What did you do first? What made you switch careers and how old were you when you did this?

I made the switch to nursing when I was 31 years old. I was the district environmental health and safety manager for Waste Management, LA Metro. I was tired of working 70 hour workweeks, being on call all of the time, and being paid a salary which seemed big at first until all of the hours were factored in. I also have a husband and a son. I have two BAs and initially wanted to be a dr. but could not pass physics. I love medicine and nursing comes very naturally to me (though I am still a student). Lots of people choose it as a second career.

Good luck,

andrea