Nursing or stay with job in Finance, ADVICE!!

MedSurgeMess · Oct 28, 2009

right now is not a good time to be going into nursing, just look at all of the posts of new grads, as well as experienced RNs, who are looking for work, and not finding much. I'd hold out as long as I could, because at least you do have a steady job right now. When things pick up, review your options then. Also, the same things that you say about your coworkers that turn you off in your current job exists in all other careers, nursing included. You're 22, take your time and think it through.....

DSantosNJ · Oct 28, 2009

I will spend some more time thinking it over... where are you located? wouldn't that come in to play for job openings?

Dara

MedSurgeMess · Oct 28, 2009

where are you located? wouldn't that come in to play for job openings?
Dara

right now, it's the case everywhere-just read the threads on this board. Most places that are hiring are wanting only experienced nurses. Take time and read the threads and you'll see that this is the case. Just a warning, not a discouragement.....

BlondieNH · Oct 28, 2009

I too work for the same employer as you however I am a nurse. I would think that you are on the right track for a nursing career. If you can get them to pay for your education you're halfway there. Think long term..., the benefits far outway those in the public and you will find many opportunities to choose from to where you can transfer to for a better location. I'll keep my five weeks paid vacation every year thank you very much. You can get alot of great experience in many VA facilities with specialties to choose from. It's not always easy work if that's what you're looking for. The patients are not always warm and fuzzy either. I would consider it very carefully. Sometimes you have to take the bad with the good in life. As far as I'm concerned, there is no perfect place to work. You need to discover for yourself what are the key components you are interested in? A competetive salary? Benefits? The job duties entailed? Good luck in your decision. The very best to you.

bsn2013 · Oct 28, 2009

I am in a similar situation. I have a decent job in the financial industry as an administrative assistant. The company I work for has amazing benefits, and my fellow employees are great. However, this is not my passion. I have really been struggling to decide if it is worth leaving my flexible Monday-Friday 8-5 position for all of the horrors new grad Rns seem to be experiencing.

Luckily for me, the community college in my town is about to launch a part time ADN program, with online lectures and labs and clinicals clustered on the weekends. I think I may have to take that route, so I can keep my current job through nursing school and until I am offered an RN position after I graduate. Are there any part time programs near you?

IzzyKat23 · Oct 28, 2009

OMG! That was my life!!! eerily similar. The wall of the cube were closing in on me and I could not stand the fact that there people there for a life time with degrees hanging on there cube wall and I had none and they had topped out at the departments pay (what did that leave me in a few years?!?! :eek: ) I tried very hard to like it at the corporation...I got a mentor, I job shadowed, joined clubs, took classes in econ, business and accounting (which has now benefited me toward my BSN) But try as I might I could not see myself anywhere in that company. I could not see myself wearing the heels and the fabulous suits everyday to simply make people miserable while I was tied to a desk. I realized I wanted to be a nurse through very personal life experiences. I talked it over with my Mister and I took a leap. Since then my life has changed drastically. I am not a glam office chick, I am more of a schleppy college student I gave up my 401K, my fab benefits, pension and security and brand new house in the burbs. I now live a much more modest life in the country, take very few trips to the dry cleaners, and my Mister had to take a close his own business for the time and work for someone else to get benefits while I am a full time student. It is hard but I would not change it for anything. I look at every day as an adventure. The freedom I feel not going into the corporation is amazing. I know I am on the right path. Besides, if I cannot handle drastic changes and a bit of struggle then how could I expect to handle nursing.

I am 30 and been married for 8.5yrs (no kids) but you are younger and I am not sure what your living, financial situation is. Maybe you can work part-time and go to school. That was not an option for me as my employer did not offer part time. I will tell you though that after 8yrs in a cube if your heart is not in it get out. Maybe consider taking a CNA course (these are usually very easey to work around a full time schedule) at night/day first before you make a leap to decide if nursing is what you want to do. This will also give you another job to have if you need one in the nursing field and I know a lot of nursing schools are now require that you have it anyway. It is all about what works for you and covering all your bases or at least most of them before you make any changes.

I wish you the best!

DSantosNJ · Oct 30, 2009

Are there any part time programs near you?

Yes, I have made the final decision... I will be applying this February for a Spring 2011 start in the local nursing program. (Burlington County College - NJ)

Thanks for all the advice!

DSantosNJ · Oct 30, 2009

I too work for the same employer as you however I am a nurse. I would think that you are on the right track for a nursing career. the benefits far outway those in the public and you will find many opportunities to choose from to where you can transfer to for a better location. I'll keep my five weeks paid vacation every year thank you very much. You can get alot of great experience in many VA facilities with specialties to choose from.

Thank you so much for the VA perspective. I would have great opportunities at the Philadelphia VAMC, I am at the Philly VAROIC right now.

Thanks for your help , and I hope to soon be an RN with the Government too!

Dara

BlondieNH · Oct 30, 2009

Good luck to you DSantosNJ! May you find many open doors of opportunity as you persue your career!

86toronado, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

To both of you who are considering changing careers to nursing:

Consider the advice of the poster above who suggested a CNA course. If you've only ever worked in an office setting, Monday through Friday, 8-5, try and take the time to familiarize yourself with the hospital environment before you make your final decision.

For me, I found out that life in the hospital can be messy, chaotic, disorganized, and just plain insane a lot of the time. And that's just at the nurse's station! When you head into the patient's rooms, you realize that it can also be smelly, emotionally charged, and physically and verbally abusive. That said, I loved it. It was just what I was looking for. But I realize it's not what everyone is looking for, and you should take the time to find out for yourself if it's for you before you make such a life altering decision.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2009

Do you currently work M-F, 8 hour shifts? No nights, weekends, or holidays?

If that is the case you need to be aware that the majority of new grad jobs require nights, weekends, and holidays and there are many that may look like 8 hour shifts that can turn into 9 or 10 hours and 12 hour shifts are becoming more of the norm(and can be 12 or more hours long).

Also, jobs for even seasoned nurses are difficult at this time.