Nursing Vs Computer science..

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Hello all,

I guess this is a long post of me ranting more than anything else, but I really would appreciate some advice. I am an LPN. I pretty much did my LPN to become an RN. After waiting a year to get into the LPN-RN program, I am stuck waiting another quarter because my school apparently 'does not have funding' to accept any students this quarter. We were once told our acceptance into the RN program was basically guaranteed, and would be faster if we did the LPN. BUT...acceptance for Winter of 2011 is not guaranteed anymore because they will only have about one spot for every 2 applicants (since acceptance was backed up a quarter). I have 3 measly quarters left to finish my RN. The bad thing is, I cannot find a job as an LPN. I finally landed a paid internship through a friend, which I hope will lead to future employment, but who knows? I've already tested into this program, and even tested out of a class. I would have to take different pre-requisites for most surrounding schools.

I'm 24 already. I have to support myself. My girlfriend is pregnant. I never pictured myself as a 24 year-old trying to finish up an associate's degree. The majority of my friends are finished or finishing up their bachelor's degrees, and some are even in grad school already. It doesn't feel good saying "I'm at the local community college," when I see people that I went to high school with. Hard pill to swallow as an ambitious male. AND..who even knows if there will be jobs for ASN new grads by the time I'm a new-grad RN. I guess part of life is learning to live with your decisions..and reacting to your circumstances accordingly.

Here's my plan: I think I'm going to apply for this RN program ONE more time.. for the time being. I'm tired of letting a program full of females on a power-trip (who are also more into nursing school politics than they are education) control the outcome of my life. I WILL finish my RN, but for now I feel like I need to stay proactive. SO.. I'm also going to apply for transfer at one of our local universities. I'm thinking my new major will be Computer Science/engineering. I think an IT job would probably fit my personality a little better anyways(I'm naturally more intuitive and aggressive than I am compassionate). I'm ALSO thinking..an RN degree with a computer science degree could possibly be pretty marketable in a hospital sometime down the line?

I dunno..I feel like an underachiever who is not contributing my fair share to society. I just want to start my life already, and I definitely feel a little better after writing this..

If you actually read this far thank you! Any advice is appreciated..

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Good luck getting an IT job. But getting both an RN license and a degree in IT would come in useful if you decide to go into nursing informatics. Check it out.

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24 is not old, and personally I don't think there is any such thing as being "behind". I'm 30 and I'm just starting my first degree this fall. The class is full of people my age and older. Sure, some people go straight through and have their bachelor's at 24, but that doesn't mean a thing.

Do what makes you happy!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I have a buddy who works in IT, and a buddy who works in software engineering. They make it seem like there are plenty of jobs if you have your certifications or an internship. I was told worst-case scenario you're stuck working as a data analyst with individuals who have AS degrees. A new grad salary obviously wouldn't compare to a nurses, but mid-career salary is > than a nursing salary by far (This statement obviously does not apply to CRNAs).

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i'm 24 already. i have to support myself. my girlfriend is pregnant. i never pictured myself as a 24 year-old trying to finish up an associate's degree. the majority of my friends are finished or finishing up their bachelor's degrees, and some are even in grad school already. it doesn't feel good saying "i'm at the local community college," when i see people that i went to high school with. hard pill to swallow as an ambitious male. and..who even knows if there will be jobs for asn new grads by the time i'm a new-grad rn. i guess part of life is learning to live with your decisions..and reacting to your circumstances accordingly.

i know how you feel here, believe me! i'm 24 as well and newly married. my husband has been supporting us for the past 2 years. i have been unable to find employment. we are both in college, me-nursing, him-culinary arts. we have so much debt that we are filing for bankruptcy in 2 months. i have many friends who already have their master's or are pursuing their master's. one friend went to harvard, one studied in germany, and one is getting her master's in london. i have a "friend" who likes to rub it in how much she makes and her husband has a business/it type of degree. but, many of these people who graduated high school with me don't have jobs or they don't have jobs in their field they studied. i have that "failure" feeling quite often. i was depressed for quite a few months over it. the way i'm looking at it, i'll be 31 when i get my master's. i am going straight through school because i want to have children, but know that if i ever want to complete my education, children must wait.

i can't keep looking at my past and wishing i did this or that. doing that gets me nowhere, fast. i am proud of the fact that i am in school and i am proud of my husband. i am not ashamed that i am in school now. just because someone finished school before you does not make them a better person.

i'm thinking my new major will be computer science/engineering. i think an it job would probably fit my personality a little better anyways(i'm naturally more intuitive and aggressive than i am compassionate). i'm also thinking..an rn degree with a computer science degree could possibly be pretty marketable in a hospital sometime down the line?

so do you really want to be an rn? if an it job fits your personality better, why not just stick with it? many of them do make good money also and their are certifications and such that can advance you even farther. my school has some new degree program that focuses engineering with "green" technology. you have to do what you want. that is it. don't go for it if that is not what you really want. you have to pay back those loans. is it really worth the extra debt?

i dunno..i feel like an underachiever who is not contributing my fair share to society. i just want to start my life already, and i definitely feel a little better after writing this..

you are not an underachiever.

your life has started. you have to live your life as it is today. sure, it's not what you would have hoped it would be, but make the best of it. you have to be proud of the accomplishments you have made so far. society puts so much pressure on men to care for their family and you need to understand that you are doing your best to care for your family, and that is all that matters.

if you actually read this far thank you! any advice is appreciated..

tomorrow is never promised so enjoy what you do have today.

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I have a buddy who works in IT, and a buddy who works in software engineering. They make it seem like there are plenty of jobs if you have your certifications or an internship. I was told worst-case scenario you're stuck working as a data analyst with individuals who have AS degrees. A new grad salary obviously wouldn't compare to a nurses, but mid-career salary is > than a nursing salary by far (This statement obviously does not apply to CRNAs).

Employment is slim in every field in this economy which is why career choices should not be based on current employment opportunities alone.

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I know how the OP feels about starting his life already. I feel like I am stuck in limbo because I have to base everything on "if I get into a nursing program." My current university is very competitive but if I don't get in for Fall 2011, I have to move on and do something else...maybe OT or something where I can still contribute and help others.

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

I'm a 40 year old IT Developer/DBA Access and Oracle 9i. I'm transitioning to nursing for one very simple fact. You can't outsource sick people. Sticking a ill person on a plane and shipping overseas is cost prohibitive. Not so with software development.

Quite simply IT jobs are getting outsourced left and right. There is no mandate to hire only certified people, no pesky license, and no union to speak of(there is a guild).

Good luck with your decision.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Quite simply IT jobs are getting outsourced left and right. There is no mandate to hire only certified people, no pesky license, and no union to speak of(there is a guild).

Good luck with your decision.

I hear that. It seems like everything is getting outsourced, which is partially why I chose nursing in the first place. Any major that's not healthcare related quite honestly scares me because it's very likely that you won't even work within that field. Even with the way healthcare is right now, it seems like nothing is really all that stable. Is there any field in the computer industry that seems SOMEWHAT secure?

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my initial thoughts about your situation begin with the fact you've earned LPN certification and will likely make as much or more as an LPN as you would starting out in IT, and most likely you make more as an LPN. Personally, I think a BSN is more promising than a computer science degree unless you get a project management gig with a big firm or something like that (difficult to come by, typically need years of experience, my best friend had to do an unpleasant job for 7 years with a computer science degree before he became a project manager).

IT, like nursing, isn't cut out for everyone and has a fair amount of turnover, consider that before spending more money on school. Just trying to advise from a practical perspective, not an emotional perspective. At the end of the day do what makes you happy.

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Specializes in Global Health Informatics, MNCH.

I have a bachelors in CS and I worked for 8 years before getting my nursing degree. Now I do nursing informatics research. I think the two degrees complement each other well and I have had a lot of great job opportunities. However, what I think is essential is that I have work experience. I wouldn't recommend switching from one field to the other or trying to combine the two before getting work experience. Have you tried applying for jobs at a community health center or public health organization, they usually have more LPNs then RNs? Public health informatics is a growing field, if you got a job in community health and did a bachelors in computer science part-time while you worked you would gain experience while still moving forward with your degree.

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Health informatics of some sort (nursing, public health, etc.) sounds like it could be a terrific option for you. You could also try health information management if you're looking for something with excellent career prospects that's along somewhat similar lines. I imagine many of your classes would transfer into such a program, depending on where you go (I have to take many of my classes with my university's nursing students - A&P I & II, Human Pathophysiology, medical ethics, etc.), so you might not be as far behind as you could be switching to a straight CS program.

There are many state universities that offer bachelor's programs in HIM. If you're interested and would like a little more information, here's a link to the American Health Information Management Association's website: www.ahima.org You can also just google health information management and come up with a lot of decent information about the field. For information on accredited programs, check the website of the Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management programs (CAHIIM). Here's a direct link to the commission's search option: http://www.cahiim.org/accredpgms.asp

I understand how you feel. I'm in my early 30s and I'm transitioning to a new career; sometimes I feel as though school will never end! If you truly feel your calling is nursing, stick it out; by the time you're done, prospects may well improve. If not, try to find a career path that makes use of both your interest areas AND utilizes the work you've already put into your nursing program. Best of luck to you!

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