Any other "second career" students out there?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Are there any other second career students out there? Or older students? I am attending nursing school after an 18 year career in I/T Learning and Development and I'd like to hear about the experiences and challenges of others in the same situation. How about getting into a nursing program - wait lists and such for those of us with little time to waste and balancing finances and families?

I am 34 and am quitting my jobs as in insurance producer in January to start my pre-req's. My Boss wanted to sell the business to me when he retires in 2 years which would have netted me an income of around $70,000/yr. but I don't want to be in insurance for the rest of my life. My husband thinks I am nuts for passing up the opportunity to by the agency so he is quitting his job in January and taking over my job and buying the business when my boss retires! Major changes in my household come January...LOL!

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I'm 29 and currently a SAHM (to a 3 and 1 year old) and a pre-nursing student. Prior to becoming a SAHM, I worked as a Social Worker for Child Protective Services. I was just accepted into a BSN program which will start up in April 2006. Right now I'm finishing up on A&P I, will start A&P II right after, followed by Microbiology. After that, I'll start the nursing core classes. So exciting!

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I'm 46 and in my first year of nursing school, after being an accountant for 25 years. Very happy I decided to do this.

Chrisg, you might share a little bit details about pros and cons of changing from accounting to nursing? I've barely in accounting field for 3 years, after getting a BA in accounting. I am taking pre-reqs part-time now (already finished chemistry, with A&P I on the way). I still cannot make my final decision to change the career.

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Howdee .. I am Karen, 42 .. and am starting into nursing after getting my B.Ed. right after high school (planned to go on to grad school to take Speech Pathology). I have worked as a church secretary part time, web design and camp director (and I guess I should say, most importantly, a mom).

I recently put the year-round aspect of the camp directing on hold and decided to go into nursing. My mom is also an OT and I think I always knew I should be in the medical field somewhere. I think nursing is a good fit for me but I still am not sure of where exactly my niche will be in the field. It is all very exciting, though, and I am enjoying school!!

I look forward to talking with you all more!!

Hey, oh_wow, my birthday is coming up too! We are almost bday buddies!

Happy Birthday to you, too!

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Yep, my circumstance is similar. I was in IT too. Several years ago, our division was disolved - overseas labor scooped up my job. My family and I were actually relieved. No more extensive travel. No more 70 hour work weeks. No longer shackled to a laptop and a phone line, I reprioritized my life. People first, machines last. Now, I'm working on my feet rather than sitting on my ass eyes glazed over forcing myself through another line of code, 'making a difference' in the lives of others who really seem to appreciate me. What an awesome priviledge I've found it to be. I only wish I could have found it sooner but, I know that because of my experiences I bring a wider perspective to my practice and hope my patients and coworkers benefit. I look forward to work and feel my contribution is indeed worthwhile. Instead of enriching the bottom line, I'm enriching the lives of my patients, family and self. Rock on! Career change is the bomb!

Wow - amen to you! I know exactly how you feel and couldn't have articulated better!!

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I am so happy to hear of other "older" students! Sometimes sitting in class at college I feel so out of place because everyone is so young! I'm 41 & just starting my pre-reqs. It seems such a long road yet to take, but i'll just take it one step at a time. I'm an executive secretary at a hospital right now & the hospital's tuition reimbursement is wonderful. They pay for all my classes PLUS books so I couldn't pass it up. I've been thinking about becoming a nurse for awhile now. Good Luck to everyone out there starting a second career like me! Not sure what will happen when I get into the actual nursing program part of it because I think I'll always have to work, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Good for you - and such an advantage, working in the health industry already and having the benefit of tuition reimbursement! Best of luck!

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Happy Birthday to you, too!
Ooooooo today's the day!! Happy birthday!!!!!!!!! Do you have big plans? Hope it has been great! :balloons:
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I am changing careers after over 20 years in IT. It is a challenge. A whole new way of thinking and learning. It does prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

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Second career change, more like fourth or fifth for me. I started my career in the AF as an Avionics Specialist fixing the electronics on F-111's, F-16's, A-10's and the Stealth fighter planes. While in I got my AS in Avionics technology followed by a BS in Industrial Technology. Got out of the AF and worked as an industrial mechanic/electrician for M&M Mars, got tired of being dirty all the time so I went to work at Social Security processing all the cases for the Welfare Reform Act. Got tired of being called every kind of name everyday and became a REaltor. After about a year of that I had my baby girl and worked at home as an insurance transcriptionist for 4.5 years, when I re-evaluated my life to see what I wanted to be when I grew up. Turns out all the influential people in my life have been nurses (three of my aunts and my family's oldest closest friend) so I started this long road a year and a half ago. Right now I've got all my pre-req's done, and am finishing my co-req's this semester, just waiting for a spot to get in. Our community colleges do a lottery system, and I wasn't lucky enough to get a good number (my 3.8 GPA made no difference in anything). I think nursing is going to be a good fit for me and my family. I loved working with people while I was getting my CNA, loved making a difference in people's lives.

Keli

Mother of 6, turning 40 in December

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Yup! I am an engineer with an MS in math. Some days I feel really silly to be throwing it all away just to start over with an ADN. But it will all be worth it. If I have to work, it has to be something I am passionate about. That was a life lesson for sure!

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Is it best for a career changer to go for ADN or BSN? I have a BBA in IT and coursework towards an MBA. I cant work in IT any longer

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I'm 36 and have been in IT for 10 years, i think. Last few have been moderately unpleasant. My mom is a CNM and suggested i do nursing long ago and i decided to look into it. I am still in IT but i am taking my pre-reqs and hope to get in sometime in '06. Looks like there is a pretty serious "over 30" crowd. That's great.

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