Thinking about going into nursing but...

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2018

I love what I do, but it can be both physically and mentally exhausting. I did my research before applying to nursing school. I perused these forums, I bought books written by nurses about their profession, and I talked with my sister (who is also a nurse). This was a second career as well, I was 33 when I started school, and I have never regretted that decision.

Nursing school is difficult, and we can tell you that, but only experience will make you understand. You have to go in with the mentality that you can take it, you'll have to rearrange your priorities to focus on school, but it can be accomplished.

Try taking some pre-req's like Anatomy and Physiology, and focus on obtaining an A. One class isn't going to disrupt your routine too much, but it is a good idea of much information can be crammed into a single semester. Learn it, own it, and ace it. If that one class seems too much for you, nursing school may not be the route you want to go.

You will have variety in your work weeks, and sometimes even days depending on where you land your first nursing job. You'll have to critically think, analyze, and be able to teach difficult concepts in simple terms.

Do some research and take that first anatomy and physiology class. Do so at a community college where the cost is minimal. Then decide what you want to do. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

GidgetRN, RN · Jun 5, 2018

Hey everyone,
I have been thinking about switching careers and going into nursing. I am 37 and have a masters in accounting. I've been working in a cube in corporate America since about the age of 23 and I absolutely hate it. I hate what I do, I hate the seeing the same people every day, just all of it!
I've been lurking on this forum and it has me second guessing myself about the switch. Most of the posts are leading me to believe that it is miserable and hard to find work. Does anyone absolutely love what they do? I would like to work in a hospital as an ER nurse or maybe maternity. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi Honeybee2486, May I recommend doing some kind of volunteer or part time job in a hospital or clinic? You certainly could volunteer for a community clinic or hospital. It would help give you the feel of what our world is like. It would also look good on your resume after nursing school. Good luck!

peachy512, RN · Jun 5, 2018

I've been a CNA for 2 years and just graduated nursing school last month, starting in L&D in July. This is a career change for me as well. I've worked on a busy med/surg floor but am lucky to have an amazing team. I absolutely LOVE what I do! You'll get ungrateful patients and families, but you'll also get the ones who are so incredibly grateful for every little thing you do. Out of all the days I've worked, I have maybe 3 or 4 days that were just miserable, but never caused me to hate my job at all.

Objectively, it isn't the easiest. You can get disrespect from other members of the care team in addition to patients, you might end up with a rough assignment, you might have to work weekends/nights/holidays (especially in the hospital), you'll have someone not make it, you'll make a mistake that you shouldn't have (we've all done it), you'll put in 15k+ steps in a day, you grab some crackers from the nutrition room when you're too busy to sit down for a real lunch, you'll care for a 700lb patient or someone with a raging GI bleed. But honestly, none of that has taken away from the innumerable positives I've encountered in this field. I love making a difference in even just one person's life, I love knowing that what I do matters, I love being there for others when they're at their most vulnerable, I love seeing pictures of my patients' pets and sharing them pictures of mine, I love being able to really get to know my patients if I have them 3 days in a row, I love that I can work anywhere in the country, I love that the pay (in my area) is decent, and I love that every day is different. A lot of it depends on having a good team and manager, though, and the hospital that I work at has quite a few great ones. I got lucky!

You're always gonna have Negative Nancy's in ANY profession and on any unit. If it's something that's pulling at you and not getting out of your head, I say check it out. I had classmates who were in their 50s who came back to school and were so happy they did! You'll never know until you try. :)

Honeybee2486 · Jun 5, 2018

Thanks for the replies. Do you think it would be worth it do complete my associates at a community college first then go for bachelors or try to get into an accelerated bsn program since I already have a degree? Is there work for nurses that only have their associates? Are the job prospects way different?

FeliciaRNCPN · Jun 5, 2018

I absolutely love being a nurse. I think I'm quite lucky to have not looked too far into before I decided to go to nursing school. I'm sure I would have been discouraged with how hard school is and the trouble of finding my first job. I ended working in a peds office for my first job for three years and made a switch to a neuro/med-surg/tele unit. Its fast paced and stressful but I couldn't be happier. If you think its a good fit for you go for it! You have so many job options as a nurse, so many choices!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2018

Thanks for the replies. Do you think it would be worth it do complete my associates at a community college first then go for bachelors or try to get into an accelerated bsn program since I already have a degree? Is there work for nurses that only have their associates? Are the job prospects way different?

Depends on where you live and what you want to do. Some areas of the country, jobs are plentiful for ADN grads. Other areas, coveted hospital positions are BSN only.

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2018

Nursing is something new and different every day, you learn something new every day, sometimes every patient. It keeps you in your toes! Today I heard the most interesting lung sounds on a CF patient, I was excited all afternoon- I know- it's the little things. I love what I do, wish I'd done it sooner, absolutely no regrets. That first year it's hard to get a job in many areas. After you are able to ditch that NEW GRAD neon sign, it's a different story. Probably not likely that you'll get to go straight into a specialty, but it happens! Good luck!

KeepinitrealCCRN · Jun 9, 2018

I love my job too! I loved both SICU and CTICU, really enjoy most of my coworkers at both hospitals, had some great managers. There are times when nursing can be monotonous but every day is different and you will see different people and be challenged all the time.

Since you have a masters degree you should take your pre-reqs at a community college and make sure you get As and to see if this is something you really want to do and then apply to an accelerated BSN program. You will need your BSN to work in a hospital and you shouldn't have trouble finding a job. After your first year or so you will be able to find a job in any hospital in any department, at least thats how it is in my area.

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2018

Find out if your community college has an agreement with a state school for an integrated BSN. In California, most if not all community colleges have agreements with the closest CSU. The BSN is mostly online, but is from a respected program, and you'll save a lot of money! There is nothing in the wrong with getting your ADN at a community college! But getting your BSN may be a necessity in your area as well, or may give you a leg up. At this point, just get into a good program with a high pass rate!

Honeybee2486 · Jun 9, 2018

Thank you all for your comments! I'm going take the plunge. I'm going to get my ADN at my community college then BSN at the university. Do you think I will be able to find work with just my ADN or should I stick with my job until I finish my bsn. Thanks again!!

verene, MSN · Jun 9, 2018

Thank you all for your comments! I'm going take the plunge. I'm going to get my ADN at my community college then BSN at the university. Do you think I will be able to find work with just my ADN or should I stick with my job until I finish my bsn. Thanks again!!

Check out the job listings in your local area to see who is being hired where. If the hospital jobs all say "BSN required" or "BSN preferred" it may be more difficult to get that first job with an ADN. Which doesn't mean that there aren't jobs out there - just that you may have to start in LTC or another area outside the hospital while working on a BSN. This is pretty typical in larger metro areas with multiple nursing programs. In more rural areas of the country or in areas with fewer nursing programs the job market tends to be much less saturated and ADNs have their pick of jobs as well.

AngelKissed857, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2018

If you live in California or New York, you'll probably need a BSN asap. But I got my first 2 jobs in one of the most competitive parts of California with an ADN, not in LTC, while I finished my BSN. You just need to worry about getting accepted into an ADN. You'll find work while finishing your BSN. One step at a time.