FSUNurse2b

Very, very good points. I have been making this decision for the past 2 years and even currently (while taking pre-reqs) have minor doubts. It is a MAJOR, MAJOR decision. First and foremost, your spouse has to be on board (100%). And you must have a detailed plan...whatever that my entail. Day care, schedules, cost of going back to school, etc. I actually wanted to proceed with this change over a year ago and ultimately decided against it, for various reason, namely, pay. But how I feel about my job crept back into my life (was difficult to ignore) and so I finally decided to proceed. I contemplated other avenues, but came to the sobering conclusion that, if I'm going to make a change, it's going to be in the direction of nursing. Also, I agree on the BSN thing. At least my wife (a nurse) and sisters (nurses) can attest to that. Like I said, it is a difficult decsion, but I would recommend sitting down with your husband and creating a detailed, concrete plan. For example, we are expecting our first very soon. My wife was able to get a set schedule to work around day-care and my pre-req classes. And I could very well still change my mind. I may have 3 years potentially until I get accepted into an accelerated program, but at the end of the day, I must take this path and apply. I don't want to look back and say, "I wish I would have made the change earlier".

33 yrs. Male. 2nd career changer (in the midst of). Taking pre-reqs right now. Prolly 3 years from now will be in an accelerated BSN program. My wife is a nurse and is a huge encouragement. Don't get me wrong, she has bad days. Really bad days. But, ironically, she still believes in what she does. And likes it. I sit behind a desk, stare at a PC when not meeting with the wealthy and get PAID, but it just doesn't do it for me.

Well said. I hear ya on all the corporate BS. Funny how some are willing to part ways with all that for a lot less money.

Seriously, wow! re: all the responses. Thanks again for all of your input. It was fun reading all the posts, esp. from those who were/are career changers. I'm a big believer in that if one likes the "nature" of their line of work, generally they will be more equipped to deal with all the other "crap" that comes along with the job. In my current profession, when I look through all that crap, I find more crap. Layers of crap. My wife (a nurse) is always telling me that at the end of the day, she feels privileged to be able to take care of people (esp. those who appreciate it...lol). Oh man, she has her fair share of stories of those patients who most definitely do NOT appreciate what she does.

I am 33, with an MBA in finance. I currently work full-time and am taking pre-reqs at a local community college to full-fill requirements to be able to apply to an accelerated BSN program. My wife and I are expecting our first. I hear ya on the "completely bored and not fullfilled" thing. Also, just remember that there are many disgruntled nurses out there, for whatever reason. Many of the nurses who actually like their jobs, are not on this forum. Just keep this in mind when making your decision.

I'm a career changer, so just trying to get an idea of what male nurses like about their job....

Hi, Wow, this is awesome! I am in the midst of a career change from banking to nursing. I'm only now taking certain pre-reqs and then will apply to an accelerated BSN program. Also, I work full-time and my wife is pregnant with our first. Life can be so busy at times! I wholeheartedly agree with Suzie. By staying in the Word, you will find peace of mind. And just remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves. This verse gets me through so much... Ephesians 3:20 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, I pray that you find comfort in the Word as you go through school.

HouTx, Does an MBA carry any weight in the nursing world?

Hi maybelaterRN, You'll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I'm not an RN, (yet). Currently working towards becoming. I think probably the most "appropriate" response would be that you've made a committment to not talk about personal beliefs within the workplace. Lying, of course, wouldn't be appropriate. I suppose you could just be honest and tell them what you believe in, but my take is most of the patients asking if you "believe in Christ", is because it would be reassuring to them that their nurse is also a believer and that might make them feel comfortable or at ease. As the old proverb goes, "Birds of a feather, flock together". I haven't really formulated in my mind, how I will answer questions like that, when I'm a nurse. Personally, I'm a Christian and I would feel very comfortable telling another fellow believer that I too believe in Jesus Christ. BUT, the patient asking might very well be a non-Christian, attempting to find out if if I'm a believer, which might make them feel very uncomfortable. At the end of the day though, I don't think I'll have a problem telling any patient what I believe in, if asked (a few of the jurors are still out on this). My wife's an RN and she, from time to time, get's asked if she's a Christian. She is. And she answers truthfully. Take care.

I do agree with this. The Word is specific on this: 1 Timothy 2:5-7 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a] and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

:) Thank you tnbutterfly.

I was not aware of that thread. Thank you!

Yes, to some, "peace and safety" means the world is becoming a better place. But, what do you think the apostle Paul meant by these words in his letter to the Thessalonians, some 2,000 years ago? "History" says one thing. The Word of God, says another... 1 Thessalonians 5:1-15 5 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Simply, one in which the "tide" is ever so slowly shifting in the other direction, most likely never to return. Some may say the world is becoming a better place, but not so: 2 Timothy 3: 1-9 3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

I completely agree and I totally understand the nature of the workplace. It's just not the place to "wear" our beliefs on our sleeves, if that makes any sense. I commented on this a couple days ago: When I become a nurse, I will be absolutely careful not to tread on ANYONE about what I believe in. If I'm asked, that's a totally different story. So, for all you nurses trying to plant seeds, to help bring people to salvation, be very careful, as you have to feed yourself and your family! For all those passionte about their belief/faith, it's not worth losing a job over, especially with a family to support. The apostle Paul sums this up so wonderfully: 1 Timothy 5:8 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.