Question for career changers

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Hi everyone - I'm considering going back to school for nursing and I have a question for all of you who already had a previous degree and went back to school for nursing or are in the process. (I'm a little concerned to have homework again and tests to study for since it's been 10 years since I've had to do that.)

If you knew that nursing was for you, did you find nursing school interesting and kind of fun? If someone told me I had to go back to school for what I'm in right now I'd pass out from boredom but now that I know that I want to be a nurse I'm actually looking forward to school. I've heard it's soooooooooooooooo difficult and I'm just wondering if you career changers thought it was worth it and not so bad during the process???

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No doubt about it you will have to study hard. It sounds as though you have the drive and motivation so go for it! I got my LPN in 84 and my BSN in 89. I then went to law school after being out of school for over 10 years. I worked my butt off but did complete the program. Once I get my law license (have failed the bar a couple of times but will continue to take it until I succeed!) I hope to get a MSN and/or MPH. The loans are killing me but I love to learn and being in an academic environment is one of my first loves! Good luck to you!

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Snappy,

I'm just wondering what your plans are with the law degree plus a MSN / MPH - I have a MBA currently looking at a law degree (may be). We'll see.

This is a neat conversation to see those who want to enter nursing and those of us who are either wanting to leave nursing in search of their second career or branch out from nursing.

Ginger

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interesting forum--personally ia m looking to branch out. i know that paying your dues is a common saying in nursing and i have had previous hosp. experience but the situations i am put in the patient ratios along with high acuity working nights? i worked very hard for something that i have to say in all my jobs and years of experience i have never disliked an employment situation more than floor nursing at my current facility. i am so disappointed but lately i cannot fathom why anyone would work under conditions that most hospital nurses work in.

im at a crossroads--how can i truly be good for patients if ia m exhausted depressed from my shift work and cry going to and from work? i am too old to simply dismiss this as growing pains this is ridiculous1

anyone else have similar experiences? or is it worse for career changer nurses?

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interesting forum--personally ia m looking to branch out. i know that paying your dues is a common saying in nursing and i have had previous hosp. experience but the situations i am put in the patient ratios along with high acuity working nights? i worked very hard for something that i have to say in all my jobs and years of experience i have never disliked an employment situation more than floor nursing at my current facility. i am so disappointed but lately i cannot fathom why anyone would work under conditions that most hospital nurses work in.

im at a crossroads--how can i truly be good for patients if ia m exhausted depressed from my shift work and cry going to and from work? i am too old to simply dismiss this as growing pains this is ridiculous1

anyone else have similar experiences? or is it worse for career changer nurses?

I think in a way it *is* worse for 'career-changer' nurses. Having worked in other fields (aka the 'real world'), we have the ability to see how ridiculous nursing can be. However, I still love it *but* I left a stressful floor job only after 6 mos to find something better. I work in an occupational health clinic now w/more decent hours and w/o the hospital stress. I admit, though, that I love hospital nursing, just not the way it's managed these days, and am returning as a prn mental health nurse (not med/surg but still in a hospital).

To the OP: I loved nursing school, but it's tough. I studied all the time (basically sacrificed my kids) and had good grades to show for it. I also made sure I was actually learning the stuff, so when I became a nurse, I knew somewhat what was going. You're never prepared. It's been said that graduating from nursing school simply earns you the license to really start learning.

My nursing program was stressful because there was little to no flexibility. You did what they told you to do when you're supposed to do it. Do not miss clinicals, do not miss deadlines, do not mess up paperwork. (I did and had to repeat 40 hrs of my preceptor rotation. I was very angry but sucked it up because I knew it was a no-win situation for me. I still was recognized as the student of the year and learned a lot from that experience -- like how unfair nursing school can be. The instructor was also at fault in my situation.)

But in the end, yes, it was worth it and I love being a nurse. It's what I was called to do late in life and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

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