Regret

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

Lots of people, probably most people, regret things they have done or not done. Taking a poll on that isn't going to help you with your own individual circumstances, needs, and mindset.

If you are the kind of person who enjoys some level of risk, you might want to do it anyway. If you are 100% risk-averse, then ... well, how do you even get out of bed in the morning? Bathrooms and kitchens are the most dangerous rooms in the house. :)

Write down the pros and cons for you in two columns on a piece of paper. Then sit down and look at it.

Good luck with whatever YOU decide.

nichefinder · Jan 25, 2014

Don't CPAs make good living? Why would you get into nursing? Just curious, because if I was a CPA, I would NOT move to nursing.

BlueLightRN · Jan 25, 2014

I'm thinking of doing the opposite. CPAs make way better money and do not have to put up with the mistreatment nurses do.

caliotter3 · Jan 25, 2014

If I had the academic acumen for figures, I would become a CPA. I've thought of it often over the years. I would advise you to consider the nursing route if you are still in your 20's, but much older than that, say, your 40's, no. I would not make the move at that point unless this is really a burning desire. The work world for nurses is just too filled with hidden mines and booby traps to make it worthwhile for an older person who needs to support themselves and/or a family.

kabfighter · Jan 25, 2014

I'll trade you my nursing license for your CPA license.

Nursing isn't as rosy as everyone thinks. Stay with accounting...seriously.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2014

Have you had some vocational counseling? You sound like you're really timid about this decision. Not good. Good luck.

Krzysztof · Jan 25, 2014

I think GrnTea provides great advice up above. I've spent a lot of time on my personal pro/con list, and have decided to go full steam ahead. Nursing will be a second career for me as well; a departure from a very stable and secure comfort zone in which I've done well.

I am looking forward to patient care. But another appealing characteristic of a diploma or degree in nursing is its portability. Let's say you find that bedside nursing (or any other patient-facing work) isn't for you. There are so many opportunities outside of that! Coupled with a financial background, you may be able to use your new clinical knowledge in the informatics or managed care or health care policy arenas. And there are plenty of other applications that escape me right now. My point is... even if it's not what you envisioned, it could still work out very well. That's the frame of mind I'm in right now. It's just a personal angle I wanted to share.

Best of luck in whatever you choose! :cool:

TU RN, DNP, CRNA · Jan 25, 2014

I'm thinking of doing the opposite. CPAs make way better money and do not have to put up with the mistreatment nurses do.

I gave this a very brief look during nursing school. If CPA wasn't such a complete derailment from the education and knowledge-based of nursing (or any health-related field), I might pursue it. A nice steady 9-5 M-F desk job with no holidays, nights, mostly no weekends? Sign me up. However I spent way too much time and effort on science classes and nursing school to throw it away for a completely different career. I'm not head over heels for nursing, but I am not about to watch all that work swirl down the toilet. I sometimes wonder the same thing about others moving towards nursing, but isn't it true that the average person changes careers twice in their life?

Overland1, RN · Jan 26, 2014

From CPA to RN... a rather interesting progression. Being a CPA, you are most likely a logical thinker and a problem solver, both good qualities in a nurse. Granted, there are some major differences when one trades the double-ended pencil for a stethoscope. There will be great personal rewards to be gained from saving a life or at least improving a life. The down side is that illness, injury, and death are a reality that you will deal with every day.

I have always believed that those working in patient care should have some sort of background - not necessarily a major - in business, finance, and economics, just to enhance their knowledge of the large picture. So many nurses unfortunately did not have the opportunity to learn from those experiences that have been a part of your current career.

Should you decide to go for the RN/BSN, it may be something you naturally handle very well. The only way to know with certainty is to just do it. If there were an "observation" available for you to look into, that would help a great deal.

After working as a RN for a while, would you consider an upper management position (CFO/COO/CEO)? Seems like a logical progression. I have worked with hospital CEO's who have included, a surgeon, an accountant, and one who had neither health care nor accounting as a background; they were/are all excellent.

jiggy84 · Jan 26, 2014

hi! have you decided yet ? just remember nursing is a tough job, and going from a CPA, your a top dog to a middle man or so to speak, being pulled in numerous directions. Nursing school is intense and most programs are holistic, you have an assignment of 1-2 pts, after school you have more patients, and it's very different from school.

Also a key point to remember as a new nurse you will most likely work nights 7p-7a or 11p-7a in a hospital. You can probably find a day job at a SNF but patient are usually 16-30 for one nurse.

have you thought of volunteering at a hospital or nursing establishment ? may help your decision.

b_m_prosepct · Jan 26, 2014

An extremely bad decision, in my eyes :-)

Unless you are thinking becoming a CRNA eventually, well, it takes a long way and might not worth the effort.