I'm in such a dilemma... 4 years ago, when I was about to decide which majors I wanted to take in university (UC), I had two choices,they were political science and nursing. I chose political science with the intent to go into law school for environmental law. After two years in university, I decided that law school wasn't for me. I also got a minor in Environmental Systems by the way.
Fast forward 4 years to 2009. Whilie in university, I was working in the environmental field and still am right now. I now have 4 years experience working in the environmental/safety field. Working in a Navy installation (civilian contractor), making decent money ($50K-60K/yr range) and enjoying the single life.
Since last summer though, I made the decision to start taking all the pre-requisites to apply to nursing school. Not too toot my owh horn by I am doing pretty good too. All As except one B.
Now I'm in a dilemma deciding if I will continue with my pursuit of a nursing degree. I actually have it all planned out. I was thinking of applying to entry level master's program to 5 CSUs and two JCs as back up plans. I will be finished with all the prerequisites at 7 schools this fall.
Also, I will probably have enough money saved up to pay for half if not most of all the tuition needs of an ELMPs at the CSU level.
NOW IF YOU WERE ME, WOULD YOU PUSH WITH THIS PLAN IF YOU WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS I AM AFTER CONSIDERING ALL FACTORS SUCH AS ECONOMIC AND JOB OUTLOOK.
Hmmm, I kinda did what you did, but I used to make software for +5 years and made quite a bit of money. But, IT has a little more instability than your current job.
I was recently blessed with an internship in the ICU. All of the New Grads who got this job had prior Bachelors/Professional Careers, besides the valedictorian at my school - but this was also a second career for her. Although we all received our ADNs. I would say to get you BSN at least, because its far more school to get your ADN tand RN to BSN than just your BSN.
If you ever want to live/practice in another country I would carefully consider going straight for the Master RN program cuz some countries dont recognize it, even if you have an RN. Dunno why. Also, of course it's most likely way more expensive?
Since you seem to be not so sure, there are part-time programs out there that take 3 years for the BSN. (UTMD in Galveston Tx used to have one) . So you can possibly continue your job AND go to school.
Or of course there is 1 year Accelerated BSN program, the idea of that scares me, because its just soooo much work. But if you can hack it, kudos. So if you decide this isn't what you had in mind, then one year isn't that long to be out of the environmental field - especially with 5 years of experience.
If you think nursing would enhance your life and feel like you might really like it then your possibly right, and you never know til you give it a shot. Having RN behind your name is ipriceless, you don't even have to be a floor nurse. I'm sure you could integrate your current career with Nursing.
Its good to do some research, and illicit opinions, but in the end, you know what you really want. Don't miss the opportunity, do what inspires you! In the end I decided to switch because I wasn't satisfied, didn't feel appreciated. I wanted to help people in a more personal way.
And something I really LOVE is learning about health, diseases, treatment, ect - it is sooo much more interesting than trying to keep up and be well verse in software, networking, graphics, databases, security, operating systems, hardware, ect - in technology.
I have just completed Nursing School while working full time at my day job during the entire course (as well as pre-reqs).
If you can complete all your NS pre-reqs by this fall, perhaps you can enter NS while still working at your current job. Defer the decision about career change until later. You never know what might happen, what new information you might discover. You might even find a new way to graft nursing onto your current career that would lead you off in a new direction.
The biggest change in thinking that nursing school gave me was "just-in-time" planning. I had five-, ten-, and twenty-year plans. Now I am more comfortable with taking things as they come and adapting to shifting circumstances. (Yeah, I still plan ahead, I'm just saying I'm more adaptable since NS.)
First, of all you are lucky to have thoses otion, before college, you had no real options. I don't know where you from, but here in Texas and places' like cali there is a major nurse shortage. My friends and I are senior nursing students and we all have jobs setup already when we finish school, in additon to that, the hospital paid for all our schooling and books. Nursing jobs in not the issue, the issue is what do you enjoy doing and where is your heart is at. Nursing school is a beast, but if you dream of helping people then its for you. So, many people forget that nursing is a hard job and only your love for people will make it worth it, I always tell patient and families that I am in the business of helping people, so don't ever think that you are bothering me.
I just cannot believe any nurse who wants to work cannot find placement. I am a Director of Nursing in the Houston, Texas market and there are not enough nurses to go around. I will say this, I have been a nurse for over 30 years and here are some of the changes I have seen (and may be part of the problem for new nurses finding positions): 1. RN's are 'paper' nurses or are in the ICU setting, 2. LVN/LPN's are now doing what RN's did in the past, 3. RN's and LVN/LPN's are now expected to take up the slack of former cna's and, most importantly, 4. the bar has been lowered dramatically for admission to nursing school and along with that, common sense is a thing of the past. Number 4 and 5 have soured many employers on the hiring of new grads. I have a Master's Degree and do hire new grads. Less than 50% are retained. The # 1 reason they don't work out - they didn't think they would have to work so hard.
Here in the Bay Area (northern California) there is a surplus of experienced nurses due to the high wages and low staffing ratios. Nursing schools in the nine Bay Area counties knock out hundreds of graduate nurses every year. Students in my graduating class are ranging all over the state and into Oregon and Nevada (and even Texas) to find employment as a graduate nurse. Students have reported disappointment over the low wages and high staffing levels in other jurisdictions. You might say we're spoiled. However some students are finding grad RN positions locally. It certainly helps to be young and pretty (and female).
The nurse recruiter at my hospital (day job) told me that senior nurses haven't been retiring as "expected" due to the poor economy. My classmates were recently sitting for an interview when a retired nurse came in to the personnel office looking for shift work. The recruiter fell all over her, an experienced hand, and left the grad RN's sitting mutely. Similar stories abound.
The tide may be turning. I got an e-mail from some foundation just this morning that indicates more grad RN positions are opening up. I won't take state boards for another few weeks so I'm praying that this is true.
Frankly, arkmann, I think you need to come down from the academic tower, and into the nitty gritty world. Either you have zeal for caring about people; and being part of others' experience in attaining wellness, or their acceptance of a poor prognosis, or you don't.
In your present job, you're establishing the practise of preventive acts, from theories for future preservation of society/world, at a good rate of pay. You won't get better pay than that in conventional nursing, unless you're in a very big city. However it sounds to me that you have something in mind that could have lucrative potential, if you're a nurse. You need to try out the practicality of your idea, while getting involved in day to day nursing.
Check with nursing homes to see what you can do there with your present prequalifications (it won't be pretty), and do that (possibly helping with activities) on your time off or vacation. As you said, you have zilch experience, which most people who go into nursing share. Get your feet wet! I've seen altogether too many people go into nursing, graduate and, having taken the place at school that someone with more direction might have, decide not to follow through in our field.
You do know that law isn't for you, now list the things about nursing that are for you, and those that cause you concern. With written columns reflecting "should I stay or should I go" sorry, no musical notes on my key- board). You will soon see the column with more written in it. That's your decision for now.
Unless your military educational perks lapse at some point, you don't have to hurry into something you want to try on, but may not like. You're not too old to give yourself more time. Career counselling will help, if the written stuff I suggested doesn't give you an answer.
The future shows unlimited potential employment for nurses, and no reason to think salaries will decrease. "Song in my heart" seems to have hit a few minor notes. The plans for implementing the reform of health care bill have untold benefits for nurses who want to work in prevention roles. I am a Public Health Nurse, so I've always done that, no matter what my job was for the past 50 years. I just prefer my patients healthy and strive for that goal. With your service history and entre to government positions, it should be natural for you to pursue that. I have an idea about fostering the combination of military and civilian services. Having 2 tiered health care seems too expensive to sustain.......
You also have the ability to foresee what action now will benefit mankind in the future. That is exceptional, and needs to be developed, as nursing is nothing, if not a changing profession. Flexibility seems to be in you, too and what an asset that is! More power to you!!!
Keep in touch with us. Your OP is a challenge to all who are thinking, "What am I doing where I am? What could I be if I rose to my potential?"
I'm in Houston and I do know of several people that haven't found Nursing jobs... graduating in Dec 09, May 09 and Dec 10. But, nursing is still a much stronger field than others as far as find jobs is concerned. There are a lot of places in Texas that are in the boonies and apparently are really desperate... It is a lot easier for a college who graduates 15 students to say they all have jobs. I don't even know everyone in my graduating class. Honestly I dont think I could live in such a small town with nothing withing a hundred or so miles.
Specializes in Cardiology (ITU), Acute Renal/Dialysis.
I've been a Nurse for 6 years now and still feel the same as I did during the very first week of my training - REGRET! Part of that is that as a mature student who had had many jobs and a career in Cheffing, a male dominated profession,is that until I became a Nurse, I had never come across bullying, discrimination from other Women based on what you look like & what size you are. Also horrendous snobbery & competitiveness.
Being ambitious myself has got me nowhere as I don't fit into the "click" and the ward Manager is not my running partner. Yes I sound bitter, but when you feel trapped & there is no way out unless you give up your dreams & let the "others" win, how else can one feel.
Nursing is a greatly satisfying career, as long as you look the part (in my experience). I am academic, work hard, am popular amongst those with no power.My worse crime is I'm overweight.
So, I would not recommend it to you or anyone else I know. Unless ofcourse you want to sell your soul to the devil in order to get on in your career. Otherwise, get a part time job as a health care assistant and do your best for your Patients/Clients, thats where you'll get satisfaction.
I just cannot believe any nurse who wants to work cannot find placement. I am a Director of Nursing in the Houston, Texas market and there are not enough nurses to go around. I will say this, I have been a nurse for over 30 years and here are some of the changes I have seen (and may be part of the problem for new nurses finding positions): 1. RN's are 'paper' nurses or are in the ICU setting, 2. LVN/LPN's are now doing what RN's did in the past, 3. RN's and LVN/LPN's are now expected to take up the slack of former cna's and, most importantly, 4. the bar has been lowered dramatically for admission to nursing school and along with that, common sense is a thing of the past. Number 4 and 5 have soured many employers on the hiring of new grads. I have a Master's Degree and do hire new grads. Less than 50% are retained. The # 1 reason they don't work out - they didn't think they would have to work so hard.
Nurses who relocate can find jobs, but those who are "stuck" in certain areas, such as the bay area, or anywhere in California really are not going to find them. I have lots of classmates from my graduating class of 01/09 who have yet to find jobs. Unfortunately, either their families or their inability to sell their home has prevented them from moving.
I was one of the lucky ones or I would probably be calling you. :)
I would say to stay in your current profession. Too may people decide on nursing and know absolutely nothing about it-all they know is what they hear and what they see on T.V. There seems to be a common theme on this forum with this mindset. There is no way in hell, I'd give up a secure and steady job to work at a job totally overloaded for 14 hours with no breaks. Being a nurse doesn't guarantee you a job either-Hospitals want you to make a mistake just so they can fire you. It's not a community run organization anymore, it's a business. Be a part-time EMT on the side if you're just dying to be a medical professional. It takes a lot less time and you aren't strapped to hospital politics.
Just a Dose
39 Posts
Hmmm, I kinda did what you did, but I used to make software for +5 years and made quite a bit of money. But, IT has a little more instability than your current job.
I was recently blessed with an internship in the ICU. All of the New Grads who got this job had prior Bachelors/Professional Careers, besides the valedictorian at my school - but this was also a second career for her. Although we all received our ADNs. I would say to get you BSN at least, because its far more school to get your ADN tand RN to BSN than just your BSN.
If you ever want to live/practice in another country I would carefully consider going straight for the Master RN program cuz some countries dont recognize it, even if you have an RN. Dunno why. Also, of course it's most likely way more expensive?
Since you seem to be not so sure, there are part-time programs out there that take 3 years for the BSN. (UTMD in Galveston Tx used to have one) . So you can possibly continue your job AND go to school.
Or of course there is 1 year Accelerated BSN program, the idea of that scares me, because its just soooo much work. But if you can hack it, kudos. So if you decide this isn't what you had in mind, then one year isn't that long to be out of the environmental field - especially with 5 years of experience.
If you think nursing would enhance your life and feel like you might really like it then your possibly right, and you never know til you give it a shot. Having RN behind your name is ipriceless, you don't even have to be a floor nurse. I'm sure you could integrate your current career with Nursing.
Its good to do some research, and illicit opinions, but in the end, you know what you really want. Don't miss the opportunity, do what inspires you! In the end I decided to switch because I wasn't satisfied, didn't feel appreciated. I wanted to help people in a more personal way.
And something I really LOVE is learning about health, diseases, treatment, ect - it is sooo much more interesting than trying to keep up and be well verse in software, networking, graphics, databases, security, operating systems, hardware, ect - in technology.