Switching careers to nursing. who has done it?

[Noodles]

I am thinking of going back to school to become an RN. My wife is an RN and like most nurses she does work hard, has her bad days, but also has some very rewarding days to go along with a decent salary and a stable job. I'm currently working as a computer programmer and have done so for about 10 years now but I feel like I'm treading water in my career and have for a few years lost some of my motiviation to keep going on my current career path. I see my wife's career and I see a lot to like in it. Like any career there are some disadvantages but she seems to enjoy it and finds it rewarding and having a decent salary and a stable job is never a bad thing. I'm wondering if others on here have made a mid-life career switch to nursing and how it has worked out.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

David,

Sent you a private (PM) message.

[xng]

I too was a former IT guy doing project management and training. Became a "Dot com refugee" three times in 2000-2002 so I did some serious soul searching and decided that nursing was it for me. I'm 44 now, finished the prereqs for RN programs but am starting an LVN (in CA - LVN, most other states are LPN I think) in January. I plan on a bridge to an RN/BSN program as soon as I get my LVN license in 18 months.

As a side note, my class has a record 12 men out of 36 students!

It is surprising that so many second degrees are from IT line. I am from IT line too, it seems that people doesn't want to admit that the main reason is that the IT industry is short of jobs.

[joseph2005]

I attempted to do so, and was extremely successful in the academic areas of science and nursing. However, I was advised that I did not pass Clinical 3, after all of my tiime and effort. I suggest you read up on this and other sites about possible discrimination you may face while trying to become a nurse, as as you are one if you become one. Just a word to the wise. Decide for yourself.

[2002MissRN]

i made the move from accounting, after 21 years, to nursing. however, i started out (in the dinosaur age) as a nursing student, got married...then the kids. went back got accounting degree, worked 7 years as an accountant. the last job was in a home health agency where i decided i wanted to go back to nursiing. i don't regret the decision to do so. i worked 80 hour weeks during tax season..oh the money was great but i had no time to spend it; not to mention my husband and kids were strangers by april 15th. i love the flexbility and the diversity of nursing. speaking of which i have decided to do some travel nursing now that the kids are out of the house..just me, the ole man, and the doggies. has anyone out there done any traveling nursing? would love to hear some tips.....you won't regret your decision to get into nursing.

[br107]

in the process. finishing up pre-reqs and researching local adn programs.

ba in economics. past career WAS in sales operations, marketing. bye, bye, world of commerce. i always knew health care was where i was "meant" to be. never really acted on it until a recent layoff and some soul searching nudged me to take action. very cool. the whole turn of events has a "fated" feel to it. ya ya i know soooo corny. lol.

[sawbuck]

Just started a few months ago. So far, so good. I know all about loosing your motivating for your current career. I just couldn't see myself sitting behind that desk saying "we'll touch base later" for another 30 years. So not for me.

-S

I have been an RN for 11 yrs now and earned my degree BSN at the age of 45. I was medic in the Vietnam era. Before I worked many facets in the construction industry. Nusing is good when we can "Nurse." There is a lot of baggage to carrry along with the job. To do it again I would seek a slant on Sonography of Nuclear Med nursing. Great future in these fields.

[sean_rn]

Go for it.

I became a nurse at 30 and have had no regrets, best decision I have ever made. Yes i had to pay my dues initially but the same holds true for any job. The options have seemed limitless: My nursing career has brought me to many places, ie: Cruise ships, Asia, africa, USA (I'm Canadian) and am now working as a flight nurse in California... awsome job. I have only been an RN for 7 years! Not to metion the $100,000 + I have made each year for the past 4 years. Go for it.... I am sure you too will have few regrets.

Sean : )

[xng]

Go for it.

I became a nurse at 30 and have had no regrets, best decision I have ever made. Yes i had to pay my dues initially but the same holds true for any job. The options have seemed limitless: My nursing career has brought me to many places, ie: Cruise ships, Asia, africa, USA (I'm Canadian) and am now working as a flight nurse in California... awsome job. I have only been an RN for 7 years! Not to metion the $100,000 + I have made each year for the past 4 years. Go for it.... I am sure you too will have few regrets.

Sean : )

Mind telling me the specialty nursing degree that can earn 100,000 per year ?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Mind telling me the specialty nursing degree that can earn 100,000 per year ?

I do know that CRNAs (certified registered nurse anesthetists) earn over $100,000 annually in most parts of the U.S.

[NaomieRN]

I have been a Nutritionist for about 7 years, I am going back for nursing. I will start in September 06. My sister has been a nurse for about 12 years and still loving it. I just hope I dont get tired after 10 years. My mother used to say, never get tired of doing something good.

Good luck to you all!

[K98]

I retired from law enforcement after 25 years. I'm 45, a full-time student in an RN program due to graduate in June of 2006. I'm still working part-time as a police officer for mad money, but may give that up after graduation. My wife is an RN in a level one trauma center, and I would like to work in a unit similar to hers. We'll see what developes after graduation .

[piper_for_hire]

Agency nurses here make $47 flat rate. There are so many shifts available, you can work 7 days a week. Maybe get cancelled 2-3 times a year. So work 4 shifts a week => 47*12*4*52 = $117K. Not bad.

-S

Mind telling me the specialty nursing degree that can earn 100,000 per year ?