Switching Careers

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So I'm 32 years old and considering switching careers to become a nurse. I'm currently doing a lot of research about the options and career paths options for nurses. I currently work as a Quality Assurance Associate for a major reproductive bank, but secretly I've always wanted to be an OBGYN. After much thought and consideration I realized that I didn't want to incur the debt or take on the responsibility of being and MD. So the next best thing is to become a nurse!!

I have a BS in Psychology and a MBA. I completed my BS in 2006 and my CCs in California require that your pre-reqs not be more than 7 years old. So as you can see I'm starting over. I've talked with some of my friends, that are nurses and just so happen to also be former co-workers, about what it's like to be a nurse and the options vary.

I would love to hear about your experiences in nursing, the good, the bad, and everything in between. I've worked in healthcare most of my career so I'm no stranger to blood and patient craziness sometimes. I've worked in Psych, Rehab facilities, ORs, and MD offices. So I'm not blind to what nurses go through, I've just never walked a mile in your shoes.

All opinions will be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm going to say good luck in California. I here right now it is the toughest place to get into nursing school. Understand the nursing model is different that the medical model. Physicians diagnose and treat the disease, nurses treat how the patient responds to the disease. Personally, I love nursing school and all that it entails. It's been difficult. This past month has been extremely stressful. My last 2 finals are on Friday and I cannot wait for them to be done. I need a break!! But generally I have loved it.

Nursing is a difficult job. It is like any other job in the world. It's going to have good and bad days. You are going to have negative people around you and difficult patients. I'm a science nerd so it's all fascinating to me. It's a balance. I don't know if you have a family or not. I'm a single mom to one boy. I have to plan everything. Everything. I've really been missing my boy recently because he's been spending more time with his dad because I've been so busy. But next week, things will be normal again until August.

Research the schools you are looking at and what the requirements are for the program. Try to get all As in the prereqs. That's a biggie because it is very competitive. Don't look at for profit schools. They are as shady as they come and will try to sell you the moon. Don't believe a word they say. Plus they are super expensive. Also, since you already have a degree, financial aid will be hard to come by so research all of that before you start also.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Nursing is certainly not the 'next best thing' to medicine and it's insulting that you think so. Nursing is it's own discipline, separate and distinct from the practice of medicine.

I would suggest some more research on your part before you settle for second best...

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I have to echo the comments above as nursing has its own perspective of taking care of the "whole person" and his/her responses to actual, perceived, and potential illnesses. Medicine is meant to treat diseases. You have to ask yourself if you can embrace this worldview to be happy or satisfiedas a nurse. Also, nurses may have greater responsibility and due diligence than physicians because we are the ones with patients 24-7 .

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Nursing is not the 'next best thing' or a sort of consolation prize for not getting into medical school. Such thinking makes disappointed, bitter nurses and frustrated doctors.

If you want to be an MD, go for it. Nursing school is incredibly hard as well as expensive in both money and life lived, and the last thing you want is to wake up at 37 and realize you STILL want to go to medical school. Do it right the first time.

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