thinking about a career change

youknowho · Apr 4, 2009

I am sure there are people who made a career change from every profession to nursing but make sure you get into it for the right reasons. Nursing isn't something you can do just to have a job, imho. It can be very difficult physically and mentally but it can also be rewarding.

No there are no sure jobs. I imagine you can have a steady income once you have a position, its getting the position as a new graduate that's especially challenging right now. Maybe by the time you are done it wont be, you never know. You can have a somewhat flexible schedule depending on where you work and how they schedule people. We put our request in for what days we want to work and if it works for the unit, then the manager keeps it. Some other places do it different. Good luck to you.

student200977 · Apr 4, 2009

Nursing is a great profession that gives you an opportunity to touch the lives of so many people and it is a very rewarding profession. But it is a profession that shouldn't be taken lightly, and its definitely not a profession for people looking just for the money. I understand that the economy is hard, and even in the job market for nurses is getting tough, especially for us new grads. But I would suggest speaking to nurses around your area and ask them questions about their job and responsibilities. But if you're caring, and have a desire to help people, and make a difference, then nursing is definitely a choice you should consider. To answer your questions, because of the high demand for nurses there are several advertisements about...you pick your hours, good money, sign on bonuses etc...yes it's true, and it depends on where you work. As a new grad you may not get the hours you want and may have to work the night shift...etc. Also, even with the sign-on bonuses and the other perks, it also means you need to give something in return, and usually that's a contract to work for them for x amount of years. There are tons of nursing schools in CA, but most of them are impacted, have a waiting list, and are competitive. There are also several new schools that have opened in CA, please google the CA board of Nursing to check what schools are accredited by them. Because there are some nursing schools that are not accredited by the Board of Nursing, check this website to be on the safe side. Some schools that are new include West Coast University, and American University of Health Sciences. Both from what I've heard are fairly new, and have BSN programs, but are private schools. I've heard good things about American University of Health Sciences, their located in Long Beach. I don't know anyone who changed careers from real estate to nursing. Hope this helps. :wink2:

elkpark · Apr 4, 2009

Before you make a decision, I would encourage you to review some of the (many) existing threads on this site about the difficulties new grads in CA are having finding jobs. Even before the economy tanked, many of the areas in CA were so saturated with nurses that new grads couldn't get jobs anywhere and even experienced nurses sometimes had difficulty finding employment. CA new grads are looking at having to relocate to another state to find work -- is that something you would be willing to or interested in doing? The much ballyhooed "nursing shortage" is confined to some specific geographic areas (typically less popular areas to live), and many areas/markets are completely saturated (and, again, that was before the economy went down the toilet -- nowadays, hospitals in many areas have hiring freezes in place or are laying off nurses).

As the other posters have said, if you want to go into nursing, be sure it's because you want to be a nurse, not (just) because you think it's going to be a great job, great schedule, great salary. It's hard, demanding work, emotionally as well as physically, and it's certainly not for everyone.

Best wishes! :heartbeat

TheOldGuy · Apr 5, 2009

LOL - "as nice as it sounds" !

Yeah...pretty much this is what you'll do....:onbch:

when you're not collecting a big paycheck!

Sorry..... :bow:

I came from the financial industry. Nursing is wholly different. You can make decent money but not great money. You don't dress up as nicely, you deal with various body things and fluids you would never have imagined, you work holidays, maybe hours you don't like, and constantly worry that you made a mistake or that you didn't catch something that you should have (and change in the garage so your family doesn't catch something they shouldn't - lol). Changing big people's diapers isn't nearly as much fun as changing little tiny people's diapers. People die. And you've got to be really careful talking about your day with someone who isn't a nurse or you'll look up and find them staring at you in shocked disbelief ... and nursing school is mind numbing.

On the other hand.....

I've felt more fulfilled in Nursing than anything I've ever done and wish I'd have gotten into it years ago!

mfrancisco · Apr 5, 2009

I am not a nurse yet, but am taking the full load of pre-requisites. I have been a Realtor for five years, so I know where you are coming from. However, let me agree with the other posters here that you should not get into it for the money. I have several friends who are RNs and they love their jobs, but it is very stressful. You can make more money in real estate if you work as hard, so make sure you are getting into it for the passion. As far as my motivation, I have wanted to do healthcare since I was very young. I went to college and started off by majoring in Biology, and ended up switching to Economics because I wasn't getting straight As. According to the counselor, I wasn't cut out for science since I didn't have a 4.0. Long story short, I have wanted to go into nursing since I graduated in 2000. I ended up volunteering in Oncology a year ago, and it sealed the deal on going back to school. I have always wanted to help those with Cancer due to watching my grandmother die of brain cancer when I was 10. Anyway, I can go on and on, but my point is, do your research and go for it if that's what you want to do. If you just don't want to do real estate, which I totally understand because it is extremely stressful, then look at your other options before you make a final decision. Definitely take the time to volunteer and/or shadow nurses in the field that you may be interested in. I am so relieved to leave real estate. For anyone who thinks Realtors make easy money, you should have shadowed me for my 18 hour days, 7 days a week.