Thinking of Switching to Nursing from Finance

TuesdaysChild · Oct 18, 2016

It kind of sounds like you're asking if anyone has a crystal ball that can tell you if you will be happier as a nurse or a financial major. Really, who knows? If you have a job on your feet, some day you'll want something at a desk. If you work at a desk, some day you'll want something on your feet. Life is fickle that way. Most careers make people feel overworked and underappreciated. It's not nursing specific.

You know you better than anyone else. The worst you can expect is deciding you don't like your job someday and starting over. It happens all the time, and it isn't the end of the world

Eileenrey · Oct 18, 2016

I just want to hear opinions from others who have switched careers or majors to nursing or vice versa. I'm conflicted as of right now although I have another semester to go before I can switch. I don't want to keep taking out loans for something I might change my mind on or regret paying for. I feel like I already wasted my time on my first degree..

Buyer beware, BSN · Oct 25, 2016

I just want to hear opinions from others who have switched careers or majors to nursing or vice versa. I'm conflicted as of right now although I have another semester to go before I can switch. I don't want to keep taking out loans for something I might change my mind on or regret paying for. I feel like I already wasted my time on my first degree..

I will never understand why nursing has become the defacto default job in not only the U.S. but apparently the entire world.

What is it about scatology, long back breaking hours, threatening-my son is a lawyer and a doctor- patients, potential needlesticks with exposure to incurable infectious disease, two-faced surly doctors, on-call schedules that foster high divorce rates, weak hunkered down nursing leadership, oblivious non-nursing administrators that set nursing policy, stagnant wages, dangerous understaffing, being sent home and then threatened with termination and charged with patient abandonment for declining to be floated to an area you know nothing about and may even be down-right dangerous to yourself and others in, getting mugged in the hallways by community derelicts or the patients themselves, getting bled, peed, barfed pooped and spit on, designated year after year the # 1most trusted profession but getting zero respect, portrayed as street walkers, numbskulls and lavender leaners with psychotic and sadistic tendencies by the media while simultameously being told "you seem like a smart person, did you ever consider becoming a doctor?"

Finance here I come: :unsure:

Zyprexa_Ho · Oct 25, 2016

Picking a major is a very personal thing. It sounds like you need to do some more research as to what a nurse does and what you can expect.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2016

I changed majors from music to nursing and have never looked back (although I do still love to sing!) I was halfway through college though; I have never had another *career.*

I will say my husband has a BS in finance. He really couldn't find a job he wasn't overqualified for, until he got his MBA. He works as a CFO now, and while his stress doesn't involve poop he has plenty of it! He works well over 40 hrs a week, and brings work home a lot. He even works on vacation.

I on the other hand, work part time and leave my work when I clock out.

That's just my experience though. Only you can decide what you want and why you want it. :)

busybeeSN · Oct 25, 2016

I'm getting my BSN but I have also been taking prereqs to apply for the MBA program at my school. I feel like that opens a lot of doors for growing in healthcare or another avenue if I choose. I could never do any type of accounting full time, no thank you. I don't like to waste time or money, so for me a graduate degree after my BSN makes the most sense for me.

Livelaughlove72 · Oct 25, 2016

I have a bachelor's in Economics and currently work in finance- with a lot of nurses (which is why I read this website, it helps me relate to my colleagues). At times I also dream of changing careers, as I think most people do.

If helping people is what appeals to you in Nursing, I'm sure you know you can help people in almost any profession, especially if you are trained in psychology and finance. People need help in all those areas.

Without knowing what you do besides going to school, my best advice would be to try out a few different work situations (maybe even with nurses!) and see if you can find something you enjoy before embarking on a nursing school journey, which usually comes with a high tuition bill and more stress than I can imagine. And if you still find yourself interested in nursing then at least you know you made an educated decision.

Best of luck!

lorenzo895 · Oct 26, 2016

Hi Eileen,

You should do it. You probably have much to offer. People change careers all the time. Having a credential like an RN designates you as one with special skills and opens up more job opportunities. I personally came from higher education where landing a job is based on professional network, experience, and seniority. 100s of applicants with PhDs vying for one spot that doesn't pay well and having to impress people who (sometimes) think a bit too highly of themselves.

About the long grueling hours... That is just a fact of life. You'll do it whether you're working for tips or for a salary. I'm in my final semester, but so far I like the fact that job prospects anywhere I want to go are already brighter. Furthermore, there is this tough, real, and raw human experience element to it which I thrive on and that I never found in the higher education/office work world. It was the third best choice in my life. Number 1 being Christ, 2 my wife, and 3 nursing. Do it, YOLO!

IDon'tWanna · Oct 28, 2016

Finance undergrad here. Worked for a hedge fund for 10 years. Made great money. Hated my life. Hated everything about the job. Hated sitting at a desk. I'm super passionate about social and reproductive justice so I'm switching careers. I was recently accepted into a masters-entry RN program. I plan on pursing my midwifery/whnp afterwards. There's sooooo much you can do in nursing. I'm super excited about my future.

The thing about this website is you're going to read through all of these super negative posts about how nursing sucks and it's a thankless job. Honestly, this website is the best for scaring away nurse hopefuls. And if that works on you--if you read all these terrible things about the current state of nursing and they convince you to not pursue it, then nursing was never for you. However, if you wade through all the s**t and still can't think of anything else you'd honestly rather be doing, then THIS is your calling.

Good luck.