Transitioning to healthcare while waiting for nursing school?

[WDW4ever]

I have recently applied to a nursing program, and will need to take a bunch of pre-reqs. I work in a career unrelated to healthcare.

I'm wondering if I should try to find a job in healthcare while I am taking my pre-reqs, so that when I finally go to nursing school, it won't look on my resume like I have never done anything in healthcare.

I don't think a medical receptionist would pay much, but I'm wondering if I should take a couple of courses in billing and coding so that I am more able to get a job in a medical office, hospital office, etc. Would that be totally crazy and a waste of money when I will need to pay for pre-req classes? I know billing and coding is a far cry from nursing, but wondered if there was any advantage to getting into a healthcare setting first, however I could do it. Or is that considered so unrelated that it doesn't even make a difference?

For career changers, did you try to transition into healthcare before nursing school or just stay in your existing career until then?

Thanks for any insight you can provide :)

[sawyer12]

I applied to an LPN Program in June - mid-life total career change for me. Even tho I scored high on the NET, I was waitlisted because of my lack of experience. So I am taking a nite CNA program to get some experience. I think it will also help once I finally do get into LPN school because I will have the basic experience of dealing with patients which some just going right into nursing school dont have. I def think it couldnt hurt. Best of luck to you.