Where to start for Second Career Nurse

[Sam Tabatabai]

hi,

I am a newcomer to the forum, looking for advice. I’m a 29M, here for a career change into nursing. Initially, I thought I wanted to become a doctor from my family pressure and interested in the medical field. I have been working in healthcare as a medical scribe and now a medical assistant, but I have not taken the next steps. Needless to say, since graduating in 2015, I have felt lost and disinterested in becoming a doctor. The long path to become a doctor and the lack of balance in work-life has made me want to consider other medical careers. I found that I was fixated on the architect of a doctor, despite the hurdles and role of a physician. What I enjoyed in working in healthcare is the patient interactions and working in a medical team which I have now turned to doing the prerequisites for ABSN programs. However, I still want to shadow and gain more exposure to the field as I work primarily with medical providers in outpatient clinics.

Do you guys have any insight or tips that may make the journey easier? I am ready to put in everything I got to become a nurse but I just do not know where to start. I have found it impossible to find a nurse to shadow or keep in contact ( I live in Portland, OR).

[Future_GA_nurse, CNA, EMT-B]

I honestly don't think the journey will be 'easy' and I'm not sure what you mean by easy. If you haven't taken your required nursing pre-reqs then that alone can be 1-1.5 years of school. You will still have to balance work and school especially if you're doing school full time and work full time. I'm not sure if you have a family, so you'll have to factor that in also. Depending on where you want to attend nursing school, it can be competitive and in some cases ABSN are more competitive. Also you will have to factor into the nursing application by taking the HESI or TEAS.

I just say plan realistic expectations and don't try to rush the process. Research the schools you are interested in, know what they're looking for, find past and current students to speak with about their experience. Also get to know the admissions rep or director. They can offer you insight of how to make you a 'better' applicant. Last and not least...DO NOT compare yourself and your stats to others. What you have to offer is only unique to you and the right school will see it and appreciate it.

Good luck on your journey. I've been off an on for some time now and I will be applying for Spring or fall matriculation 2021.