Pondering a career change

[krystee]

My mom went back for her RN at 44 and it was the best decision ever. She loves it. It was a LOT of work with classes and clinicals, but she made it work and I'm sure you could too!

[fuddyduddy]

I start nursing school next week. It is sort of a second career for me (I was in the military for five years). I spent the past year volunteering at a local hospital, shadowing doctors and nurses and observing surgeries, taking prerequisite courses and pre-admission examinations, attending information sessions, and applying to programs in the area.

I am obviously at the very early stages of my career as an RN, but feel free to ask me any questions about my experiences so far. Good luck with your decision!

[thegooser]

Do it! This has been on your mind for YEARS.

[orangeblossom]

I've thought about a lot and every now and again I get it in my mind to look up programs and see what I need to do. Like you, I would have to take some classes over and maybe even additional classes depending on the school.

If you've been thinking about it a lot, I would at least consider taking the prereq's, so you can at least have them out of the way while you're still thinking about.

There are scholarships and grants available, bit they are little harder to come by. Check out hrsa.gov, as I know they have a few programs where you owe them a certain amount of service in a federally qualified health center upon graduation.

Good luck.

[reason2believe]

Most importantly -----where do you live? Sadly there really is no nursing shortage as many media outlets claim. Unfortunately there are tons of new grads out there who are still jobless 1,2,3 years out of school. Check out allnurses.com - go to the regional section and see what people on your state forum are saying job-wise.

Other than that - I'm a big fan of career changers as I did it myself several years ago to be an RN!

If you have any questions pls ask! And good luck!

[GailGoldie]

i dno't have specific advice re: nursing other than talking to a lot of nurses about their jobs - make sure it's really what you want to do.... because I know nursing is a lot like teaching - you have to LOVE it or you will hate it b/c of all the BS and assholes you deal with.

I uesd to teach and I did love it.... but b/c I moved to NJ and there was nothing in my cert avail at the time- and a friend mentioning a job at her cmopany that i'd be good at - BAM -career change.... I loved the corporate world so much and never went back.

I got the last 2 jobs (the 2 i have had since leaving teaching 12 years ago) by who I know.... letting everyone I know, know i was looking for a job - and getting rec's. I've been at my current job (pharma sales) for 10 years as of this week. hard to believe --- my life was so different as a teacher- so much more stress and BS on a daily basis - if I didn't love the kids and helping them learn/grow - i would have been out of it by choice... but it just kind of happened to me and i'm glad it did.

[trixie12]

I think making a career change to nursing is a great idea if that's what you're contemplating. As long as you're comfortable with blood and needles you should do fine.

One of the great things about a nursing degree is all of the options that you have in the field. Staff nursing, research nursing, home health nursing, management, etc. I've been in the sales side for the past 10+ years, but I still get to use my nursing skills and knowledge.

I say go for it!!

[Deleted]

I did this exact thing about 2 years ago. I left my job as a chemist and went back to nursing school full time. It was hard and scary, but nursing is the most rewarding job I have ever had. I help patients and their families every.single.day. If you have any questions regarding the specifics or just want to pick my brain, page me! I really love nursing! If its something you're passionate about and have wanted to do for years, DO IT! Its worth it!!