Roy Said:

If I get a BSN, will I be able to change my nursing career?

We Answered:

There are many alternative career fields in nursing, especially with the BSN degree as a start. However, you may need a few hours of additional coursework for a specific job specialty. Or you may want to look at an additional degree. Forensics, research and legal consulting are jobs with less than 12 hour shifts in most cases. But there are many others.

Don't be discouraged by people telling you what you can't do. There are always plenty of people who will dwell on the negative in life. If you put a positive attitude towards your goal, you can work in any area of nursing you desire. You must just be willing to put forth your part of the effort. Many of the people with negative attitudes, expect once they become an RN, that others will run to them with jobs, and there will be no need for further education. Remember, you never stop learning in health care.

Viola Said:

Change of career from Finance to Nursing?

We Answered:

You have to talk to USCIS again to avoid deportation. Or an immigration lawyer. $$$$$$$

Louise Said:

nursing - change of career question.?

We Answered:

Yes it can be done. If you already hold a degree you can prove you have the necessary academic requirements to study the nursing degree. It will definitely help if your degree is in social sciences or similar which I'm guessing yours is.

I trained with people who used to be teachers, lawyers even accountants. If you haven't already, it may help to check out this website: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Def… Gives you information on entry requirements and training. And yes, the NHS will fund your training for the degree.

By the way, your teaching background will be very valuable, as a big part of our job is teaching junior and student nurses as well as junior doctors and health promotion to patients, so you will be an asset.

Perry Said:

Looking for a career change... nursing...?

We Answered:

I had to do the same thing. I applied for FAFSA on a whim because I really didn't think I would qualify for financial aid and I would have to foot the bill myself, but I was shocked to find that I had tons of grants I was eligible for which almost covered my tuition entirely. But I still had to contend with work - I quit my job and worked part time at my school, and I bit the bullet and took out every student loan I was eligible for to use for living expenses. It was scary to do that, but it was the wisest thing I ever did. I may be $50k in debt now, but the payments are managable now that I am making a nurse's income, and I have never once regretted my decisions.

Good luck to you!

Rafael Said:

Has anyone made a career change into Nursing successfully?

We Answered:

I was an accountant and after I had my family I decided to change career and do something that was more worthwhile and personally satisfying. I did volunteer work at my local hospital and then they asked me to join them as a health care assistant which I did for a year which gave me a real feel for the environment and helped me to decide whether nursing was for me. I went to university to study nursing for three years then got a job on a surgical ward as a registered nurse. I found that nursing was a true vocation and I loved being able to care for people, physically, emotionally and socially. However, after a few years of being there the love of the job has gone, its not the nursing, just the politics of healthcare, the conflicts with staff, the lack of equipment and supplies, the red tape and paperwork, the blame culture, the lack of organisational support, having to watch your back, not being able to make the smallest mistake without the organisation coming down on you like a tonne of bricks, the pressure of understaffing, the fact that more and more work is put upon you and they expect you to be able to cope, the fact that nurses are being expected to take on more doctors jobs on the ward without financial gain, and the inflexibility of rostering. And I've been fighting a pay dispute for over a year as I am not being paid enough. All in all, it was not how I expected it to be and it has been a real disappointment to me. I am seriously considering leaving.

I would suggest you apply to do some voluntary work at your local hospital but spend the time watching the work of the registered nurse, see if you want their stress level and their responsibility, the training takes a long time and you need to know what you are letting yourself in for. Good luck.

Alicia Said:

i am wanting a career change to nursing, how would i go about this and what qualifications do i need?

We Answered:

You currently have the choice of a nursing diploma or a nursing degree. The diploma is due to be phased out in 2013 but some uni's have already dropped it in favour of the degree. Many won't be offering it after this Septembers intake.

For the diploma you generally need 5 GCSE's at grade C or above, must include Maths & English. Some uni's like you to have at least a C in Science too.

For the degree you need the 5 GCSE's plus 2 or 3 A-levels, it varies from uni to uni. Last year my uni was asking for BBB at A-level.

Or you could take an Access course but most uni's will expect you to have English & Maths GCSE at C grade or above as well. Some will accept Numeracy & Literature Level 2 as an alternative. The Access course option allows you to apply for the diploma or degree.

You should check with the individual uni's for their specific entry requirements. http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun/sea…

With regards getting in on life experience, well those days are long gone. Nursing is extremely competitive to get into now & last year applications were up by 75%. The unis are stricter with regards qualifications especially as the profession moves to becoming all degree. A few years ago concerns were raised specifically with regards nurses making drug errors hence the insistence that you have Maths, Science & English GCSE at C or above. With so many applicants the uni's can afford to strict on the entry requirements. Work experience does count towards your application but you must have the academic qualifications too.

You might find this link useful for nursing. It has a great forum for advice about becoming a nurse, writing your personal statement, interviews, finances etc. http://www.studentnurse.org.uk/