Student Center >> Considering Nursing >> 2nd Career Nurses
2nd Career Nurses
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Posted almost 6 years ago I am a second career nurse (got my BSN in my 30's). If anyone wants some advice on how to go about this, post a question here and I will do my best to answer it. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I am too... actually this will be my 3rd degree and 3rd profession! |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago OK -I am a 3rd career nurse (student, at the moment). I have a BA, went into dialysis (no jobs for poli sci majors) for 7 years, became a Behavioral Specialist for people with developmental disabilities, then back to dialysis after moving to Florida. And while I am doing all of that, I serve as a commissioned officer in the Army National Guard. So is becoming a nurse my 4th? I aced all my pre-reqs for nursing, how will I do in the school house? Blood doesn't scare me -I stick 15 and 14g needles for a living! |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Not sure why the strikethroughs are on the reply... |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I'm not sure, Denis. I will look into that for you. BTW, what did you do in Dialysis? Sounds like you have plenty of experience that will make you a great nurse. Military experience is especially helpful. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Sorry Beth, I've been busy with the military stuff. I am a "Patient Care Technician," I have a 4 patient assignment for 2 shifts of dialysis patients. I take their vitals, assess their AV fistula or graft to make sure it isn't clotted off (it's happened to me many times). If I have a bruit and thrill, I access the AV fistula with either a 16/15/14 gauge needle as prescribed. In Florida, I can't legally give the heparin for the treatment, so I luer lock it, draw it back, and have the patient give it to themselves (I have them read the label on the syringe first :) ). In Massachusetts, I could give the heparin. Then I re-prime the lines with fresh saline and hook the line to the cannula on the needles, start the blood pump, and start treatment time (2 hr 45 to 4.5 hr). I monitor the patients b/p throughout the tx q 1/2 hr, check chamber levels, and joke around with the pts. It's not fun being stuck in a chair for hours! My "sense of humor" is what will either get me through school, or get me kicked out! |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago A sense of humor is absolutely essential in this business! It sounds like you are doing everything a dialysis nurse does. Do you plan on going into a different kind of nursing - or will you continue with dialysis? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Hi! I was wondering if anyone knows what a CMA stands for? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Was this a term you saw in nursing? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago CMA = Certified Medical Assistant This term refers to a non-licensed healthcare worker performing clerical, administrative, and basic clinical support to doctors. CMAs get certified via a one-year certificate or diploma program, or via a two-year Associate's degree. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Yes this much is true. The reason I asked is because a CMA is more than just support for the docs. I'm currently working full time as a CMA in pediatrics and I do everything that our RN's or LPN's do. I also go to school at night to finish my RN and only have a year to go and I can't wait. I would love to give you all info on CMA's because they need to be noticed too. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Oh thanks spooky for clarifying. If you want to you should go ahead and start a thread in the Nursing Specializations discussions category for CMAs. Also, if you have any articles, feel free to upload them yourself as news articles so that all users can learn more about CMAs. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I am wondering what the duties of the RN's and LPN's on Spooky's unit entail? As an unlicensed medical assistant, the scope of practice, at least in our state, are vastly different and limited. We actually won't employ any AUA without their pct certification through the state board of nursing. No CNA's, no Nurse techs...etc. Just patient care technicians and NREMT-P's. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I'm in Washington and have an acquaintance who went into the CMA program. She told me that CMAs are replacing LPNs, but I can't imagine that they would replace, or do "everything" that an RN does considering the "certification inflation" (as another friend puts it) of the nursing craft. I'm 46 (and a half) and working in the pre-reqs for the ADN program at our local commuinty college. I have worked in the insurance industry for 10 years (4 in medical) and have thought about nursing for years! Desk jobs don't work for me and I need to contribute to the greater whole. This will be my second and final carreer...I'm really excited to get started. PS Spooky, how is it that in on your first post you ask what a CMA is and in your second post in this thread, you state that you have been working as a CMA??? Gee, I'm confused. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago I am also in my 30's. I have a BA and no medical experience. I've looked into the programs in my area and don't know where to begin. Ultimately I would like to get a BSN. I'll need to work while going to school and would also like to gain some experience. Is this possible? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Hi BAM this site is a good reference for general nursing education information. This article may also be helpful for you regarding BSN and ADN specifics. Does anyone else have experience balancing work and school while pursuing a BSN? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago HI Everyone, I pray I get some guidance here because getting it form the schools and other websites has not helped. I am a 45 year old realtor and am considering an ADN - thanx for the article JonZ - I have been out of the school loop for awhile and am eager to make the change. I take care of a 2 seniors as well, one of which - my mother-in-law has lived with me for 9 years. My mom is 1/2 mile away. My husband will be retiring in 5 years and if I don't get out of the house when he is home - let's just say...we just celebrated our 20 year anniv. - but we do better when one is out of the house some of the time. Besides he gave me the time to raise our 3 teenagers...and I want to give him a comfortable retirement.
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| Posted almost 6 years ago For anyone who is interested in a career switch - you should know that there are schools that offer a 12 month accelerated program for people that already have a bachelor's in a non-nursing profession. After an intense 12 months, you will have a bachelors in nursing (RN). You can then continue on to a masters if you wish. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago mendiant said: There's no reason to be confused. I asked the question because it appears that no one knows what a CMA is or are. I feel that because we are not considered as good as a LPN, Which I feel that I am. I would have to say yes this would be true for some, I'm currently working on my RN and I work very hard at it too. I was just concerned because I'm also trying to apply at the Hospital to get my foot in the door. The current position that I'm in is a Office CMA, I don't work under the care of a nurse, I work under the doctor care. So there for all the nurses that work there too do the same thing. But the pay is different. So I would assume. But I work just as hard as everyone and I strive to learn more. I'm sorry that I confussed anyone, that wasn't my intention. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago Don't worry spooky - I don't think that you confused people. Why did you become a CMA? How are you treated by the nurses? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago This will be my second career too, 12 yrs in the Air Force, but I'm not I necessarily want to stop working. Can anyone give me some advice on trying to go to school at night and work during the day? |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago There have been several smaller threads opened up on this topic - How to Find the Time/Finances. There are several others discussing time management for prospective and second career nurses. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago JonZ said: I became a CMA because I felt like it was for me. I was in a car accident that effected my whole life. For the past 10 years I have been pushing myself to the limits. I have had to re-learn to read write and lots more and I have done it. There's no stopping me. I found the right person whole taught me to fight for what I want. Life is to short. For many years I thought I couldn't do it. Starting all over again is a challenge. So on with my RN and I will be able to give back to the people that gave me the chance to surive. |
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| Posted almost 6 years ago RubenM said: RubenM, I served 8 years in the Air Force and got out to pursue my RN degree. I was an aeromedical specialist which I feel helped in some areas. Trying to work full time, especially during the day time, will be challenging. If you have a family it's even harder. My husband worked full time while I used my GI Bill to go to school. I have three children and at that time they were little. I usually had to work part-time off and on to help financially. To save money, I got my ADN degree at a community college and have been working as RN in ICU/CCU. My husband is getting his degree in business now and has two years left. When he is finished, I have one year left for my BSN and will complete it. What's great, is that the amount of tuition that GI Bill doesn't cover can be payed for with Stafford loans. If you are smart when you are done, get a job w/ an employer that will pick up the rest of your loans. I have no student debts now. If you really need to work, there are online and corispondent courses, like Regents college, that allow this. The only downfalls are the passing rate of approximately 40%, the price, and the inconveince of having to travel to complete their required crammed practicals. When I checked into this, I found that there is no hands on training to prepare you for your practicals. This has been over 7 years ago and things may have changed. If you go to a traditional accredited school, I think you are better prepared, more competative, and can pursue a higher degree easier. Most nursing programs are not flexible with their schedules and usually are held during the day time. When you get into your preceptorship, they may give you the choice of day or night. Anyways, I hope this helped. Let me know if you have further questions. |
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| Posted over 5 years ago After reading all the posts on this site I guess it is safe to say that this is going to be my 2nd career as well. I have a BA in communications then moved to Oregon where I cannot use my degree. I have done several different things in my life and currently I am working as a medical transcriptionist. I have recently decided to go back to school to become an RN. Anyone know of an online program to be an RN? |
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| Posted over 5 years ago nlewelling - what made you decide to become an RN? What were you doing after you graduated with a communications degree? |
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| Posted over 5 years ago You may want to check out this article for information on Online Nursing Degrees. |
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| Posted over 5 years ago Hi I want to become a CMA is it better to do online or at a campus? |
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| Posted over 5 years ago I have been an LPN for the past 26 years in many different states (from sea to shining sea). I've recently gone back to school to get my RN, I have less than 8 months left. My husband retires from the Air Force in October and is currently working on his pre- reqs for the nursing program. Our plan is for both of us to become RNs and do the travel nursing thing. We want to pick up a few contracts a year, travel and see the world. We are both very excited about getting our degree and starting this new adventure. Please don't pay any attention to my misspelled words or typos. Sorry I'll try harder next time. |
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| Posted over 5 years ago I'm thinking about entereing nursing. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and am currently working full time CRAZY hours, I'm also a single parent. Does anyone know of anyway to obtain a nursing degree with mostly online classes. I know that I will have to do clinical stuff, but I would like to do the majority of the work online. Also, if anyone knows about grants, that info would be a great help! I'm really serious about getting into nursing I just don't really know where to start. |
