Career Changes Support Group

This community is dedicated to the difficult challenges of transitioning from one career or job to a new one. Especially as we grow older, it can be very difficult to acquire the skills and relationships and take the financial risk to make the switch.

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Degree change after recent graduation

Meg08
Meg08
I am 25 years old and recently graduated from college with a bachelors in communications. After graduating I realized that I hate my degree :( there is nothing I want to do with my degree. I have decided that I want to go back to school for nursing ( I was originally going to school for nursing when I first started college, but changed my major because I knew it was a very challenging degree and at the time I was young and wasn't focused enough). Although I know nursing is what I want to do I am terrified to work towards that degree. I know it is very competitive and I'm afraid I will fail at it. Are there any nurses or anyone in the health care field, or even anyone that has overcome this same fear that can give me any advice? I don't want to take the easy way out and settle for a job that I don't want, but I also don't want to become super overwhelmed and be a failure!
jeneiram
jeneiram
You're only a failure if you never try. I know that's an old saying, but it's also really true. The life experience and education you gleaned while pursuing your communications degree will help you be successful as you pursue nursing. Worst case scenerio - you find that nursing is very difficult and you will either choose to sop, or you will choose to keep pushing on until you complete the program. Either way, you still have at least one degree and you gave nursing another shot!

I say go for it. It's better to try, than to not try and never know and live with a big regret.
Truhal
Truhal
I gave up my career in IT to become a nurse. It had been my dream. It didn't work out. My grades were good, but I just couldn't take the stress of the career. Still, I think this is a good time for you to try it. I made my mistake by waiting too long. You're just 25. I was 45 by the time I started. At 25 you'll be able to determine if this is the career for you and if it isn't, you still have time to start over.

If you want to test it before investing the time and money, I would see if I could volunteer at the hospital. This will give you a chance to see the profession up close and personal. It would also allow you to talk to the nurses and get an idea of what it is like to be a nurse. I wish I had done it that way. Would have saved me a lot of disappointment.
futurescounselor
futurescounselor
I have a friend who went through something very similar! She decided to start volunteering in a hospital and recently got an administrative hospital job, which confirmed to her that she really did want to go back to school and go into the healthcare field!
Good luck with your new career choice!
soulsearcher83
soulsearcher83
Hospitals need marketing and communication majors too. You could try for those jobs but if nursing is in your heart, go for it. There aren't enough nurses despite competitive programs. Can't hurt to apply.