Possible Career Change...

I was just wondering if anyone could give me any input on getting a degree related to computers. I just graduated with my Associate Degree in Nursing, but nursing is just not for me. I am going to try switching the type of nursing that I am doing, but I am pretty sure this job is not for me. Anyway, I have been looking at Toledo University's online computer degree programs and was just wondering if it is even possible to get into working with computers. I like working with computers and thought that might be a good field for me.

What type of career are you looking for? Programming, technical support, sales, etc.?

Congratulations on finishing your nursing degree. I'm so sorry that you've spent so much time and money on a career choice, only to find that you don't think you'll like it.

Nursing can be a very rewarding field. I've been in the Operating Room for 25 years, first as a Surgical Technologist, and now as a nurse. Nursing in the O.R. is much more technical than floor nursing. Your patient ratio is 1:1 (unless, of course, you're doing a C-section...there's the baby or babies.) Operating room nursing has been an extremely rewarding career for me. I honestly never would have finished nursing school, if I hadn't known that I was going right back to the O.R.!!! I've never been a talky, people oriented person, so I always had difficulty striking up conversations with patients on the floor. I also always felt like I was being pulled 10 different directions, and it was hard to multi-task the way a floor nurse has to. In the O.R. I can focus on one patient, one surgery, for however long it takes. Don't get me wrong, we can be 'crazy busy' in the O.R. (and usually are) but it's a whole different type of nursing. Before you decide to give up on nursing as a career, talk to one of your instructors and see if there is a way you can observe in one of the O.R.s in your area. There's many sub-specialties in O.R. nursing that can be fascinating....Orthopedic surgery, OB/Gyn, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Open Heart surgery, ENT & Eye surgery, Urology, Pediatric and Plastic surery, if one doesn't tickle your fancy, certainly another would!

Good luck! I hope you are able to find something that you enjoy. Liking what you do for a living is 90% of the battle!!!

I'm just leaving the official computer world for Information Assurance (aka Security). Computers really made me into a bitter person...well really it was the user support end of it and yes, with computers at some point you WILL have to deal with end user support.

The one thing I would look into if I were you is a way to couple your nursing degree with computers. Since I do not have a health background at all, I could never get into supporting hospitals...they never responded to my resume. However if you know the systems hospitals use, definitely use that to your advantage to support hospital networks and programs.

Also you may want to consider learning the HIPAA laws to go along with computers/hospitals. Again if this sounds interesting to you.

Thank you everyone for your responses! I thought about trying to combine my nursing with computers, but I just wasn't sure how to. I have been focused on nursing for so long I just can't think of anything else to do! I quitting my job that I have now as soon as I can get another job offer. I am staying in nursing for now (not many other options that pay as well in my area), but I am changing my specialty. I had an interview with Hospice Care Wed. and I have an interview with an OB floor on Mon. Total opposite ends of the spectrum, but they were the only clinicals that I enjoyed in school. I am just so tired of feeling sick every day before I go to work.

what kind of nursing are you doing now and what don't you like about it?

I'm in nursing school now.
I have heard that the operating room deals with machines a lot, which might appeal to you if you like computers.
Especially nurse anesthetists, who are the highest paid nurses. (but you need a masters degree for it...)

Originally Posted by abnihon

what kind of nursing are you doing now and what don't you like about it?

I'm in nursing school now.
I have heard that the operating room deals with machines a lot, which might appeal to you if you like computers.
Especially nurse anesthetists, who are the highest paid nurses. (but you need a masters degree for it...)

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I am a Med/Surg nurse, but I work for one of the busiest hospitals in WV (525 beds now, I think) and the stress is getting to me. I honestly don't remember the last night that I had a "good" night. I realize that as a nurse, you're gonna be busy, but I don't feel like I am doing my patients any good. I liked OR nursing (I was so afraid I was going to pass out in my clinicals, but I liked it, lol), but it's not for me.