Should I switch from accounting to a 1-year nursing program?
Switching from accounting to nursing involves weighing the short-term loss of wages and compound interest against the long-term earning potential and career time investment of each path. This uncertainty makes it difficult to decide whether to finish studying for a CPA or reset careers to become a nurse.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Asking accountants for their salary history and career timelinesDid this help you?
- 2Weighing job security and career paths against time and effort requiredDid this help you?
- 3Searching the subreddit for past discussionsDid this help you?
- 4Weighing the physical demands of standing shifts against desk workDid this help you?
- 5Considering accelerated BSN programs or direct-to-MSN programsDid this help you?
- 6Calculating the loss of wages and compound interestDid this help you?
- 7asking experienced professionals in online forums for opinions on pay, job security, and career flexibilityDid this help you?
- 8comparing lifestyle aspects such as wearing scrubs versus office clothingDid this help you?
- 9Networking and reaching out to former teams for internal movesDid this help you?
- 10Weighing remote work versus hybrid commutesDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’m currently attending college and doing my pre-reqs for either nursing or a radiology program. I’m starting to get second thoughts and im extremely stressed about it.”source ↗
“I am trying to decide if I should swap majors and start doing business administration ( associate accounting degree) and then get a bachelors in business administration (finance).”source ↗
“I need all of the advice i can get.”source ↗
“I'm really torn on the direction to go because I'm just not sure if there is a good white-collar career path that will provide me stability at this point.”source ↗
“Unfortunately the job/tech industry now has turned really bad and I got burned out severely.”source ↗
“Been thinking about leaving accounting for nursing at 30 and do a career reset, any thoughts?”source ↗
“In my 30s as well and in the same boat.”source ↗
“I've wanted to do this ever since starting but the loss of wages and compound interest deterred me.”source ↗
“I’m in same predicament and nearing 30…”source ↗
“Should I go back to school? It’s just a 1-year program to get my nursing degree, or should I stick with getting my CPA?”source ↗
“I already have Becker and have been studying for the CPA, but I’m starting to question whether the earning potential is worth the amount of time it takes to actually get there.”source ↗
“I’m genuinely trying to figure out which path makes the most sense financially and career-wise.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 6Bookkeeping vs accounting qualifications for a beginner
- 7Choosing between accounting and law career
- 6Is switching to an accounting major worth it?
- 5Which entry-level accounting job offer should I take?
- 27What other career paths are there with an accounting degree?
- 2Is a master of accountancy worth it under the new 120-credit CPA rule?