When thinking of potential interviewees for this blog, the career transition of Andrew Wickens immediately came to mind. Andrew has been a friend for the past 8 years, and when I first met him, he was working as an Accountant in St. John's, Newfoundland. In 2011, he quit his job and travelled to China and India to re-evaluate his life direction. In this interview, Andrew shares how he became an Accountant in the first place, and how he returned to Memorial University to become a Nurse. Andrew now works with chronically ill patients at a hospital in St. John's.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What drew you to an initial career in Accounting and how long did you work in this field?
Andrew Wickens: My first career in Accounting happened by chance and through connections. I have a life-long interest in mathematics, so that’s what I chose to study in university. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics in 2008. When I graduated, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do for work, or what my opportunities were. I had a friend whose father was the head of an accounting firm. His father was looking to fill a position, so my friend suggested I apply. I did and I got the job! My background in mathematics was helpful, but I had no experience in business nor accounting. Luckily, they were more than willing to give me the training I needed to advance in the field. Immersed in the profession, I was able to learn over the course of a year or two. I ended up working there for five years.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: At what point did you start thinking about a career shift? Why did you want to leave Accounting?
Andrew Wickens: I really enjoyed accounting as a profession, the work itself was great. My employer and all my coworkers were fantastic, but I think eventually the setting wasn’t stimulating enough for me. This was my first career, and I learned that a desk job was not for me. It became depressing to go to the same place every day, and sit at a desk, and use a computer. I realised that I needed something that was more exciting in a career. I didn’t quite know what at the time. I was lucky to have saved some money over my five years in accounting, so when I left the firm, I went travelling to refresh my mind.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What drew you to a career in nursing? Did you consider any other career paths?
Andrew Wickens: Even after my travels my career choices weren’t any clearer. I met with faculty at the math department to talk about my options for doing a master’s degree, but they said my marks weren’t up to par, and it wasn’t an option. I still had some money left from my savings, but it was dwindling, so during the next year, I returned to my former accounting firm part-time. During that time, I came up with the decision to be a teacher. I was always a people person, I liked talking to people, and I had a little experience tutoring math over the years. I applied and was accepted! At that time, I had met my former partner. She was very practical and highlighted that teachers have a tough career path in this province, and that it often takes years to secure a permanent position. She suggested I try nursing. I was excited about that idea, it would be stimulating, exciting, well-paid work. It would also be secure, and I would be on my feet, meeting new people every day, and helping those in need. I applied and was accepted. I notified the education department, that I would resign my seat in that program, as I would pursue a career in nursing.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Describe your experience in nursing school. Highlights? Challenges?
Andrew Wickens: Nursing school was a completely different experience than my first degree in mathematics. During my first degree, my attitude toward my studies was lazy. I enjoyed the courses, but I scraped by and did fine. When I entered nursing school, it was emphasized there were minimum grade requirements to remain in the program, and beyond that, we had to take our studies seriously as we would eventually be responsible for people’s lives. Right away, I knew the program was for me.
The staff and my classmates were all compassionate, intelligent individuals. Being a professional degree, the school ensures every student is competent to practice nursing upon graduation. The courses where diverse covering communication techniques, physiology and pathophysiology, and clinical skills. At the end of the first year while still fresh, we were thrust into our first of many clinical experiences where we would go into facilities to practice direct patient care. I was nervous at first, and it took time to become comfortable. What is great about the school is that throughout the program they instill students with the rich culture of the profession: one of empathy and caring.
A highlight for me didn’t come until the end of my third year of the four year program, when I finally felt comfortable with providing nursing care independently of my instructors. I had an opportunity to work in the emergency room, which I loved. Another highlight was getting to work in the Janeway for one of my clinical rotations. I’ve always liked kids and working in the Janeway is one of my goals, maybe in a couple years when I have more experience.
That being said nursing school was extremely demanding. The workload was very heavy at times, and I spent many late nights and early mornings studying. Some of the greatest challenges I faced came during clinical rotations in the hospitals. It is very difficult to know what to say when someone gets bad news. Sometimes, just being present for a patient can be comforting. Caring for patients who are suicidal is very difficult as well. Being that it’s a career of empathy, seeing young people struggle is difficult, but supporting them is rewarding.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Now that you've graduated from Nursing school, where are you working? Tell us a bit about your new job.
Andrew Wickens: I have been graduated for almost a year now, and I have been working ever since at St. Clare’s hospital in St. John’s. I work in the medicine program, so we care for patients who often have complications from chronic conditions. We care for people who have heart disease, diabetes, cancer, overdoses, kidney disease, liver disease, and more. The medicine program can be very demanding and very busy, but it is stimulating. When you come in to work, you need to be alert for your patients’ needs because, often times, they are very sick. That being said, I know I have made the right career choice. Even though work can be stressful, it is exciting, fast-paced, and I get to meet new people every day.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Looking back on your career shift, what is the main piece of advice you would pass on to others who are considering a change?
Andrew Wickens: Choosing a career can be difficult, but I believe you need a balance between doing something you enjoy, and doing something that is practical. I love being a nurse, and it is a stable career that pays well. The transition is the hardest part. If you are unhappy in your current career, then get out, but you need to be smart about it. One mistake I made was not saving money before I went back to school. I needed student loans, like many do, to get through nursing school. Even so, there were many times during school when I didn’t know if I was going to be able to pay my bills. If I had saved more money in accounting, I would have been more financially stable when I went back to school. So if you are going to make a career change, you need to plan financially first, but also take time to make the right career choice. Talking to people who work in a profession you are interested in is a wise idea too, and they can give you perspective.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What advice would you give to Nursing students specifically?
Andrew Wickens: To be a nurse you have to care about people. If you lack empathy, then it’s not for you. And be ready to work hard! Nursing school is unlike any other program, so have an open mind going in. There are the traditional classroom lectures, but you will also be working in the hospitals, and out in the community during school. Save some money if you can before you get started, because you will want to reward yourself after each semester.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Andrew Wickens: I would love to do a master’s degree, and return to the school to teach, or to possibly get involved in research. I would also love to work overseas at some point. That’s the beauty of this career, it is universal and portable. You can practise nursing all over the world. There are always people in need, and nursing is such a diverse career, that you have a wide variety of types of work to choose from. My other goals would be to work at a children’s hospital or an emergency room.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Fun Question: If you could try any other job for one day (imagining that you had the skills and qualifications), what would it be?
Andrew Wickens: Rock star of course! I would be the lead singer, but I still need a band!
Photos submitted by Andrew Wickens
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What drew you to an initial career in Accounting and how long did you work in this field?
Andrew Wickens: My first career in Accounting happened by chance and through connections. I have a life-long interest in mathematics, so that’s what I chose to study in university. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Pure Mathematics in 2008. When I graduated, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do for work, or what my opportunities were. I had a friend whose father was the head of an accounting firm. His father was looking to fill a position, so my friend suggested I apply. I did and I got the job! My background in mathematics was helpful, but I had no experience in business nor accounting. Luckily, they were more than willing to give me the training I needed to advance in the field. Immersed in the profession, I was able to learn over the course of a year or two. I ended up working there for five years.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: At what point did you start thinking about a career shift? Why did you want to leave Accounting?
Andrew Wickens: I really enjoyed accounting as a profession, the work itself was great. My employer and all my coworkers were fantastic, but I think eventually the setting wasn’t stimulating enough for me. This was my first career, and I learned that a desk job was not for me. It became depressing to go to the same place every day, and sit at a desk, and use a computer. I realised that I needed something that was more exciting in a career. I didn’t quite know what at the time. I was lucky to have saved some money over my five years in accounting, so when I left the firm, I went travelling to refresh my mind.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What drew you to a career in nursing? Did you consider any other career paths?
Andrew Wickens: Even after my travels my career choices weren’t any clearer. I met with faculty at the math department to talk about my options for doing a master’s degree, but they said my marks weren’t up to par, and it wasn’t an option. I still had some money left from my savings, but it was dwindling, so during the next year, I returned to my former accounting firm part-time. During that time, I came up with the decision to be a teacher. I was always a people person, I liked talking to people, and I had a little experience tutoring math over the years. I applied and was accepted! At that time, I had met my former partner. She was very practical and highlighted that teachers have a tough career path in this province, and that it often takes years to secure a permanent position. She suggested I try nursing. I was excited about that idea, it would be stimulating, exciting, well-paid work. It would also be secure, and I would be on my feet, meeting new people every day, and helping those in need. I applied and was accepted. I notified the education department, that I would resign my seat in that program, as I would pursue a career in nursing.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Describe your experience in nursing school. Highlights? Challenges?
Andrew Wickens: Nursing school was a completely different experience than my first degree in mathematics. During my first degree, my attitude toward my studies was lazy. I enjoyed the courses, but I scraped by and did fine. When I entered nursing school, it was emphasized there were minimum grade requirements to remain in the program, and beyond that, we had to take our studies seriously as we would eventually be responsible for people’s lives. Right away, I knew the program was for me.
The staff and my classmates were all compassionate, intelligent individuals. Being a professional degree, the school ensures every student is competent to practice nursing upon graduation. The courses where diverse covering communication techniques, physiology and pathophysiology, and clinical skills. At the end of the first year while still fresh, we were thrust into our first of many clinical experiences where we would go into facilities to practice direct patient care. I was nervous at first, and it took time to become comfortable. What is great about the school is that throughout the program they instill students with the rich culture of the profession: one of empathy and caring.
A highlight for me didn’t come until the end of my third year of the four year program, when I finally felt comfortable with providing nursing care independently of my instructors. I had an opportunity to work in the emergency room, which I loved. Another highlight was getting to work in the Janeway for one of my clinical rotations. I’ve always liked kids and working in the Janeway is one of my goals, maybe in a couple years when I have more experience.
That being said nursing school was extremely demanding. The workload was very heavy at times, and I spent many late nights and early mornings studying. Some of the greatest challenges I faced came during clinical rotations in the hospitals. It is very difficult to know what to say when someone gets bad news. Sometimes, just being present for a patient can be comforting. Caring for patients who are suicidal is very difficult as well. Being that it’s a career of empathy, seeing young people struggle is difficult, but supporting them is rewarding.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Now that you've graduated from Nursing school, where are you working? Tell us a bit about your new job.
Andrew Wickens: I have been graduated for almost a year now, and I have been working ever since at St. Clare’s hospital in St. John’s. I work in the medicine program, so we care for patients who often have complications from chronic conditions. We care for people who have heart disease, diabetes, cancer, overdoses, kidney disease, liver disease, and more. The medicine program can be very demanding and very busy, but it is stimulating. When you come in to work, you need to be alert for your patients’ needs because, often times, they are very sick. That being said, I know I have made the right career choice. Even though work can be stressful, it is exciting, fast-paced, and I get to meet new people every day.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Looking back on your career shift, what is the main piece of advice you would pass on to others who are considering a change?
Andrew Wickens: Choosing a career can be difficult, but I believe you need a balance between doing something you enjoy, and doing something that is practical. I love being a nurse, and it is a stable career that pays well. The transition is the hardest part. If you are unhappy in your current career, then get out, but you need to be smart about it. One mistake I made was not saving money before I went back to school. I needed student loans, like many do, to get through nursing school. Even so, there were many times during school when I didn’t know if I was going to be able to pay my bills. If I had saved more money in accounting, I would have been more financially stable when I went back to school. So if you are going to make a career change, you need to plan financially first, but also take time to make the right career choice. Talking to people who work in a profession you are interested in is a wise idea too, and they can give you perspective.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: What advice would you give to Nursing students specifically?
Andrew Wickens: To be a nurse you have to care about people. If you lack empathy, then it’s not for you. And be ready to work hard! Nursing school is unlike any other program, so have an open mind going in. There are the traditional classroom lectures, but you will also be working in the hospitals, and out in the community during school. Save some money if you can before you get started, because you will want to reward yourself after each semester.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Andrew Wickens: I would love to do a master’s degree, and return to the school to teach, or to possibly get involved in research. I would also love to work overseas at some point. That’s the beauty of this career, it is universal and portable. You can practise nursing all over the world. There are always people in need, and nursing is such a diverse career, that you have a wide variety of types of work to choose from. My other goals would be to work at a children’s hospital or an emergency room.
Elena Fenrick, Career Paths Travelled: Fun Question: If you could try any other job for one day (imagining that you had the skills and qualifications), what would it be?
Andrew Wickens: Rock star of course! I would be the lead singer, but I still need a band!
Photos submitted by Andrew Wickens
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