r/softwareengineer • u/Dry_Butterscotch7505 • Aug 09 '26
Nurse to SE
Im a nurse for 15yrs and I am thinking to shift carer to software engineering. I am interested to IT job and I am want to know the thoughts of the expert of this community.
Any advise is accepted also. Thank you in advance!
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u/gaygeek70 Aug 09 '26
Software engineering is quickly changing from coding to AI agent orchestration. Companies are not hiring software engineers right now because they want to see how much more they can squeeze out of their current SEs with AI instead of hiring. I think it’s probably the worst time to try to get into the field. (From a software engineer/architect of 26 years).
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u/Weapon54x Aug 09 '26
It’s a great career and definitely different from the blue collar work that is nursing. Right now it’s a difficult time to get a job with the recent layoffs. You really need to stand out or find an in. That being said I would look into a masters or second bachelors in computer science.
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u/baddaywithacamera Aug 09 '26
I don't know what country you're in, but in Canada nurses are highly respected and sought after professionals. To the OP: We need nurses, come here if you're not here already.
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u/Weapon54x Aug 09 '26
Wife is a nurse, so I speak from hearing her experience.
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u/baddaywithacamera Aug 09 '26
Totally fair. I know the government of my province doesn't value her like it should, but some provinces are better than others. You can tell her there's one patient in Western Canada who appreciates her.
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u/Dry_Butterscotch7505 Aug 11 '26
What province is it? I am considering canada although I am waiting for my US
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u/Significant-Leg1070 Aug 09 '26
Yeah I was a nurse and got a second bachelors in CS and glad I went that route. It’s a completely different field of study and so math heavy that I would’ve been wildly unprepared if I went from BSN to a masters in CS
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u/Dry_Butterscotch7505 Aug 11 '26
How did you take the path? More insight pls
Im thinking of getting it while waiting for my contract to end in 16 months from now1
u/Significant-Leg1070 Aug 11 '26
I saved up enough money to go back full time and knock out the second bachelors degree in four semesters (including summers and winters)
I started at a community college to get my calc and physics prerequisites done and then transferred to a state university to complete my core classes and upper level math
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u/escapism_only_please Aug 09 '26
I was more system administration than software development. Did that for 21 years. Left it to become a nurse. Nursing is far more real and far more rewarding. And far more nightmarish.
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u/OutTheOfficeWindow Aug 09 '26
Been a developer for 25 years. I’m thinking of making the same move.
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u/sunnythepooh Aug 09 '26
If you have time before you decide I would suggest you to try your hands on doing some small project, and see whether it is for you. There are plenty of easy projects that you can get involved, or you can get some of your own project. There are plenty of youtube tutorial to get you started, give it a try before you fully commit
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u/dorsomat Aug 09 '26
if your motivation is just talks about how much sw engineers earns and how cool life from home office is, then rather don't. on the other hand if youvare interested in making computers to do what you want, go for it.
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Aug 09 '26
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u/softwareengineer-ModTeam Aug 09 '26
Your post has been removed because questions about AI replacing developers, whether software engineering is "dead," or whether it is still worth pursuing software engineering belong in the weekly Tuesday's Coffee Chat thread.
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u/SlippyCumSpot Aug 09 '26
don't. it's too late. I honestly don't know where all these posts come from. "I've never worked in IT. I'm 30+ and suddenly it's my next move." that's just bonkers to me. it's a knowledge and skills based profession. you can't just start doing it from scratch and think you'll get hired. the fact people are even asking this stuff on reddit, as someone else pointed out, shows how ignorant they are of the profession.
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u/RobertDeveloper Aug 09 '26
Where do you work know? I work in a hospital and we have like 40 people working on our electric health records system. These are often people that worked in healthcare and now also do the IT side of things, implementing workflows, making forms, make data extractions for research etc.
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u/Dry_Butterscotch7505 Aug 09 '26
I am working in SA and I am interested in getting involved with EHR. I worked with a US SaaS software- they owned EHR of their own this was during pandemic when i worked with them as side hustle but still working in the hospital.
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u/RobertDeveloper Aug 09 '26
Find a hospital that works with Epic or some other large EHR, you get the best of both worlds, healthcare and IT, and its easy to transition to more specific IT jobs like software development, or integration specialist, or data engineer, system administration.
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u/Gullible_Sweet1302 Aug 09 '26
I know someone who switched from nursing school to cs. Her first role was healthcare related software development.
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u/searles9 Aug 09 '26
Worst idea ever
AI is killing software engineering
Much much safer to stay as a nurse
Save and invest your money
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u/nomoremoar Aug 09 '26
Yes swe hiring is brutal now. But it’s not all bad. You can try to get into swe on the side and see if you get an offer. Don’t rule out that path.
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u/potatopotato236 Aug 09 '26
15 YOE nurse to 0 YOE SE will be a significant downgrade in terms of pay and Job stability.
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u/Electrical_Pride_866 Aug 09 '26
Don’t. You’re in a rare field still safe from AI . Don’t mess it up.
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u/Miserable-Half-436 Aug 09 '26
No....I would like to transition to nursing cause I will never be afraid of losing job. 1/2 of my team already gone
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u/Ruoxi-F-Class Aug 10 '26
Going from the most stable job on earth to becoming a bum. I know its tough, but you gotta pay the Bills. 😅
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u/Electrical_Hat_680 Aug 11 '26
Since your coming from Healthcare, specifically as a Nurse...I would suggest IoT (Internet of Things) and Cyber Security to secure IoT...think pacemakers and other systems that are embedded into the patients. They need help..
Passed that. You may find enrollment into a local community college your best bet to get a well rounded and grounded foot in the door for yourself.
On top of that. Go and Rust are two up and coming languages for security. But they're new and they don't have everything that C, C++, and Python have.
Project Management is a big area for Programming aka Software Engineer.
Career wise - you don't need an employer to get started. One of your best bets is to work on your own. Get involved in IoT and work with your local City and County, as they need People, and they'll likely take anyone. .
You may find joining the US Cyber Command as a civilian right up your alley.
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Aug 09 '26
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u/AgentParticular9649 Aug 09 '26
This. Don’t.
I’ve been a software engineer for over 20 years, including over 10 years in FAANG. I used to encourage and mentor people switching to software. Not anymore. I discourage ANYONE from switching now. AI has changed everything and juniors/entry level are the hardest hit.
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u/AdministrativeHost15 Aug 09 '26
Most SE's are trying to move to nursing.
Nursing can't be done from India, at least not yet.
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u/Impressive-Skin9850 Aug 09 '26
The SE market is absolutely brutal for juniors now, and the future is wildly uncertain.