RN with a Growing Interest in Ops, Biz Dev, and Finance – Am I Crazy or Just Late?
Hi everyone,
I’m a fourth-year nursing student coming from a non-target school, and I know I’m not the traditional candidate here—but I’m hoping to get some real, unfiltered advice.
While I’ve spent the last few years training to become a registered nurse, I’ve come to realize that what I’m most passionate about isn’t just direct patient care—it’s fixing systems. I’m naturally drawn to operations, strategy, and solving complex problems at scale. I’m constantly asking: Why are we doing this like that? Can it be better? How can we make this work for more people, more efficiently?
That’s led me to become increasingly interested in the business side of healthcare—how companies grow, make decisions, and improve performance. Whether it’s through investment banking, corporate strategy, or corporate development, I want to help build and scale organizations, especially in the healthcare space.
Why I’m Pivoting
I’ve come to see that nursing, while noble and valuable, is incredibly limited in terms of career growth. You work long, often brutal shifts, and your career advancement is usually linear, slow, and capped unless you move into management or more schooling. I’ve worked 70+ hour weeks dealing with intense pressure, unhappy patients, burnt-out teams, and constant problems—and while I can handle it, I don’t want to be in the same place five years from now doing the same thing.
I want to pivot to a field where my work ethic actually leads somewhere—where if I grind, I can climb. That’s a huge part of why I’m drawn to investment banking. I know it’s intense, but it offers a real corporate ladder, top-tier comp, and a chance to work on projects bigger than myself. I want to be part of the deals that shape industries, learn from high-performers, and build real skills in finance and strategy.
What I Bring
- I might not have a finance degree, but I bring serious grit. I’ve done the 12-hour night shifts, the double weekends, the chaos, the difficult personalities.
- I genuinely enjoy soft skills—communicating clearly, problem-solving under pressure, de-escalating conflict, and connecting with people. I know this isn’t always highlighted in finance, but I believe it matters, especially on the client side.
- I’m actively working to build my finance knowledge—reading, studying modeling, and learning accounting basics in my own time. I’m not afraid of the work—I just need to know where to aim.
What I Need Help With
- Is investment banking or corporate strategy realistic for someone with my background (non-target, clinical, no finance internship)? If so, what roles should I actually target first to break in?
- What skills, certifications, or stepping stones should I focus on next? I’m all-in on learning—just need a roadmap from those who’ve done it.
- Has anyone made a similar leap (from healthcare/clinical work into banking, consulting, or strategy)? I’d love to hear your path, what worked, and what didn’t.
I know I’m not the cookie-cutter candidate. But I’m not looking for easy—I’m looking for possible. And I’m serious about this transition.
Appreciate any feedback, brutal honesty included.
Thanks in advance.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your pivot from nursing to fields like investment banking, corporate strategy, or business development is ambitious but not impossible. Here’s a roadmap tailored to your situation:
1. Is It Realistic?
2. Roles to Target First
3. Skills and Certifications
4. Actionable Steps
5. Success Stories
6. Challenges to Expect
Final Thoughts
Your background in nursing gives you a unique edge in healthcare-focused roles. While the path may be challenging, your grit, passion for problem-solving, and willingness to learn can set you apart. Focus on building a strong narrative, gaining relevant experience, and networking strategically. With persistence, your transition is absolutely possible.
Sources: Undergrads: Non-finance, non-target, not a problem. 5 Steps to get you started., Corporate Finance Q&A with accountingbyday, BJM85, STorIB, and djfiii, How to get into Investment Banking from complete non-target, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/can-i-get-into-investment-banking-from-non-target-school?customgpt=1, Leave Top Surgical Residency Program for Finance
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