Career Change, Need Advice Please, Healthcare to Finance

Hi everyone!

I recently stumbled upon this site while researching jobs and careers in the finance industry. I've been searching the forums and have found some very useful information.

At, 28, I'm at crossroads in my career. I was planning on a career in nursing, but due to some health issues (I can't wear gloves anymore), the healthcare industry no longer seems like a viable option.

I've always been interested in finance and related fields, and actually entered college believing I would be on that track. Long story short, I changed majors and have been working in healthcare (transplant medicine) for the past 5 years.

At the moment I'm trying to figure out my best course of action. On the advice of a couple friends I'm looking in to financial advising/wealth management to get my foot in the door, get some experiences, get my licenses, and eventually a CFA. I would use this and hopefully a somewhat developed network to transition into my long term goal, which would be equity research, where I could potentially put my healthcare/biology background to some use.

So my question for you guys out there, would this course of action be advisable? Or since I do have some work experience, would I be better served in trying to get my MBA from a decent school and go from there.

My only exposure to finance is an: introductory accounting and management course, macro economics, I manage my own Roth IRA and options investing account, and at the moment I'm helping my mom go make sense of her father's investment accounts that he passed on to her and her brothers. That and I'm going to be taking a financial accounting course at a community college. Other misc info: BS in Physiology from UCLA, GPA: 3.1, worked with athletes for 3 years. Haven't taken GMAT or GRE.

Also, would a self study program like Wall Street Prep or Breaking into Wall Street be beneficial for someone like me to get some exposure to finance material and show to potential employers that I'm serious about learning this field. I read in another post where a guy stated that it was especially valuable for him (besides networking) in transitioning into equity research to understand the valuation process, and be able to do his own research on companies and fields and be able to successful pitch them.

Thanks.