Two of the 51 students graduating from Central Maine Medical Center’s College of Nursing last month shared a special distinction: they were lawyers who had already worked for large and prestigious companies and agencies. Jean Nichols Wood and Peter Michaud are now nurses, having graduated and passed their licensing exams. No more pencils, no more books . . . no more trials, legal decisions, conference calls or negotiated contracts. They’re ready to help people in a different way.

Age:

Jean:49

Peter: 61

Resident of:

Jean: Sabattus

Peter: Cape Elizabeth

Of course, the biggest question is “Why?” Why, after being a lawyer for years, did you take this huge step in a different direction? What were some of the factors that made you say to yourself “This is the right time to become a nurse”:

Jean: It wasn’t as much that this was the right time, but for me it was the right choice. It was coming full circle to a career that I feel passionate about and enjoy. Being a lawyer enhanced my communication, negotiation and analytical skills, and gave me opportunities to work with interesting and complex clients, but nursing is much more immediate and personally gratifying.

Peter: During my entire legal career I always had one foot in the medical world. With a daughter out of college and a son near graduation, I felt it was a good time to retire from law and put the other foot in.

Any family or friends call you crazy?

Jean: My mother, but only at first, then she was very supportive.

Peter: No. They’ve all been very complimentary and supportive. Oh, and some are a bit jealous.

We’ve all watched “Grey’s Anatomy,” so we know that most people go into the health profession to get access to pharmaceuticals and to get cozy with a staff member in an empty hospital room. Without outing yourself, um . . . how’s that going?

Jean: Well, yeah, why else would we put ourselves through the torture of nursing school but for those reasons? I reserve my cozy time for my husband, however.

Peter: Now THAT would be crazy. Besides, I’m not much of a TV watcher, and I’ve never seen “Grey’s Anatomy.” I’m going into operating room nursing, which is neither private nor pharmaceutical-intensive. To answer your question seriously, the activities you mention would be highly inappropriate and unethical, as well as illegal.

OK, seriously, so far, is nursing and health care what you thought it would be? Biggest surprises?

Jean: It is great to be liked by your patients and their family members. The trust that they place in nurses is phenomenal and awe-inspiring.

Peter: No real surprises. Since I haven’t actually started my job yet, I haven’t seen that world as it really is. A student’s view is always skewed to some degree.

What was the hardest thing about nursing school? Where did you struggle the most?

Jean: The hardest part of nursing school for me was the testing. Life just doesn’t happen in multiple choice scenarios, and I could always argue that at least two answers were equally correct (but perhaps that was the lawyer in me).

Peter: As lawyers, we’re used to thinking things through word-by-word. I was surprised to be told not to “over-think” things.

Your family? Ice cream? Therapy? Coffee? What got you through?

Jean: All of the above, plus lots of chocolate and the occasional alcoholic beverage (for medicinal purposes only, of course), but most importantly, it was my classmates. Without fail they were there to give moral support, share information, listen and provide the all-important perspective; that this too, shall pass, and that which does not kill us makes us stronger (and the honey badger is the fiercest animal in the world . . .).

Peter: Family and friends were most helpful. Life experience helped, too.

Fess up: Do you miss lawyering?

Jean: Nope. Nursing feels like a much better fit for my personality; it just comes naturally.

Peter: No.

Advice to someone thinking about switching careers?

Jean: Life is short, do what makes you happy. If you do pursue nursing, make sure you have a strong support network in place, whether it be family, friends, co-workers, because it is a very intense two years.

Peter: Do it.

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