From IT to healthcare: 'I finally followed my heart'

Johnny made a career switch from IT to healthcare with Summa's Nursing IG program. He's perfectly suited to that. "The work gives me satisfaction and energy. And there are plenty of opportunities for growth."

Johnny (37) actually wanted to work in healthcare after high school. But the salary held him back, so he opted for business administration and moved into IT, working in account support, among other roles. "The work was mainly about numbers and targets. One day, my wife asked if that was really where I was at. I'm a caring person, a people person. I was already a volunteer at Archipel Zorggroep, helping someone with an intellectual disability. That gave me a lot of satisfaction. Besides, we were having a baby, and I wanted to work less. All those things came together. I thought: I'm just going to do it!"

Johnny opted for a work-study program: working two days at Archipel and attending school one day a week at Summa . “The days were sometimes long, but I found the lessons very interesting. They aligned well with my work, allowing me to apply what I learned immediately.” After that program, he continued his nursing training, again at Summa. “I now work in elderly care at the Anna Zorggroep. I am eager to learn and want to delve deeper into medical conditions and procedures. I also want to gain experience in a hospital or rehabilitation clinic in the future.”

Johnny is happy he made the switch to healthcare. "This work suits me. It took some getting used to at first. I still used management jargon like implementing and facilitating. I also often went too fast. But especially with elderly people, you have to be calm and adjust your pace to their needs." His colleagues are also happy with him. "If only because I'm good with computers," he laughs. "Now, I'm also the point of contact for families within the team and I guide students. I give instructions and grade assignments. Because I'm still in school myself, I know how it works."

He recommends a career in healthcare to everyone. "It's important to follow your heart and do what you love. These days, you don't have to worry about the money anymore: salaries have improved significantly. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for professional development and growth." He's also enthusiastic about Summa. "The instructors are truly dedicated. They guide you at your own pace and are there for you if you're struggling. I really appreciate that."