Also Ran Careers... what did you decide against before choosing nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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Before I started nursing I gave three careers a lot of thought and did a fair amount of research on all of them. I already have a bachelor's so I was thinking of law school/law enforcement, med school or nursing school.

I've heard a lot of other people say they thought about doing or even did law enforcement prior to nursing school. I'm curious if there is a lot of commonality between what we almost did and what we chose to do.

What were your second and third career choices before you decided on nursing?

Jenn

hey! me too! i wanted to take law enforcement (but my dad was against it)...i did take pre-med for about a year (but thought...this will take a loooong time to finish :) )...ended up going to nursing school.

i thought i was the only one who had that career thought. though i did wanted to be a nun when i was younger. :)

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I wanted to be a professional baker (decided if I did, I would end up weighing 300 lbs!) or run my own day care. (someday when I have children I may still do something like that)

A few years ago, an RN friend of mine and myself dreamt up an idea for a daycare type center for sick children...staffed by nurses, designed to give parents who are providing constant care to their children a much-deserved respite. However, upon checking into this, the insurance would have been astronomical, as well as the costs for the equipment we would have needed. I was a preemie (2 lbs. 8 ozs. at birth) with many chronic health problems and my mother cared for me for years, until I had a life-saving kidney surgery that turned my life around at age six. I am sure there were many times she needed a break, so that is what inspired my idea. I've hung it up for now, but it's still always been a little dream of mine...who knows? Someday it could really happen!

:) Kacy

Specializes in Cardiology.

When I first started college, I was a business major. Didn't know what I wanted to do with it, but it sounded like a good choice. A few semesters later, I changed my mind. Many of my friends were going to school for computers/technology and I was convinced that's what I wanted to do too since it was a rapidly growing field. After 1 class I decided no, not the career for me. And then it came to me, I wanted to be a nurse. My whole life I've been a nurturer. I was the oldest of 4 children and practically raised my brothers. I volunteered at a local nursing home, passing out water + ice, taking them for walks in their wheelchairs, just providing companionship. It always felt great whenever I left. In school I entered an essay contest about who my hero was. Simple enough for me, Clara Barton. What an incredible woman! (BTW I did win that contest :) ). It's like my whole life nursing has been staring me in the face, but it took me a few years to realize it. I have never pursued something with as much passion as I have now for nursing. I know nursing is the right choice for me.

...Jennifer...

Well, nursing is still not my first choice of career, but with my new situation with a child, veterinary school is out of my reach. However, I still love diagnosing, caring for people, etc., but animals will always have a special place in my heart.

R.

When I was 6, I wanted to be a truckdrive( I saw a woman truckdriver on tv and thought that would be so cool). At age7 - my litter sister (who was 3yrs),was injured in a freak accident and she stayed in icu for 5 days. I wasnt allowed to visit with her because I was too young. I was so envious of the nurses and staff because they got to see her as much as they wanted (this is from a kids point of view.) Then, my parents removed life support and the next time I saw her was in a casket.(They werent going to have open casket - but I insisted that I had to see her and tell her bye.) From then on, I wanted to be a nurse...so that I could help other people like I wanted to help my sister. I will be starting my new job as a pediatric icu nurse Monday. In the very same ICU she died in.

When I was 6, I wanted to be a truckdrive( I saw a woman truckdriver on tv and thought that would be so cool). At age7 - my litter sister (who was 3yrs),was injured in a freak accident and she stayed in icu for 5 days. I wasnt allowed to visit with her because I was too young. I was so envious of the nurses and staff because they got to see her as much as they wanted (this is from a kids point of view.) Then, my parents removed life support and the next time I saw her was in a casket.(They werent going to have open casket - but I insisted that I had to see her and tell her bye.) From then on, I wanted to be a nurse...so that I could help other people like I wanted to help my sister. I will be starting my new job as a pediatric icu nurse Monday. In the very same ICU she died in.

What a touching story! You know first hand the comfort that you can bring to a grieving family. I wish you the best in your new job.

Specializes in Neurology, Neurosurgerical & Trauma ICU.

Well, I actually used to be a police officer in my former life. I loved every day of it and it kills me each time I go to the city I used to work in. (Long story about why I left.) Yes, the lifestyles are similar in many ways. I also used to work in trucking, at the same time as an officer (was only part time on the p.d.), as an office manager. WOW....I'm a really well-rounded person! LOL :chuckle

Truth be told....having been a police officer kinda helps in nursing. For one, everyone comes running to me when there's "big trouble" with family or whatever! :chuckle Also, I can diffuse a situation like no one's business....and if need be, I'm ready to rumble! :chuckle Just kidding! But, I do know how to defend myself, if the need would arise.....which we all should know!!!

Well, I actually used to be a police officer in my former life. I loved every day of it and it kills me each time I go to the city I used to work in. (Long story about why I left.)

I worked in Law Enforcement for 9 years before I was a Nurse. I had to leave Law Enforcement because of an on the job injury and the refusal of the Police Department to transfer me to a non-patrol position-such as Dispatching. The funny thing was that they paid me to work in the Dispatching Dept for 2 years, prior to my leaving, but told the worker's comp judge that I wasn't qualifed to do that job. Go figure:rolleyes:

Law Enforcement will probably always my first love, as far as a career is concerned.

I thought about going to Law School, but we have a saturation of Lawyers in California and it's very difficult to get work as a new grad Lawyer.

I'm going for my lpn right now, but I'm considering going for my english degree afterwards. Go to school on a part time basis and then maybe teach high school english in a few years and do nursing per diem work in the summer. Don't really know. The opportunities are endless.

When I was 6, I wanted to be a truckdrive( I saw a woman truckdriver on tv and thought that would be so cool). At age7 - my litter sister (who was 3yrs),was injured in a freak accident and she stayed in icu for 5 days. I wasnt allowed to visit with her because I was too young. I was so envious of the nurses and staff because they got to see her as much as they wanted (this is from a kids point of view.) Then, my parents removed life support and the next time I saw her was in a casket.(They werent going to have open casket - but I insisted that I had to see her and tell her bye.) From then on, I wanted to be a nurse...so that I could help other people like I wanted to help my sister. I will be starting my new job as a pediatric icu nurse Monday. In the very same ICU she died in.

ER Slave,

Good luck to you in your new job. You will be a great asset to those children and families that will be in the PICU. I wish you the very best and thanks for sharing your heartfelt story. Bless you.

I wanted to be a teacher, (6th grade), doing costume design on the side (it made sense in high school, ok :) )

I was enrolled in a nice little teaching college when I decided to take a year off and live with missionaries in Africa, i tried my hand at teaching in a village school- goodness- not for me! :chuckle To get out of teaching I started volunteering in some free clinics- what do you know, i liked it. Now I'm taking my NCLEX in three weeks

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