I was a ______ prior to being a nurse/student nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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I have seen TONS of people who have said "nursing is my second, third or fourth career." As I have become more and more curious I was wanting to start a thread to see what areas and walks of life all the nurses and student nurses had before embarking on this incredible medical journey.

I will go first.

I was a TRUCK DRIVER prior to being a nursing student..

NEXT.

I am excited to see what you all did in your PAST LIVES>>>>>

Specializes in Corrections.

I got a PhD in Comparative Literature, the most useless degree in the world! And now I work in a maximum security prison. What a life!

I'm happy, though, and I LOVE my job, really! Every patient has a story in this place...

Specializes in OBSTERTICS-POSTPARTUM,L/D AND HIGH-RISK.

Teenager!

It's very interesting seeing what ppl did before nursing. So many experiences and so much to offer!

I was an animal health technologist in my 20's (very interesting but I needed more and this field has a traditional high turnover rate).

A Forester in my 30's - Loved it but in time Global changes, Global warming changes, and government cuts = no jobs! Actually I did consider nursing at this time but it was the 90's and nursing jobs were being cut like crazy So....

Social services certificate but .......OMG more government cuts! (and not enough money to live on).

And now I am just about done my Accelerated Nursing degree in my mid 40's.

There are a lot of jobs in nursing and it's well paid enough for a roof, food and extra. Continuous learning which is great. Doing something positive and interesting.

Yes stress too - but after an unfortunate stint in retail due to no jobs in my profession and no choice - I found that (not much to my suprise) low paying, retail jobs require a lot of work and are very stressful and have no benefits etc.. (and many jobs are stressfull) So that was a no brainer to go into debt to go back to school!

NB remember to be nice to retail ppl - especially at christmas as ppl go all freaky at that time of year. :icon_wink:

I was a crew trainer @ McDonald's, the Avon & Mary Kay Lady, and was the manager of a beauty supply store before I became a student nurse. My back up plans, if nursing doesn't work out, are event planning, business administration, and motivational speaking. Nursing is my 1st love since I was 4, so I'm going to do my best to make it work!!!

I showed this to one of my preceptors and she ate it up. I really enjoy seeing just how different all of us were, in career choices, before turning to nursing. AMAZING>>>>>

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.
I showed this to one of my preceptors and she ate it up. I really enjoy seeing just how different all of us were, in career choices, before turning to nursing. AMAZING>>>>>

I too get a real charge, a real kick sharing this website to others! It's wonderful to see their eyes bug out and observe their level of intensity increase when reading these threads. Hooked another, blimey!

Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I ( if I can remember all...lol)( not in order)

*worked in 3 pizza places (cook, driver,manager you name it I did it)

*retail

*Mcdonalds

*Waitress

*SAHM

*Military wife

*ER admitting

I think that may be it.......

I was an auto mechanic, for 18 years. Before that I was a roofer for about 10 years.

Specializes in Med_Surg, Renal, intermediate care.

this is fun!

I worked at Target for 9 years. Thank God it's over!

I was a lawyer prior to becoming a student nurse (I'm graduating in May). I have to say, I'm enjoying nursing school much more than law school.

As someone who was a legal secretary/assistant for 20+ years, I think you are choosing a much more honorable profession in nursing! :) No offense to any lawyers out there but that's my personal opinion! Nurses care about their patients and well-being, lawyers are just plain moody and arrogant -- at least the ones I was around.

Good luck to you! :)

Specializes in OR.

This is a great post. I was a professional Ballerina, then worked in the hardware business as assistant manager, then went into the dry cleaning industry as assistant manager, then taught ballet at a local dance school, then went into nursing.

Yeah all of the 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th and 5th careers in nursing!:smiley_aa:w00t::balloons:

In alphabetical order over the last 40+ years... that I can remember LOL

  • Baby-sitter (while still in high school)
  • Barber
  • Computer programmer/analyst
  • Construction laborer/painter
  • Cook
  • Counselor
  • Dishwasher
  • Grocery store clerk
  • Home health attendant
  • Housekeeper/janitor
  • Landscape yard worker/gardner
  • Laundry worker
  • Lifeguard
  • Newspaper delivery person
  • Sales person
  • Security guard
  • Soda fountain server
  • Taxicab driver
  • Teacher (private school)
  • Telemarketer
  • Truck-driver
  • USN Missile Technician

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