Second Career

NurseWeasel · Jan 12, 2003

I'm on my 2nd career. I have a BBA (business admin) and have worked secretarial type jobs for about 7 years. I also was a RMA (medical assistant) for about 5 years. I started out college wanting to be an RN but various things conspired against me and I got talked out of it.

I was lined up to go to PA school once about 12 years ago, and also accepted into an associates RN program at one point. Again, life intervened. This time, I'm doing it. Nothing can stop me now!

Classes start Monday. I've downloaded my syllabi and have been reading ahead.

I'm 35. I'm headed toward the 19th anniversary, have an 18 y/o high school senior and a 7th grader. Mister is just as committed to making this happen as I am. Because I've "done college" before, have gotten past the little-kid stage of motherhood, have worked full time and have a committed spouse, I know I am going to succeed and I'm going to have the time of my life.

Bring it on! :roll

memphispanda, RN · Jan 12, 2003

Hopefully nursing will be my last career! I have a BA in social science. I have spent about 11 years teaching in daycare centers, anywhere from infants on up, most time spent with 2 and 4 year olds. I have also worked for the post office, for an accountant, for a credit bureau, and in a paint store.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 12, 2003

I was a violinist for an off-Broadway musical company until I got pregnant with my first child and decided to settle down. The travel was great, but I found stage actors to be very annoying people to work with. I had been a Rehab Tech when I was younger, and my previous college degree was useless. So, I decided I had what it took to be a nurse, and went to nursing school. My oldest daughter that I left the music field for is now a very good violinist herself, and is planning on attending the same performing arts schools I went to. But, she states emphatically that she absolutely doesn't want to be a nurse. She says it's gross.:chuckle

cpgrn · Jan 12, 2003

I have done so many things - stay at home mom for a while, then owned a small business, sold advertising, worked as a secretary. This is something that I always wanted to do. Graduated at 41 and I've been an RN ever since. You can do so much with this degree. I have never worked nights, weekends or holidays and if everything works out I never will.

CashewLPN, LPN · Jan 13, 2003

cool...

--Barbara

howie122832 · Jan 13, 2003

I was a Dental/Oral surgery assistant.....

Ortho_RN · Jan 13, 2003

My first career was as a Certified Veterinary Technician... :)

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2003

I am on my second degree but my first real career. I just graduated May 2002 with a B.S. in biology, considered PA school or working in a lab, but ultimately went into nursing because of the shortage. I graduate from my accelerated BSN program Sept. 2003.

Jenny P · Jan 13, 2003

This is my first and only career. I have changed the areas of nursing through the years, though; started out in newborn nursery, the went into county health nursng, agency work for a year and now am in critical care for 30 years. I'm looking at going back to school right now to eventually teach nursing. My body is just not able to take this kind of work anymore.

Genista, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2003

What a fun to read topic! Loved reading all the posts. I entered nursing at age 27 after completing my BSN. I had worked various jobs before that, but no real "career." I worked in the foodservice industry, production, and national parks/park service seasonal work. Now I'm 32 and am amazed to find I don't want to stay in nursing anymore. It has been rich with rewards in many ways, but too stressful and not living up to what I'd hoped it would be. I'm changing careers!

Yee-ha!

I am headed toward elementary education. I am starting my credential program this month. I want to teach kids. I must be crazy, since there are tons of budget cuts to education, and I will be taking a huge pay cut as well. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, jumping from one helping profession to another, but I can't help it. I'm going with the "Do what you love and the money will follow" philosophy. If that doesn't work out, I'm on to my next endeavor! ;-) One thing that I have learned from being a nurse- when talking to elderly patients who had "many" careers- you don't have to stay in one field if you don't want to. I think it's great if you can find that one career you love. But if not, isn't it grand to be able to try different things, rather than stay in one field and be miserable? Hope you all find happiness in your life & careers, nursing or not.