what did you do in your former life?

lmessajumper · Nov 22, 2006

I was a waitress and sometimes bartender for over 10 years, a travel agent for 6 months, and a reservations agent/front desk clerk for Holiday Inn for 3 years. I returned to school for nursing at 28 and have been a traveling nurse now for 7 years. My plan for later life is to retire with a small art gallery, maybe some studio rentals for artists. My varied background has certainly helped in my practice as I have worked and dealt with all types of people and find that I seem to be more open-minded than some of my coworkers who have only been in nursing.

Pleaides · Nov 22, 2006

I was a flight attendant for 24 years, and would be today except for american airlines dirty tricks. Now I work in the ER, but am considering going to OB.

Rockit · Nov 22, 2006

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and have been doing art seriously for 15 years. Couldn't believe the number of fellow nursing students I met with previously established careers and advanced degrees.

twotrees2 · Nov 23, 2006

This is for all those who have changed careers....what did you do before you decided to become a nurse??? This is just to satisfy my own curiosity....I am currently working in retail and have started prereqs for a nursing program. However, I'm also considering becoming an elementary teacher...I thought if people would share their stories it might shed a little light on my own situation. Thanks....

hmmm - well way back when i was a trouble maker lol - then a dishwasher, waitress and order taker at a mcd's - i was also a housekeeping lady. when i grew out of my troubled teens i went to be a cna - worked there for several yrs and went on to nursing school. since then i have dabbled in teaching autistic teen children and worked in a factory warehouse for xmas monies, in home day care and home health with peds and chemo . decided to go back into nursing home and love it there ( well not the place but love my residents lol) there isn't a yr in my school growing up book that doesnt say i will be a nurse from kgarten on - except oe yr i added i wanted to be a navy wave as well as a nurse.

beck_79 · Nov 23, 2006

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and have been doing art seriously for 15 years. Couldn't believe the number of fellow nursing students I met with previously established careers and advanced degrees.

I also have a BFA. I've been working as an artist's assistant for the past 5 years, and while I feel lucky to have a job in the arts, it's just too difficult to make ends meet. Plus, having learned about all aspects of being an artist with one's own business, I've decided it's definitely not something I want pursue on my own. I can't wait to do art just for the fun of it again...

Valanda · Nov 23, 2006

I worked at a plant nursery then became a florist. After my first child was born premature, I decided to go to nursing school. The NICU nurses impressed me that much! Now I do homecare and care for infants on ventilators.

lindaobrn · Nov 23, 2006

I worked in a factory loading and unloading semis with a forklift for 29 years. Then I decided I would do something similiar...ob nursing haha. Actually I had always wanted to be a nurse since high school and my daughter was an OB nurse. My job went to Mexico (anyone have Kirsch curtain rods??I probably had something to do with manufacturing them) and I got a divorce (hubby was against nursing) and went to school at age 48 graduated with my ADN. I miss my forklift at times....but love my job. Also replaced hubby with a younger man and I AM VERY happy there.

wanetta · Nov 23, 2006

Hmmm...let's see. I worked as a waitress, cook, bottle washer. I also worked as a bartender and an assist manager in a bowling alley. Also on my resume is employment as a nurse's aide( before they were certified). My favorite job was as an activity director before entering the nursing program and during the nursing program. I"m sure I probably left something out...lol.

weezledawg · Nov 23, 2006

I was/am the News Editor for a local newspaper ...

yai J, RN · Nov 24, 2006

This is so fun hearing about all the creative changes people have made! My list includes: Peace Corps volunteer, ski instructor for physically handicapped folks, group leader for abuser education, family therapist, business owner (therapy and a cleaning co, not at the same time!), stay at home mom, buger flipper, factory worker, machine shop worker, waitress, and probably other stuff I forgot about! I have a masters degree in counseling--trained in business mgt (hated it and didn't bother with the degree just before graduation), and a BA in psychology... always evolving! Now I am super excited to go to nursing school, at 49yrs of age.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2006

I was a factory worker who manufactured Charmin toilet paper and Bounty paper towels. My politically-correct title was 'entry-level plant technician'. It was grueling, physical, hazardous, and messy work. I earned every penny from that place for the 3 years I was there.

I was also a fast-food worker during high school, a grocery store cashier, low-paid retail person at Target, stock clerk at the 99 cent store, and so forth. I was also a low-paid caregiver for mentally retarded consumers.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Nov 28, 2006

In my former life, I was a gangster's moll, hung out with Bugsy Segal and Charlie Lucciano!! :lol2: :lol2: When I first read the thread, I thought that it was a past life thing, ( bit of a laugh!!), after reading the thread, in this lifetime, my main job before being a midwife was a Mammy!! (wish I could say I was a Calvin Cline underwear model too, but, sadly not!Could have modeled the latest line in Bridget Jones big pants however, FAB at covering all the marks of being a Mammy, but, I imagine, not as wildly exciting!!!)

P.S Guys, don't take me seriously, I'm not heavily into past life etc, but I imagine that if it existed, a gangsters moll is what I would have been! always feel a particular affinity with all that stuff, even although I'm as Scottish as they come!!!! Any of you guys imagine what you would have been before, bit of fun, and interesting as to how folks view themselves at heart!! :specs: