What would you be in another life?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey all,

So I'm sure there are probably some old threads about this, but what would you do if you hadn't gotten into nursing school, passed NCLEX, or not gotten that first job in the nursing field? What would your backup plan have been? Or what did you do before nursing? If you left nursing, why and what do you do now?

I'm just being curious, but I suppose I can start. If I hadn't gotten into nursing school, I would have become either a math teacher or gone into law and done family type stuff.

Can't wait to read what all you have to say!

NightNerd, MSN, RN

1,130 Posts

Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Is it a bad sign that I think about this almost constantly, lol. If nursing hadn't worked out, I probably would have gone through with my original plan and gotten my Masters in counseling or social work. If I left now, it would probably be to pursue something creative - music or writing. So, I'm probably not leaving anytime soon, but boy, if I ever win the lottery...

If I were starting over from the very beginning of life, I'd be a marine biologist or a music therapist. But I feel like it's too late for those things now, sadly.

NurseYoshi

161 Posts

Is it a bad sign that I think about this almost constantly, lol. If nursing hadn't worked out, I probably would have gone through with my original plan and gotten my Masters in counseling or social work. If I left now, it would probably be to pursue something creative - music or writing. So, I'm probably not leaving anytime soon, but boy, if I ever win the lottery...

If I were starting over from the very beginning of life, I'd be a marine biologist or a music therapist. But I feel like it's too late for those things now, sadly.

I have a friend who does book binding in her free time as a second job. I can't imagine being creative as a second job. I like to keep my artsy side to myself because I don't think I'm very good at all that (as much as I love singing and drawing and painting).

I don't know if I'd leave nursing, just because it's possible to find a job doing almost anything with a nursing license and a caring attitude. I did just graduate a few months ago though so we shall see how I feel about it later down the road.

PeakRN

547 Posts

Specializes in Adult and pediatric emergency and critical care.

I used to be a firefighter, if it payed better I'd probably still be there. I thought about being an elementary teacher, but that doesn't really address the whole money part. I enjoyed biology, and in fact was my first bachelors, but I can't really see myself having a career in that field.

NurseYoshi

161 Posts

I used to be a firefighter, if it payed better I'd probably still be there. I thought about being an elementary teacher, but that doesn't really address the whole money part. I enjoyed biology, and in fact was my first bachelors, but I can't really see myself having a career in that field.

What about a firefighting, biology teaching elementary teacher? Haha. You could be a firefighter on the weekends and teach during the week.

NightNerd, MSN, RN

1,130 Posts

Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.
I have a friend who does book binding in her free time as a second job. I can't imagine being creative as a second job. I like to keep my artsy side to myself because I don't think I'm very good at all that (as much as I love singing and drawing and painting).

I don't know if I'd leave nursing, just because it's possible to find a job doing almost anything with a nursing license and a caring attitude. I did just graduate a few months ago though so we shall see how I feel about it later down the road.

I can agree that sometimes it's better to keep your creative side in your personal time. It somehow wouldn't be as refreshing if I had to do it on command! Yeah, I doubt I'll leave nursing at this point, but I do think I'm not long for the bedside. You're right, there are a lot of opportunities within this field. The grass is just always greener, know what I mean?

KelRN215, BSN, RN

1 Article; 7,349 Posts

Specializes in Pedi.

Supreme Court Justice or Travel Blogger. I actually considered applying to be a freelance writer (~ 6 hrs/week) for a travel blog that I follow (and that once featured me as a "reader success story") a couple weeks ago but my points/miles skills were a little limited for what they're looking for.

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

A paramedic... oh, wait.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I always wanted to be a Beatle....

NurseYoshi

161 Posts

I can agree that sometimes it's better to keep your creative side in your personal time. It somehow wouldn't be as refreshing if I had to do it on command! Yeah, I doubt I'll leave nursing at this point, but I do think I'm not long for the bedside. You're right, there are a lot of opportunities within this field. The grass is just always greener, know what I mean?

TOTALLY! I left my old unit where I worked as a tech because I wanted new experiences as a new nurse and I feel like I haven't seen anything new or exciting yet.

NurseYoshi

161 Posts

I always wanted to be a Beatle....

I'm sure you would've been great! If you're a male from England. Lol

allnurses Guide

hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I

4 Articles; 5,044 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hey all,

So I'm sure there are probably some old threads about this, but what would you do if you hadn't gotten into nursing school, passed NCLEX, or not gotten that first job in the nursing field? What would your backup plan have been? Or what did you do before nursing? If you left nursing, why and what do you do now?

I'm just being curious, but I suppose I can start. If I hadn't gotten into nursing school, I would have become either a math teacher or gone into law and done family type stuff.

Can't wait to read what all you have to say!

I honestly don't know nursing was my back-up plan. I always just wanted to live on a big farm like the one I grew up on and raise goats and horses and lots of kids and puppies. That didn't happen and a girl's gotta eat - there's always retirement!

Hppy

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