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

reyna · Jul 10, 2004

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. :)

KacyLynnRN · Jul 10, 2004

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

All_Smiles_RN · Jul 10, 2004

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...

rhiannonwolf · Jul 10, 2004

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.

RN92 · Jul 10, 2004

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.

DC2RN · Jul 10, 2004

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.

NeuroICURN · Jul 10, 2004

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!!!

hipab4hands · Jul 10, 2004

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.

alk3rainbow · Jul 10, 2004

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.

Yellow Rose RN · Jul 10, 2004

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.

eak16 · Jul 10, 2004

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