any career changers?

FutureRN101 · Nov 19, 2014

Hairstylist, then stay at home mom , now working towards nursing :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

How many careers did you have before becoming a nurse?
What careers were they and what drew you to nursing?

I wouldn't say that I had a career prior to becoming a nurse. However, I did have a string of dead-end jobs that are not quite considered careers by me.

I worked at two different fast food joints, Target, the 99 Cent Store, two grocery stores, United Cerebral Palsy, and a group home for the developmentally disabled, all from age 17 to age 20. At age 20 I landed a job at a paper products company that made Charmin and Bounty, where I remained for three years.

I entered nursing because I wanted salable job skills that would result in a comfortable middle income, career mobility, flexibility and a middle class lifestyle. It was also an easier career to enter than many others due to lower academic standards. I entered nursing as an LVN and later transitioned to the RN role.

RunBabyRN · Nov 19, 2014

I was in retail then retail management for awhile, and went into the military (did medical, which helped me figure out that I wanted to go into nursing). I've had a zillion other jobs. Became a nurse at 34.

VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN · Nov 19, 2014

Software technical support -> software consultant/business process analyst, and now database developer/administrator. I have degrees in computer science, human development, and a master's in public health. Start my BSN in January!

Racer15, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

I was a vet tech (Have a BSA in animal health technology). Loved it but could not pay the bills. Miss my critters, although ER nursing can provide me with far more entertainment...

PomMom65 · Nov 20, 2014

I was a Park Ranger then Park Manager. I moved across country to a snowy area and realized jobs like I had just were not available. Then I realized that I needed to do something different. I always wanted to be a nurse and my situation allowed for me to go to school so here I am. I love nursing.

ohiobobcat · Nov 20, 2014

My first degree is a BS in health-athletic training (sports medicine). I was a certified athletic trainer for 5 years, 2 of those 5 years were spent as a graduate assistant in an athletic training program. I got my master's in counseling (it was free!!) but I never practiced as a counselor. Athletic training was fun until I had kids. It was hard to be at all the practices and travelling with teams to games when I had a baby at home.

I then became a stay-at-home mom. My middle daughter was a preemie, born at 26 weeks and very sick. She spent 75 days in the NICU and step-down unit. While I was there with her, I was VERY intrigued by the nurses and what they were doing. My plan was to stay home with the kids until they all started school and then to go back to school for my nursing degree. I got divorced before the kids started school, so I bumped my start date for nursing school up a bit. I graduated in 2006, when my kids were 4, 6, and 9. I was 34.

I've had lots of other jobs, like fast food, retail, sports camps (as an athletic trainer), hostess/waitress in a restaurant, CNA (right before nursing school), etc. But that's my story of how I ended up as a nurse. :)

ponymom · Nov 20, 2014

I was in the skilled trades and taking pre-reqs as I had always been intrigued and in respect of the nursing profession. I had come to know great and kind nurses during my grandma's and mom's times in their care. I went to LPN school as it was quicker than waiting for RN, and went to work in ltc for several years. I took a $12+ paycut to start as a nurse, and poor benefits, common mandations and all of that, but I knew that going in, and that was ok.

I love caring for the residents but the current model of nh is awful, and purt-near criminal in how these people are wharehoused and treated in general. Nursing is just full of people who shouldn't be anywhere near health care for a myriad of reasons (both floor staff and office/administation staff), and are evidenced in many of the posts here everyday, many are coddled and supported for whatever reason, while others are jumped on.

After several years of rediculousness in the nh, I went back to the trades. I started back at $17+ more per hour, day shift, zero mandation, company-provided and -laundered work clothing, yearly shoe allowance, a good strong union, one of the best health plans in the country (100% employer paid), employer savings plan, employer stock, all the OT I could want (at MY discretion) and NOOOOO whiners, and policy/rule breakers are dealt with appropriately, not coddled along. I realize I got back because of previous experience and competence, but I still really miss being a nurse. That is why I still read this forum.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

Accountant, teacher, office manager, way too many to list. Prior degrees.

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

What about those of us that started nursing early (been at this gig for 21 years), but now wish we had gone a different direction?

I always wanted to be a DVM--large animal practice, to be exact. A couple of years ago I started looking into DVM programs. At my age, it appears the ROI is abysmal: Vets have some of the highest costs of education and lowest salaries out of school of any profession-- I'd likely die before I paid off the student loans.

I'm burnt out on the current culture and business climate of nursing, I don't like where it's going, and if I had money to burn I'd be in vet school in a heartbeat.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

HR Director for an IT Consulting startup company. My first degree was a BA in English with a minor in Spanish, and I started my Masters in Library Science before deciding it was going to be way too much school for little pay(and mind-numbing curriculum.)

I've been an Oncology nurse for almost 8 years now.

glencovediva · Nov 21, 2014

Clinical Laboratory Technologist.