Did you have any other options?

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This is sort of a cross post and thought I would also post it here :)

I was talking to a friend of mine that is also in nursing school and we were talking about if not nursing what? I was wondering if you ever had any other options and if so what?

My fiancee and I each recently graduated BSN. We are from South Florida. Nobody is hiring new grads here. SHe put her paperwork into several facilities and got 0 replies. She just interviewed about a dozen times for a medical office manager within a single week. 2 per day give or take (her profession prior to nursing school), and was courted by 3 of them strongly. She picked the best opportunity, and started. Not sure if she would even consider "starting over" into nursing at this point, considering what she has gone through in the past 3 months.

I had to finish two classes, so I am a bit behind her. I am faced with the same issue right now, and while putting my name out there, and talking to HR deptartments all over the area is doable, I am also looking at re-entering sales, this time, medical industry. I have an "in" somewhere, and will be going in shortly to sit down and talk. Waiting 3-6 months to become a nurse is not possible for me. That 20-30k I would leave on the table is more than lost opportunity, it is a stumble into the start of my new life, new family, and new direction. Nursing was an interest, and my life for the past 4 years. Now, I have to make it happen. By "it", I mean real life. The opportunity I am looking at would put me well above a seasoned nurse in my first year alone, while factoring in the minimum possible commission (even the base salary sans commission is exactly the same as a starting nurse here). The hours are M-F 9-5. Company car, laptop, blackberry, client list, expense account, go get 'em.

The funny thing is, for the past 4 years, I have had tunnel vision. I have been fighting to stay optomistic about nursing, to keep at the grueling school, the lack of funds, the general sentiment of overwork, respect issues, labor issues, legal issues. Since I considered something else, I immediately started looking into what also interests me, and what I was involved in years ago in my first career, restaurants. I love the business, the work, the atmosphere and the fun. I am already talking to people, setting up ideas, concepts and goals. Any current or potential restauranteurs in So Flo, PM me, OK?! Hahaha...

This is an exciting time in my life, and sadly, the most anticlimactic part thus far has been graduating from nursing school, and perhaps even lower than that is the prospect of joining this profession in it's current state. I hope I am not giving the impression that I am down on nurses here, it is just the truth as I see it. My job was my life for a long time, and this is my third industry. Maybe I should have investigated better, and then again, maybe this is the kick in the pants I need.

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Wel, I am only at the very beginning of schooll...taking my pre-req's...or should I say retaking. Twenty years ago I choose Dental Hygiene over Nursing. At that time I thought I would be too squeemish to deal with needles and so forth. I chose Hygiene for the good pay and the hours.

Today Hygienists can deliver local anesthesia. I went back to school and am now giving injections in a wet mouth of a usually frightened patient.

Twenty years later, though I enjoy Hygiene, I have started to work towards my RN. Sadly there is little growth in Hygiene unless you teach or do sales. The pay is initially better than Nursing but ultimately Nusing can far out-earn Hygiene. I wish I chose Nursing way back then or even sooner than now, but, as they say...better late than never!

Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, ER.

Med school. Someday.

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Everyone has other options. Nothing in life is guaranteed and nursing offers fewer guarantees than many other occupations. In a profession where you can be put out of school or lose your license for a simple mistake or miscalculation it's not a good idea to put all your eggs in the same basket.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Speech Pathologist, Counselor, Social Worker were possibilities.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Adminstrative goverment work

Health insurance companies

Legal nurse consultant

Physican

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Specializes in OR.

Social Worker , family counsler!?!?

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Always wanted to be a nurse, but didn't have the chance until I was 42. I've done many things and have enjoyed them all, but I'm glad I'm finally where I wanted to be.

I've been in the Navy, volunteered as a EMT for 15 years, worked at McDonalds and Kodak (15 years as a secretary) and worked as a tech in a doctors office - just to name a few.

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