what did you do in your former life?

[3rdgenRN2B]

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....

[rninme]

I was a waitress at a Mennonite tea and quilt room....

(I know I present myself as pretty much a dufus most of the time...but I am not making this up....)

Beary!....I would have spent my entire paycheck on quilts! Not a good place for me to work!!

ah...the previous life...baled hay, detasseled corn, waitress and cook, newspaper reporter, CNA then respiratory therapist for 18 years before nursing school. Always wanted to be nurse, but I had to pay the bills and work my way through school.....long road, but I finally made it!:pumpiron:

[bigmona]

go go dancer

just kidding- i watched tv for a living. i'm actually not kidding about that. it was part of a research study that i was assisting on looking at how media influences adolescent behaviors and attitudes.

[lannisz]

I was a case manager/social worker

[decartes]

I was a former Calvin Klein underwear model and a food industry Quality Assurance Manager.

[LNDRN19]

I was in the Air Force, a karaoke show host, a waitress, a car salesperson, and a bartender!

[RN007]

I have a BA in speech and theatre and worked in arts administration for awhile before I became a travel agent. Then I went back to school to get an MS in public relations where I worked for 20+ years.

When I got two lay-off notices in a row and then couldn't find a real full-time job after freelancing and contracting for a few years (to be around for my young children), I knew something was up. When I opened my heart and listened, I got the call to serve and have enjoyed every minute of my ride!

[nursebearfeet]

i was a swim suit and lingerie model, no i am not kidding. i have pictures to prove it. and because i know you will ask why... everyone does! i'll tell you. once upon a very traumatic evening in the company of a crazed lunatic i found myself thinking, i dont want people standing over my grave saying " wow she sure was a pretty girl." is that is, is that all i am? the rest is history. so, ask your self this, what would people say over your grave?

[twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I was an underground pipeline locator for a couple of different places before nursing. People love that I tell them that while I'm starting IV's on them lol. I was also in the ARMY as a Tracked Vehicle Repairman where I repaired A1 abrams engine.

[navynurse06]

I was an assistant manager at the Dollar Tree while I was in high school and 1st half of nursing school. Then I was a nurse tech through the last half of nursing school.

[sam027000]

I have a BA in economics and worked as the research manager for a local economic development group. It was a fun job, but it wasn't my passion. I also decided pretty quickly that I didn't want to sit in front of a computer all day for the rest of my life!!

:)

[RN007]

i was a swim suit and lingerie model, no i am not kidding.

hey, we have a former calvin klein underwear model, too. with all this extra talent, we could publish an allnurses.com swimsuit edition, do economic research, develop a marketing and pr plan, and any of us could perform cpr on the customers who get a little too excited! :chuckle

[WickedRedRN, BSN, RN]

I was a former Calvin Klein underwear model and a food industry Quality Assurance Manager.

Hey, me too! Well, not the Calvin Klein underwear model part, but I was a Quality Control Supervisor/HACCP Coordinator in a meat processing facility.