How Many of us have "Considered" a different profession and why?

[nursegoodguy]

I am interested in how many of us have considered changing professions and why?

For myself I have thought about going back to school to get a computer science degree for many different reasons...

The biggest reason is chronic back pain from 3 fractured vertebra after being hit by a drunk driver. Haven't had to quit yet but we'll see...

I love caring for my patients but I think everything has a reason for happening and when one door closes another opens.

[grouchy]

I used to want to deliver the mail. I figured I'd lose alot of weight with all that walking. And the exercise would be a stress reliever, despite the weather and the dogs. (I couldn't figure out why mailmen "go postal" and nurses don't!) Then, Sept. 11th and the anthrax attacks happened. Boy, was I relieved I didn't live out that little fantasy!

Sometimes I wish I was a waitress again, because I'd be a hell of alot better at it now,(better memory and faster due to my nursing experience) than I was then.

Some days I just want to go live in the woods like Thoreau. But only if I have internet aceess ;>

[shay]

Yes. Every day.

I want to be a full time mommy and a master gardener. Paul James is my hero.

Nursing is so physically and mentally draining some days. Came home tonight feeling like a zombie. Get to wake up early and do it ALL OVER again tomorrow.

Tired of the danger of lawsuits, the constant run, run, run of some days........the working holidays and nights and weekends and whenever else the general public is off. Tired of knowing that even when there's 2 feet of snow on the ground and my hubby is warm and snuggled in our bed, the national guard will be coming to pick me up and take me to WORK.

I love and hate my job.

[OrthoNutter]

Originally posted by catlady

I consider it almost every day. I can't figure out why I ever went into nursing in the first place; it was never my dream.

My friends and family keep asking me why I went into nursing because I never showed an interest in looking after people or people in general. I was always wanting to look after the animals on my uncle's farm. Feeding horses, milking cows, droving stock on horseback, playing with ducks, chickens, dogs, cats....it was my part-time job for every summer growing up as a child and as a teenager but it was never work to me. It was great fun and never a chore. Sometimes I think I would have been better off being an 'unskilled' labourer for a few years at his farm instead of going to uni like I was expected to do. The pay wasn't as good but I had free accommodation and free food in return.

I think if I could turn back time, that would be what I would do. Blow uni off the first time and live on his farm. Then I wouldn't have the amount of debt I do now, from a degree that I never wanted and it would have given me time to really nut out what I wanted to do with my life. Still, you can't change the past, only work on the present for a better future. At the moment, I'm back at uni studying to become a vet and I've never had so much fun!!! :chuckle

[Christian Nurse]

If I wasn't a nurse I would've been a chef. I realy like to cook and I took classes to learn how to make specialty cakes. (i.e. wedding cakes, fancy birthday cakes) And I love making cheese cakes. So I'm actually thinking about going to the community college in my area to get an associate degree in cultenary arts.

[knowlegzseekr]

Bottom line is......whatever career you choose there will always be some complaint because this is not a perfect world.

I just feel blessed to be able to work because I see patients every day that would trade places with any of us at a moments notice......so who am I to complain.

[CATHYW]

Micro must be feeling better...complete sentences and love to share! Love you, Micro!

I considered legal nurse consulting at one time, because some of it could be done from home. Since I live in the mountains, the ideal thing would be to be able to work from home. However, it seemed just a little too distant (not to mention esssspensive) from patient care. Even though mine is an ambulatory, wellness-type situation, I thoroughly enjoy trying to figure out what might be up with employees and thier families and suggesting what to do to get definitive tx. (Actually, that is a no-brainer: "see your PMD") My percentages have been pretty good. Last week one of our male employees came to me with a lump on top of his right shoulder, said he heard a pop, and there was the lump. I guessed a muscle or ligament tear. Turned out to be a tear to the insertion point of the trap! I seem to have a good listening ear for folks too, so as long as my company lets me work here, I think I will. It is convenient, and I still have well-behaved patient contact. You can't always have that!

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

Nursing has been rewarding and provided and OK income, but I am getting ready to try something else. I was considering getting a degree in biotechnology, but don't think working in a lab would truly suit me. I need to be more active. Plus it would be a huge cut in pay. Today I applied at the local Petco as a p/t groomers assistant with the intention of learning grooming. Good groomers make as much as nurses, and I love animals, probably more than people. I started out as a waitress, then CNA, LPN, RN. People pleasing is great, but yes, I am ready to go onto my next life!

[NurseAngie]

I don't usually get into detail about myself, but lately this very topic has been on my mind. I have thought about it so much lately that I'm sick to death of it (what's that burning smell??? Oh , that's just my brain!) I am going to battle on for my RN license, but I doubt I'll go on the BSN or MSN (I had planned on becoming a CNM/WHNP and hoped to open my own private practice here in the rural land in which I now live.) Now, I am seriously considering a business degree (very flexible) or getting my degree and certification in counseling. (I can also go into private practice.) There have been so many factors in deciding. I read where other NP's aren't being utilized in their capacity and I get the feeling that so many nurses are just miserable. I am a :) person and I am finally at the point where I refuse to let other people trample on me. Guess I've figured out my priorities. :roll I want flexibility in my career and I want my family to have the best of me!

Geez....thanks for letting me get this off of my big ole' chest...I feel SOOOOOOO much better!

~Angie

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

One non-nursing job I really enjoyed was being a custodian. Sounds silly, but I loved the obvious reward and sign of progress in your work. Nothing satisifes like a clean bathroom lol.

I really liked being a waitress as well. It's not dissimilar to nursing in the types of demands, just in the (lack of) pressure. You're juggling several tables (patients) with different current needs. It's very fast paced.

But truly I could spend all day baking. I think my dream job would be working the night shift making donuts lol.

[Cherry Soda]

I would love to have a couple of kids and be a stay at home mommy for a few years.

I always wanted to have a big family.

Cherry

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

I want to take photo's....candids...they are the only 'real' pictures.... of kids.

That would be so peaceful!

[Sleepyeyes]

Hmmm... I'd want something low=responsibility. Medical transcription, Walmart cashier, Burger King flipper (I'm safe; I don't eat there...)