How many of you had a different career/education before becoming an RN?

sheri_u2 · Jun 22, 2005

Bachelor of Science in Travel Toursim/Business, 1996. Coordinated weddings, social functions and meetings at hotels. Fun working environment, no pay, work 60 hours a week and you never "make a difference" in the world.

Realized on 30th birthday that your never too old to start over. After all, I'm gonna turn 35 either way. If all goes well, I'll be a nurse when I do!

Momto3andNurse2B · Jun 22, 2005

I spent 15 years in the advertising industry, most recently as a media buyer. I was beginning to become really burnt out and disillusioned by the business. People think I'm crazy for quitting; I got free lunches, free dinners, free trips. I just couldn't stand the phoniness and the expectations of meeting impossible deadlines, with no satisfaction. I was sure I was meant to do something more meaningful. I started thinking about nursing, until one day one of my coworkers said, "You have to do what will make you happy." Simple statemen, but it made an impression. The next day, I signed up for my first classes. I start my ADN program on 8/22, will graduate in the spring of 2007.

leopold · Jun 22, 2005

I am doing my LPN, will probably go for RN. I got my college degree in philosophy and Latin American studies, my master's in International human right's law and worked many years as a writer/researcher in policy analysis, specifically immigration/refugee law. The other day I cleaned out my briefcase from my last job -- three years ago -- it was amazing, I just thought "I was so unhappy doing this for so long!" Now I really love what I'm doing.

RN_Jen · Jun 22, 2005

I've been an CMA, a dental assistant, secretary, realtor (I'm a career junkie). I was 2 semesters away from a BA in Psyc but stopped to have a baby. Been doing graphic design for the last 8 years. Wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid. I'm starting a BSN program in August and will be 49 when I graduate in 2 years. At least I'll be done before I'm 50! :rotfl:

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jun 23, 2005

You may have needed to get an RN to get into anesthesia before, and it still opens up more opportunities for anesthetist training, but it's not absolutely necessary.

Depending on what state you want to practice in, it might be. Many states do not allow anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) to practice anesthesia (I know my state does not), so short of becoming an anesthesiologist, one would have to become a CRNA to practice anesthesia and it is absolutely necessary to be an RN (with a minimum of one year of ICU experience) to become a CRNA.

suzy253, RN · Jun 23, 2005

Was a university secretary in my previous life--started nursing school at age 50!

Genevieve RN · Jun 23, 2005

I was a secretary until I graduated nursing school.

I also took a paralegal course while a nurse and got a certificate. I've worked as a Nurse Paralegal/Consultant too.

My dream is to own a bookstore, though. I know I would love that. I don't know if I will ever be able to realize this dream, but we'll see.

I've thought about getting into publishing. I love books, reading and research. I've thought about going back to school for teaching. Teaching is something I can do in the second half of my life too.

I might do some nurse consulting on my own, or temp in different lawfirms too.

I can't see myself working the floors too much longer. I'm turning 39 this year and I feel tired all the time. Part time/perdiem hospital and doing other things might be the way for me to go.

lifeLONGstudent · Jun 23, 2005

I was a medical technologist (BS biology major, chemistry minor). I ran an oncology lab for 4 years. I have also worked in the hospitals (mainly in blood bank) for the last 12 years. I loved my job, but I just decided that the lack of respect and CRAPPY pay was not worth it anymore. I am in an accelerated BSN program and graduate in AUG, 2006

LifeLONGstudent

live4today, RN · Jun 23, 2005

So far, everyone has worked some pretty interesting jobs before nursing.:)

Before I became a nurse, I worked as a Realtor. When the real estate market slowed to a creep, I placed my license on inactive status as a realtor, and continued taking classes at the local college where I attended almost a year to become a Realtor. I was going for my Brokers license, but switched to Allied Health taking mostly psych courses, sociology courses....NOT a thought yet as to becoming a nurse. One of my psych classmates talked me into applying for the nursing program, and I was accepted without delay.

I've been a RN since the spring of 1987, and now feel the need to transition into something other than hospital nursing. I'd love to return to college, but not for healthcare.

missi30 · Jun 23, 2005

Hi

This is my first post. I love this site. Anyway, just to respond to your question. I have a BA in History and a Masters degree in Library Science, currently work as a librarian and I am thinking about nursing. (By the way, I taught before going back for my masters). I am gearing up to take my prereqs this fall. I am exciting, I love learning. I figured I would combine my library science background and nursing and possibly go into medical librarianship. Although that is not my first choice. I do want to practice nursing for sometime, but I guess when I want a change I can transition into medical librarianship.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 23, 2005

Hi! I went to college and had my BS in biology at age 22, then went to grad school for biology and had my MS in biology at age 24, then worked in an HIV research lab for several months and decided I hated lab work (not meaningful enough for me) and at age 25 I became a CNA and then also at age 25 I entered a BSN program. Now I'm 28 and I just graduated from my BSN program (3.97 GPA!!!!!) and will take NCLEX next week and will then start orientation on my med/surg/tele job! I can't wait! :)

-Christine

mom and nurse · Jun 23, 2005

Hi - I got my B.A. in Communication Disorders (what some schools call Speech Pathology and Audiology), never went for my masters degree which is required in Speech Pathology, worked instead doing secretarial/administrative assistant work for the government, while I volunteered as a teacher's assistant at a high school for the deaf, and at an elementary school for the deaf, met my future husband, got married and worked a short time doing data entry for a law firm, ended up at home as a housewife for the next 16 years. I loved raising our children, though I decided somewhere along the way that I'd rather be a nurse than a teacher. (After raising our five children, I found that the idea of being in a classroom teaching children, though a noble profession, didn't seem as attractive to me. I graduated from nursing school at the age of 45. I enjoy nursing. It suits me fine..... Perhaps some day I'll be able to combine my knowledge of sign language and deaf culture with my career as a nurse.... :)