I have seen TONS of people who have said "nursing is my second, third or fourth career." As I have become more and more curious I was wanting to start a thread to see what areas and walks of life all the nurses and student nurses had before embarking on this incredible medical journey.
I will go first.
I was a TRUCK DRIVER prior to being a nursing student..
NEXT.
I am excited to see what you all did in your PAST LIVES>>>>>
Hospital volunteer, EMT/EMT-Intermediate, uncertified medical assistant, donor phlebotomy/pheresis technician and a career student/major changer (majors in bioengineering, agricultural journalism, journalism, and psychology)
I was a ______ prior to being a nurse/student nurse
I was a high school teacher for 16 years before becoming a nursing student. I enjoyed doing it, but became burned out and wanted to do what I akways wanted to do....become a nurse. I just graduated last night.
I was a ______ prior to being a nurse/student nurse
I was a high school teacher for 16 years before becoming a nursing student. I enjoyed doing it, but became burned out and wanted to do what I akways wanted to do....become a nurse. I just graduated last night.
This reminds me of something: My wife was in L&D for 5 days and I wanted her to have a massage. I found a CMT who was also an L&D nurse. She knew the perinatologist and he was fine with having her ply her trade.
It didn't go down until after my daughter was born but I do wonder how many new moms walked by the wife's closed door and longingly looked at the sign that said, "Do not disturb. Massage in progress."
I sort of expected to receive hate-mail from all the other new dads for making 'em look bad.
Massage and nursing can be a very complimentary set of skills.
dropped out of x-ray tech school 3 years later. I didn't enjoy it because I wanted to be more involved with the patients, although I didn't realize it at the time.
Met my husband, then started working on fishing boats winter, spring and summer in Seattle and Alaska. I had so much fun.
Was a SAHM for 10 years, finished Junior College (so I thought) then was a teacher's aide, then a real estate agent. I'm working on a CNA right now, and with all the classes I took right after HS and when I finally finished, I have only 2 classes to go to be able to start RN program.
I was a fast food drone for the 1st 7 years that I was eligible to work.
Then I worked for a bank for several years-file clerk, credit backgrounds, telemarketing (ick)
An administrative assistant for 2 related but separate associations for the next 8 years. When my boss was demoted and he lost the 'privelege' of his own AA, I was let go... Best thing that ever happened to me. Started pre-reqs for NS that spring.
Worked as a temp-to-perm sales clerk for almost 3 years while doing pre-reqs and 1st semester of clinical.
Sometime in there I signed to do in-home parties and still do those for extra $$. I make more in one weekend than I made in 2 weeks at my clerical job.
Started as a PCA (pt care asst) in March of this year
:nurse:
EricJRN, MSN, RN
1 Article; 6,683 Posts
Hospital volunteer, EMT/EMT-Intermediate, uncertified medical assistant, donor phlebotomy/pheresis technician and a career student/major changer (majors in bioengineering, agricultural journalism, journalism, and psychology)