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>>>>>
I had a good paying job as a machine shop inspector....experienced in process engineering and quality control. Then I lost my job due to "foreign competition"...the shop closed and I had to start all over again because similar jobs in the manufacturing industry were few/far between and about half the wages that I was used to making! Nursing was the only way I could replace/exceed my former income. Now I am a nurse with experience in quality control and process engineering....and I'm exited to use my life experience and previous skills ito make changes and better the nursing profession!
Hooterhorse
I think that that is a fabulous background to bring to nursing! Quality control and process engineering -- great!
I was the super-duper friendly barista making your triple grande non-fat vanilla no foam latte at the neighborhood Starbucks just last March ... last day was on a friday and I started as an RN 3 days later
I see a few docs, nurses, etc. as co-workers that I used to see as customers (and one kinda scary psych pt I had as a student!)
I was the super-duper friendly barista making your triple grande non-fat vanilla no foam latte at the neighborhood Starbucks just last March ... last day was on a friday and I started as an RN 3 days later
I see a few docs, nurses, etc. as co-workers that I used to see as customers (and one kinda scary psych pt I had as a student!)
I have a 5 year (haha) BS degree in nutrition, I've worked in fitness for years and still teach spin classes. So.. after 7 years of school, I guess I'll work for awhile.
Just wondering, why did you change from nutrition to Nursing instead of pursuing a dietetics internship? I have been in a dilemna for the past 6 years wondering what I am really called to do in life. I have a Masters in Nutrition (no RD credential) earning a decent wage but I have no opportunities for advancement. Would you recommend nursing?
I was a high school student and I worked at Wally World one summer my sophmore year. But now, I am a COLLEGE STUDENT and LOVING MY CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a united states woman marine for six years, became a stay at home mom for the next four years before i went to nursing school.
thank you for your service!! semper fi- my son is a marine.
my jobs ranged from waitress to fry cook to stay at home mom - then i went and became a cna and after almsot 1 yr i knew it was for me so i went on to school. i have tried other things in between like teaching DD kids, daycare , even stay at home mom again- but i went back- i really missed it ( didnt miss the politics of it though - that never changed lOL)
R & D engineer working on antisubmarine warfare systems (laid off with hundreds of others when the Russians weren't our enemies anymore)
An administrator for a small Park and Rec department while a full-time student
Design engineer for high-precision measuring systems (left for a much shorter commute)
Technical writer documenting toxic-waste processing systems and precision casting equipment (left because the company was in full-on crash-and-burn mode; my successor was ultimately laid off)
Manufacturing engineer producing photovoltaic modules (laid off when plant closed)
Design engineer for an antenna manufacturer (left because it was the most screwed up place I'd ever seen)
Engineering manager/project engineer/automation engineer for a recycling equipment manufacturer (laid off after I had trained my Chinese counterpart)
I am soooo ready for a change. I just registered for my first-semester DEMSN classes today -- I start at the end of January!!
thank you to for your service and semper fi! :) and to all who i may miss or dont get to reply to ( im getting tired and skipping a few posts lol) - many blessings and your service is very much appreciated.
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
I think that that is a fabulous background to bring to nursing! Quality control and process engineering -- great!