I was a ______ prior to being a nurse/student nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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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!

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Journalist then mother. Nursing school at 49.

diahni

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I was a commercial pilot for 23 years, then returned to school 14 years ago to become a nurse.

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Specializes in Cardiac x3 years, PACU x1 year.

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 :p

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!)

::elevator::

"Morning..." :looks at me several times:

"Morning... umm... venti non-fat 2 splenda semi-dry cappuccino, right?"

"Oh, wow. Yes."

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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 :p

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!)

::elevator::

"Morning..." :looks at me several times:

"Morning... umm... venti non-fat 2 splenda semi-dry cappuccino, right?"

"Oh, wow. Yes."

patticake: so you went from therapist to nurse!

diahni

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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?

Any regrets for you?

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Specializes in geriatrica.

Hello. New to the board/site. I was iron worker for several contractors before getting into nursing.

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Specializes in Rehab/Post Acute.

Before becoming a nursing student I was a...

High School Social Studies Teacher for 6 years

and a Stay at Home Mom for 5 years.

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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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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)

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Sequentially since high school I've been:

  • A United States Marine

  • 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.

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