If not Nursing, then what????

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I'm an "older" student working on my prereq's before actually taking the plunge into nursing school... I've read through so many of these posts and the overall theme here is that a lot of new nurses seem to be unhappy in their chosen profession and generally disillusioned with the nursing field - which, in all honesty, is making me very nervous about proceeding with the career that I've had my heart set on for so many years. My question is this....if you were to go back in time, would you choose nursing again? If not, what career would you choose? I'm very curious to hear everyone's what-if's.....:redpinkhe

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Specializes in Corrections.

Im a prenursing student also, if nursing was to fall through for me (not getting accepted due to competition after 2-3 tries) being a paramedic definitely interests me.

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I probably would have majored in English and became a high school English teacher, eventually becoming a college professor.

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I asked a similar question a few months ago, although I did not ask about alternative careers. Here is the link to that thread, in case it's of help:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/would-you-become-nurse-today-if-you-could-do-over-again-262446.html

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Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

Hmmm, difficult question. After I got over the 1 year hump I feel better about my career choice. I like my job for the most part. There are days that I want to pull my hair out and never come back but every job is like that.

If I had to make the decision again I would seriously consider financial planning. During college I thought about many careers in health care but if I did it all over again I would probably avoid the health care system entirely.

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Hmm, after almost 29 years, maybe a stripper. At least that would of forced me to keep the weight off! lol

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Specializes in Geriatric, Medical/Surgical.

I went to school to become a music teacher before I switched to nursing halfway through.

Even though I hate my job somedays, I wouldn't do anything else. People seem to think I'd be happier with weekends, summers, and holidays off. But when it isn't a weekend, holiday, or summer, teachers have to be in the classroom Monday-Friday. Not much flexibility there.

I like that I can take a "vacation" without using any vacation time. I like that I can alter my schedule to match those of my family members. That 3 or 4 day "weekends" are common for me. That if I hate my job, there are MANY others that I can apply for.

The options available to me in nursing definitely outweigh the summers, weekends, and holidays off. And it is nice putting a smile on a patients face :)

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Hi- thats a good question. Before I decided on nursing school I wanted to be an acupuncurist but was worried I wouldn't make enough money. Well- it turns out my loans from nursing school are so high that I am worse off than if I had followed my heart to acupuncture shcool. Just do what your heart wants you to do but remember that the job market for nursing is great. Even though the job is tough- you will always have a job. Al I have to say is if you don't want stress do not become an ICU nurse-- too stressful!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

If I could be sure that I would be successful, there are lots of alternative careers I might have chosen -- philosopher, historian, sociologist, writer, etc.

However ... that's the problem with such speculations. When we think about other career paths, we always imagine ourselves as being successful in them. We end up comparing out fantasies of success in other careers with our daily struggles in the real world of nursing. That's not a fair comparison. If we had really chosen those other career paths, we would have to struggle with their difficult challenges -- which might be just as unpleasant as our nursing struggles.

For a fair comparison, we should compare our real-life nursing world with a less than idealized view of those other careers. For example: philosophers, historians, and sociologists have trouble finding jobs and often have to move across the country to get a job ... and are usually paid less than nurses. Would I really be happier with those problems?

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Hi- thats a good question. Before I decided on nursing school I wanted to be an acupuncurist but was worried I wouldn't make enough money. Well- it turns out my loans from nursing school are so high that I am worse off than if I had followed my heart to acupuncture shcool. Just do what your heart wants you to do but remember that the job market for nursing is great. Even though the job is tough- you will always have a job. Al I have to say is if you don't want stress do not become an ICU nurse-- too stressful!

Pink Lotus that is exactly why i became a nurse! your post took the words right out of my head onto the page. i thought oh i wont make enough and 'maybe i can get a solid foundation in 'western health-care' first. anyhow--i had reservations about becoming a nurse. worked in an er to get a real feel for chaos and insanity. took three years off from pursuing nursing. but for some unknown reason i took the plunge. do i regret it? yes and no. if i don't start seeing improvement in my overall mental health and performance i will leave the bedside.

i do not want to be discouraging but i have to warn you--in the hospital setting esp. there are many dysfunctional work relationships. i see docs scream--not just yell--scream at nurses/nurses to pts/pts to nurses. one thing i have yet to see though---patients screaming at docs. interesting. above all else i have to say this: i do not think one can honestly 'get used to or love' hands on nursing. you will know by your interactions with patients why you went into nursing. for me i can honestly say when the stuff is hitting the fan, my patients keep me grounded. they literally are the only reason i can get through some nights. funny...

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am glad that I am a nurse. I don't like the politics or the stupid policies that keep changing, but I have had wonderful opportunities being one. At best, I would like to go to other places within nursing that are not so stressful or political, but I am glad that I am where I am in my life.

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Specializes in Taking one day at a time....
I'm an "older" student working on my prereq's before actually taking the plunge into nursing school... I've read through so many of these posts and the overall theme here is that a lot of new nurses seem to be unhappy in their chosen profession and generally disillusioned with the nursing field - which, in all honesty, is making me very nervous about proceeding with the career that I've had my heart set on for so many years. My question is this....if you were to go back in time, would you choose nursing again? If not, what career would you choose? I'm very curious to hear everyone's what-if's.....:redpinkhe

I am a prenursing student also, and i have wondered the same thing. It also scares me because I have a very strong desire to do nursing, but how do i REALLY know if its for me? I mean, i assume that its something i would like to do, from what I know. But how do I really know if i will enjoy it as much as i am thinking/hoping? But reading peoples rants on their job hasnt made me less passionate about nursing... because there are also many people who seems to genuinely love their job, the same way that i hope to love it someday.:redbeathe

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