If your 1st career/background isn't nursing, share your thoughts please!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2012

i want to know from all of you though,
1. what is your background before you considered nursing?
2. what motivated you to change your career? why nursing?
3. how did you convince yourself it is the right thing to do? rather than impulsive thinking...

i became a nurse in my mid-20s, and now i'm 31. prior to that, i had worked a string of dead end retail jobs for a couple of years. after my stint in retail, i worked at a paper products factory for three years. in other words, i do not have the background of an educated professional.

i changed my career to nursing because i had been written up (disciplined) for the first time at the factory. i realized that i would have no education or marketable skills to fall back upon if i were to be terminated from the factory job. in other words, nursing is not a calling for me. it is a means to an end. i'm in it for the flexibility, income, and mobility.

i never really convinced myself that it was the right thing to do. when i first enrolled in a nursing program (2004), Nursing Jobs were abundant, so i based my decision on the economic climate of that time period. i just wanted a job with a steady income.

Mukfay · Jul 15, 2012

High school math teacher. I always wanted to try nursing, but didn't have the guts until I had children.

By the way, your art will apply in nursing. You'll be surprised how much.

yuna_cry · Jul 15, 2012

High school math teacher. I always wanted to try nursing, but didn't have the guts until I had children.
By the way, your art will apply in nursing. You'll be surprised how much.

Hi Mukfay

Why do you say that, art apply in nursing? As far as I can think of, I'm good with my hands and in handling tools and perform delicate procedures. That's all...

I'm also curious to what you said about "didn't have the guts until you had children", how did the children aspect make a difference, if you dont mind?

Mukfay · Jul 15, 2012

I think that your talent for art will manifest itself in the way you connect with people, and the way you understand them.

Having children, and demonstrating some success with them provided me with confidence because I was able to take on a complex, exhausting, and sometimes dangerous set of tasks without making any catastrophic mistakes. That was always my fear (that I'd make a medication error, or something, and the patient would be permanently impacted, or would not survive). After raising children, I decided that I have the judgement and presence of mind to avoid that kind of thing.

Regards,

Mukfay

yuna_cry · Jul 15, 2012

Thanks for the honest response, it's good to hear stories from those who share different backgrounds as mine.

And after more than 5 yrs of nursing experience, do you enjoy it? Can you see yourself going a long way on this path? Which aspects do you love the most?

StaceFace1122 · Jul 17, 2012

I got my Bachelor's degree in Forensic Science and was completely set on this being my career. Unfortunately, there weren't many jobs available for new graduates and I spent two years looking to break into the field with no success. Around the time I was thinking of giving up the search, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Seeing how incredible some of the nurses were who cared for her really inspired me, but some of the not-so-good ones also made me want to ensure that nobody else in my grandmother's position would be treated the way she was at times. I decided to go for my nursing degree and haven't looked back. Being a new graduate with no experience, it is hard to find jobs in my area (Philadelphia) but I know I made the right decision. I'm hoping to eventually get my SANE certification so that my first degree wasn't a complete waste, and I'm sure you could find a way to work are into your nursing career (i.e. art therapy). My best advice would be to follow your instincts, and not be afraid to take a chance on something different.

tokebi · Jul 20, 2012

Hi Yuna_cry,

Reading your post, I feel like watching myself a decade ago. I love visual arts as well. Studying art was all I could think about and dreamt about. I did attend an art school for a bit but had to drop out due to circumstances at the time.

What was my motivation and why choose nursing?

Honestly, the reason I ever got into nursing was because I went into military and trained as a medical tech, and wanted to stay in the familiar field of health care when I was discharged. So, basically, I chose nursing because I needed a job, was used to working in hospitals, and heard it was in demand. After working for a while as LVN, however, I got fed up and wanted out, went back to school and dabbled in science (not that nursing is not science :nurse: ). Strangely, it was that period of time when I was away from working as a nurse that I realized I truly enjoyed being a nurse. So I went back to school yet again to become an RN.

How did I convince myself it was the right thing to do?

Only after I stayed away from nursing, I realized I terribly missed doing things to make people comfortable, to listen to them, the privilege of being there when people are at their most vulnerable times. Personally though, I suspect it might be due to my own insecurity that makes it so much more precious to make those connections with my patients and feel their appreciation for what I do. Anyway, I concluded the reason I was feeling burnt out had to do with not having enough knowledge and scope of practice, so went back to school again to become an RN.

I completely agree with what Mukfay said about art and nursing. After all, we say nursing is science AND art. The art of nursing refers to the skill of connecting with other people, feeling and recognizing their needs, soothing the agitated, and enhancing their potential for improvement. As an artist, you're extremely in tune with your inner self. You already have a heightened sensitivity. I truly believe that can be an invaluable quality to be an effective nurse, to connect and recognize the need of other people. On the flip side, your artistic ability can also aid in decompressing and coping with the "trauma" of being a nurse by venting and expressing upon the canvas. Your art may even develop in unexpected ways because of the new perspective you gain while caring for people.

I am glad you're being honest about the reasons you want to pursue nursing. Just one thing, though. The "demand" is simply not there right now, at least when you're seeking the first job after graduating from nursing school. Thousands of new grads are applying for only dozens of openings right now. Opportunities are there as long as you're flexible, patient and persistent. Just please don't start on this new journey thinking that you will get a job easily anywhere anytime upon finishing school.

Whatever you decide, make sure you do the research and I wish you best of luck!

Psychcns · Jul 20, 2012

@yuna_cry

Your reasons for choosing nursing sound fine.. Practical is important.

Other things to consider:

Do you like science? Anatomy, pathophysiology, etc.. Nursing is a large time investment.

Can you imagine spending 8 hour day taking care of people?

Maybe you could find someone to shadow, etc..

You can still do art