Nurses in Other Professions

ResearchRN · Oct 28, 2003

I left bedside nursing after 1 year for a research job and over the next several years moved around the country. As I moved, I took short-term or travel nursing positions, never more than 3 months at a time. Then I was out of nursing for 6 years. During all that time I felt like I was missing something by not practicing nursing, so I decided to go back to bedside nursing.

It is now one year later, and I'm going back to my nice Monday through Friday office job. You can keep those weekends, nights and holidays along with incompetent nursing management.

One other point: A master's degree in nursing does not necessarily qualify one to manage people! It doesn't even make sense to me.

Q. · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse
I have tried applying at a couple of vet's offices, but they never called me.

Interesting. I've thought about doing that as well. Let us know what happens, if anything.

I'd love to work in a flower shop, own a couple daycare centers, etc. I've taken pay cuts to work as a nurse educator, so I'm already used to that concept, unfortunately.

Azdream'nRN · Oct 28, 2003

Paralegal here. Less money, but a lot less stress. I don't dread my nights and days like I did when I was working full time in nursing. I do agency work very part time for a local nursing agency in town, more so during the holidays for the extra cash. There is no way I could do this full time again. I went out from full time in mid- 2001 after being an RN full time for 15 years.

My best friend who was a full-time RN for about 20 years went blind. She was under a great deal of stress and could not cope with her stress, so she had multiple retinal detachments, one after the other in her good eye and multiple surgeries in an attempt to correct them and was already blind in her other eye from birth. She is now on social security and disability.

funnygirl_rn · Oct 28, 2003

I have friends who left nursing f/t to work in real estate, medical transcription from home, a sales rep for Weight Watchers, pharmaceutical sales, one of my friends opened up a small day care for adults...she loves it and so do the families who use it! I have another friend who opened up an antiques shop...not much money coming in yet...but, she is happy, stress level is down & health has improved....less toll on your body...especially when you get older...lol! I am currently looking into marketing/selling a product that I purchased when I lived abroad a couple years ago..... that way I only have to work p/t in nursing...since my body is falling apart..agh! :chuckle

Furball · Oct 28, 2003

Recently, I watched a crime show and one of the coroners was a former RN.

hbscott · Oct 28, 2003

My Career Path since I graduated high school has been:

Navy Hospital Corpsman

Emergency Medical Technician

Surgical Technician (AS)

Surgical Technician - Instructor

Registered Nurse (BSN)

Oncology Clinical Specialist (Certified)

Master's Prepared Nurse Educator (Advanced Degreed)

Advance Trauma Life Support Coordinator (Certified)

Hospital Based Computer Based Training Administrator

Hospital Computer Applications Information Systems Administrator

Radiology PACS Administrator (Certified)

Hospital Information System's Network Engineer (Certified)

*Currently working on my PhD in Computer Science with a focus in Biometrics.

I left nursing for jobs that offered better pay, better benefits, more personal satisfaction, less negative stereotypes, better working conditions, and overall less crap to deal with (no pun intended).

Good Luck!

:)

nialloh, RN · Oct 28, 2003

My brother and friend were very good ICU nurses.

My brother is now a high end air conditioner tech, and my friend is a pilot.

latelanie · Oct 28, 2003

:roll

hbscott, that was absolutely wonderful, how did you manange so many career changes? I give you HIGH praise for the hard work and determination. How old were you when you first got started and how long did you stick with one career before moving on. I will be starting surgical tech program this January. Currently completing CNA training. Long term goal is sonography. Best wishes in all your future goals. God bless

hbscott · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by latelanie
:roll how did you manange so many career changes?

Latelanie,

Thank you very much for the compliment and encouragement. As you have noted "hard work" was a part of it but along with taking advantage of educational opportunities I always looked for work related collateral duties or assignments that allowed me to transition to these other jobs. The one common thread in this career path was not nursing but "health care" so I think that had a lot to do with my success. Everybody needs health care!

By the way I am 42 and have been on my own since I was 18. I worked my way through college with the help of my military benefits and have a wonderful family that has provided me support and encouragement along the way. Having faith and keeping faith was also very important to my success. See link below.

http://hometown.aol.com/hscott61/myhomepage/profile.html

God Bless!

Hugh

latelanie · Oct 28, 2003

:)

hbscott you sure have been quite successful in your career paths. nice homepage, and nice looking family. May sunshine always grace you and yours.

Sincerely,

Elaine

gizzy76 · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by hbscott
My Career Path since I graduated high school has been:

Navy Hospital Corpsman
Emergency Medical Technician
Surgical Technician (AS)
Surgical Technician - Instructor
Registered Nurse (BSN)
Oncology Clinical Specialist (Certified)
Master's Prepared Nurse Educator (Advanced Degreed)
Advance Trauma Life Support Coordinator (Certified)
Hospital Based Computer Based Training Administrator
Hospital Computer Applications Information Systems Administrator
Radiology PACS Administrator (Certified)
Hospital Information System's Network Engineer (Certified)

*Currently working on my PhD in Computer Science with a focus in Biometrics.

I left nursing for jobs that offered better pay, better benefits, more personal satisfaction, less negative stereotypes, better working conditions, and overall less crap to deal with (no pun intended).

Good Luck!

:)

Wow! Where did you find the time to do all these things? Nothing like expanding your mind and educating yourself for better things!

hbscott · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by gizzy76
Wow! Where did you find the time to do all these things? Nothing like expanding your mind and educating yourself for better things!

The achievments I cited were achived over time (think linear) and not all at once. As I said the common criteria here was "health care" and that career choice allowed me many opportunities as noted before. We can all achieve wonderful things if we remain focused and flexible in our endeavors.

Thanks again for the compliments and words of encouragement to you all.

-HBS