Nursing student jobs

[tst07]

Last year I received my Masters degree in Chemistry and have had sampled two careers (teaching and working at a pharma company). I've had a change of heart with my degree choice mostly because I recognized I have changed as a person drastically over the 7 years it took me to earn that degree. I've always thought about a career in healthcare and have decided to pursue nursing, eventually work my way up to being a NP. I know I'm getting into it for the right reasons (I took care of my sick mother for 15 years, nurses in my family, my fascination how the body heals itself, nothing grosses me out, and my extensive experiences with hospitals, nurses, and nursing students). I have to take a couple of prereqs (A&P and a couple of others) before I enroll in a BSN program.

I guess this question is directed more toward the 2nd career nurses. I've read that some of you had been techs at hospitals before getting your degree. Is there anybody here who has done something else to support themselves while in school?

Thanx!

[liv2b]

i was a bartender/drywaller before coming to school. saved enough that between loans it all works on a 20 hr/wk cna at assisted living. tending bar was good times...was in a different place too. saw and experienced people and diseases in their natural environment (alcoholism, smoking, excessive eating/habits of labor jobs). i always felt it was better i was their then someone else; i could exert some moral responsibility in a place where that was not highly regarded.

i think it set me up to give more realistic education to patients and set them up for success. whatever you do, build on it for the future (could help to incorporate that for a resume but probably not...).

i'm in an accelerated fast-track program...you need to be able to absorb it all. there are a couple students that worked in the lab or as aids and they definitely have a leg up. i’m learning as i go and i think the nurses like that i’m interested in everything going on. clinical experience was fun for me but they seemed burnt out already...like they wish they were getting paid for it. haha.