what did you have a previous degree in before you went into nursing?

ceccia · Jul 3, 2014

How would you be paying your bills now while you try to break back into music if not for nursing?

very likely the same way i had been paying them before nursing school. the sad part is, literally as soon as i started the nsg program, things picked back up and several really good contracts came my way. like a dumb ass, i turned them down because by that point i was freaking out about having student loans for the first time in my life, plus all the guilt trips from my family, and i felt like i couldn't drop out. i wouldn't need to build my contacts/resume/studio up again now if i had stayed the course. looking at yearly earnings, i made more money doing what i love than i've ever made in any year as a nurse.

Maybe nursing isn't for you, but having a degree in *something* practical as a backup was good advice.[/Quote]
it could be great advice or terrible advice, depending on the person! entrepreneurs are generally ****** employees.

Carrie RN · Jul 4, 2014

I was a social worker and did hospice/home health. I lived in a state that licensed at the bachelor's level. Social workers usually need to get an MSW, at that time I felt like I couldn't afford it. So I went to nursing school back in the 90s. I love being a nurse.

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Jul 4, 2014

Statistical analysis and management. I worked in casinos from age 19 until I left to return to school. I started working in the cash cage, moved on to cocktails, then became a card dealer (most money in a casino), worked my way up to table games management, and finally worked as an HR coordinator and training manager for table games.

Mossback · Jul 5, 2014

My first degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. I worked for 35 years in commercial television, then went back to school and got a BSN. I'm now working full time in a med-surg unit at a university-affiliated medical center and working on my master's degree. By the time I'm done I will have spent 11 years of my adult life in higher education, making me officially over-educated.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 5, 2014

My Bachelor's is in Sports Medicine. After going through a few career changes (usually out of necessity) I began pursuing Nursing before 2008 and kept at it. Now I'm a New Grad RN and while I'm looking for a job, I've certainly found where I need to be. Right back to taking care of people.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

BA in English literature, IMO one of the best degrees in which to develop critical thinking skills.

Nonyvole, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2014

BS in biology. And I was a paramedic, which is what really made me decide to go into nursing.

verene, MSN · Jul 6, 2014

I have a B.A with majors in Russian Literature, and European Studies. Graduated in 2009 so no way I was going to get a gov't job like I planned (wanted to do state dept.). Ended up working Patent Law for 3 years, first as an admin then as a paralegal. I had to leave because for the second time in as many years I was being a full-time caregiver to a very ill family member and couldn't handle being full-time for both family and work. Realized caregiving is a huge part of who I am. I'm now working as a CNA and going through the pre-reqs for nursing school.

In a big way I'm coming back to a lot of my childhood interests and rediscovering who I actually am again.

sistrmoon, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

I have a BA in English with a Spanish minor. I worked for an IT consulting startup company as HR manager and did various other office management jobs before starting the nursing program when I was 28. I basically got laid off twice in a year and wanted some job stability. I have a lot of nurses in my family.

I've been an Onc nurse for 7 years.

ksuheather · Jul 7, 2014

I have a be in elementary ed, and half a masters in English as a second language instruction. I taught for 9 years and knew the entire time it was not for me. I am a can while in school and even on my worst day I still love it more than teaching.

Racer15, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

I have a BSA in animal health technology. Loved being a vet tech but the pay was lousy. Grandpa told me he'd pay my way if I went to nursing school so I said what the heck. Now I'm an ER nurse. Miss working with animals a heck of a whole lot but can't beat the pay I get now.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

I've told this story before...I was accepted to three regional state universities during my senior year of high school, but instead worked a string of dead-end jobs well into my early twenties before enrolling in a fast track LVN program.

I once worked at McDonald's, Wienerschnitzel, Target, the 99 Cent Store, a temp agency, two grocery stores, a couple of direct care gigs, and finally a paper products factory for three years.

In essence, I did not have a career prior to nursing. Rather, I had a string of jobs that offered mostly low pay and no chance for advancement.