Professions before nursing

FLmomof5 · Nov 23, 2009

Rocket scientist then mainframe programmer.

us2uk4u · Nov 23, 2009

Worked as a conference organizer for over 8 years serving the petrochemical/pharmaceutical industries. Then my son was diagnosed with autism. I realized that my life as a world traveler had to end and I needed a career that can offer flexibility. I am already thirty two and being a doctor was out of the question.

mb1949 · Nov 23, 2009

Legal secretary and paralegal for 20+ years, yikes, now my last year of nursing school

sunnycalifRN · Nov 23, 2009

factory worker (rubber, aerospace), computer/high tech, respiratory therapist

4theBetterGetter, RN · Nov 23, 2009

Nursing assistant...........it's a genetic theme in my family!

alicetinker · Nov 23, 2009

Nursing is my second career. Got my BA in music/theater. Worked as an opera singer by night for about 15 years. Days jobs ranged from science education to health insurance counseling to academic medicine admin. My last day job was managing federal medical research grants. So happy to be in nursing!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

While in high school, I worked at McDonald's for almost a year and at another fast-food place called Wienerschnitzel for a few months. I then proceeded to work at a string of low-paying retail jobs for the first 2 years after high school. I've worked at Target, the 99 Cent Store, and a couple of supermarkets. I found a higher-paying job at a factory that was owned by a fortune 500 company approximately 2 years after high school, and I ended up remaining employed there for more than 3 years.

After realizing that my lack of educational attainment would severely limit me if something ever happened to the factory job, I took the risky plunge of enrolling in a full-time 12 month LPN/LVN program. I've been an LVN for 4 years. I will graduate from an RN-ADN program in a few months.

hellerd2003, RN · Nov 23, 2009

Gosh, this could turn into a novel.

High school-- worked at an Arby's. Yuck.

During college (undergrad was in psych), I worked at a camp for kids/ adults with developmental disabilities. That was my absolute FAVORITE job. I also worked part-time at a group home, and for a bit of time (before I moved back to my hometown) was an activities coordinator in an alzheimer's/ dementia unit.

I received my MA in occupational therapy. While I was finishing my MA, I worked as a mental health counselor. As an OT, I worked in psych (started a program at the facility where I had worked as a mental health counselor, assisting clients in developing independent living skills). Then I moved into a case management position in a senior housing program.

Received my post-baccalaureate certification in nursing and went to work in ICU. Received my MS in nursing; now finishing up coursework to become a FNP.

So, I guess nursing is a third career, and a stepping stone to me being what I want to be into the future.

canigraduate · Nov 23, 2009

Office girl, cashier, stocker, waitress, graphic designer, now CNA. Will be starting nursing school this summer and I CAN'T WAIT!!!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

in order.....Dietary Aide, CNA, Cosmetologist, Stay at home mom, LPN, RN

ShiphrahPuah · Nov 23, 2009

Mainframe computer programmer/systems analyst for 2 years, corporate trainer/course developer for 3 years, stay-at-home mom for 13 years (best job ever), ER registration while in nursing school, now RN.

There are pros and cons to every job. Sometimes I do miss the professionalism of corporate America (lots of different problems there too, but unfortunately I am shocked at how UNprofessional some people in the hospital are.) However, even when I am having a bad day as an RN, I still know (usually) that I am making a difference for people, and that is what makes nursing a great profession and makes me glad I ended up where I am.

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

I was in the military. I worked as a hunter/killer of bad guys. Taking lives or saving lives.I look at it as two sides of the same coin.