Second-career? what was the first?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi all -

Just wondering - if nursing is your second career, what was your first career? why did you leave it?

Hello, all

I started out teaching after I obtained my degree in History, did that for two years. I then became a librarian, did that for about 4 years and now I will start LPN school in the fall. I'm excited.

I worked in a Day Care facility, quit that and worked in a factory for a couple of years. Then quit that when I have my first baby. Finally went back to school to be a nurse. I wanted to make a better life for my family et HATED working in a factory to make money. Now I LOVE my job.

Leslie

Specializes in med/surg, telemetry.

My 'first' career has been being a mom and wife. I've spent all of my 16 years of marriage taking care of the house, kids, etc. We have 4 daughters. Once the last one was in school, then I started to school for my nursing degree. I just graduated May 20th with my BSN. And just yesterday I signed a job offer with a local hospital for working on their telemetry floor as a graduate nurse. I'm so nervous and excited. This truly is my first real job, which seems sad to me with me being nearing 35 years old. I had only worked fast food and such prior to marriage. Now I'm just terrified about passing the NCLEX. I'm just waiting for my ATT so I can schedule a test date. Wish me luck!!!

I have always worked in Non-Profit organizations. I start Nursing classes this Fall.

Specializes in hospice, home care, LTC.

Educator with multiple handicapped children. LOVED the kids. Was a wonderful job until there was a shake-up in the school heirarchy. New principle was heartless. Hubby took a re-lo offer. After the move I realized my heart just wasn't in it anymore. Nursing had been my first career choice right out of high school. Had done 1 year of study then switched to ed because of subordinate climate in nursing at that time. Went back to school for RN and sooo glad I did.

chemical engineering....

i left b/c i never really did like it - i hadn't made a very informed decision when i started college the first time, after working for almost 2 years and growing to really hate it, i decided to go into nursing b/c i had also thought about going into healthcare. i start NS this august and i couldn't be more excited!

am currently a mortgage underwriter, makes great money but was not fulfilling the deeper calling --- had open heart surgery in 1997 and have always wanted to give something back and feel i can be a great advocate for both sides of the coin and an even better nurse because of it. been toying with the idea for a very long time but while sitting at my desk last year, got a clear thought "go back to school" so i answered GOD's call finally and here I am --- begin August 20.

Specializes in Junior Year of BSN.

First career I was a diesel mechanic in the army. This will be my second career as long as I pass nursing school, God willing.

Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.

High School English teacher. Did it for three years, hated every second of it....now in nursing school.

right now i am only doing the pre-reqs. i am not sure about the change though. every time i think about leaving the classroom, i begin the miss the perks. plus i am not excited about the drop in salary initially.

i will keep you posted. there are a few other teachers here.

i was a teacher.

me too. how was the transition for you?

well, i will be starting the nursing program in august, so i will let you know more once i have actually started. right now, i am excited about the change and feel like i am definitely making the right decision. i stopped teaching right after i decided to go back to school for nursing. so far, i'm happy with my decision, and i don't miss teaching one bit. however, i know that the real stress won't begin until august. how was the transition for you?

I like there are a few other teachers here. I wish we had a support thread or something. I am not quite sure how the transition will be for me. I am so use to the hours and breaks...though I know the classroom is so much more than that.

I guess when school starts again in August, I will be reminded why I really want to leave.

High School English teacher. Did it for three years, hated every second of it....now in nursing school.
Specializes in Cardiac.

I earned a Bachelor's in Psychology 4 years ago and worked as a mental health case manager for a few years. Very interesting job...still have a love for Psych but loved how many career options Nursing provides. So now I'm in a Bachelor's program for Nursing! Will graduate in June 2009...can't wait!

+ Add a Comment