Second Career Nurse Roll Call

[NotYourMamasRN]

Hi All,

This is partially for a graduate assignment and partially out of personal interest. Fellow second career nurses, what was your first career field?

I was an electronics technician in the military and as a civilian for 8 years. I have a BS in Management. I went from troubleshooting electronics to troubleshooting people.

Thank you for sharing!

[littlespitfire]

Coast Guard for 4 years :)

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Coast Guard for 4 years :)

I used to work with a lot of Coasties when I worked in government consulting. I told them that "Semper Paratus" sounded like "Always Pirates."

[djh123]

Programmer/analyst for several large corporations, one state and one federal agency, for almost 25 years. Should've changed careers sooner, but stuck with it for this reason and that. Graduated 4 years ago w/BSN.

[Maevish, ASN, RN]

It wasn't something I went to school for, but I was a natural supplements consultant for about 4 years, which was fun. Then after nursing school and not using that other stuff so much, I forgot a lot of it:grumpy: I taught piano on the side for a bit after my music stuff and before nursing school started in earnest.

xo

[Wrench Party]

Biochem, and then research tech/lab manager. Pay was abysmal, but my benefits and hours were pretty sweet. Only way to seriously advance in my field was a PhD, and I wasn't about the waste my late 20s/early 30s going down that rabbit hole, only to end up underemployed as an adjunct professor with no real hope of tenure (like half my friends).

Got into nursing for the pay, scheduling flexibility, career options and to talk to people. You couldn't pay me to work day shift these days (in fact, my per diem position is offering incentive pay today for this. No way Jose!)

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I was a cosmetologist for eight years. When the salon I worked for closed I decided I had had enough of being on my feet 8+ hours a day for barely minimum wage and relying on tips to make ends meet. Nursing at that time was wide open with big sign on bonuses almost everywhere and generous benefits so I went back to school and never looked back.

[anon456, BSN, RN]

Technical Writer for semiconductor equipment- 2 years

Stay at home mom- 11 years

Nurse- 5 years and counting

[SomeoneSomewhere]

Legal x 30+ years.

I absolutely LOVE being a nurse, HOWEVER, I make much more in legal so that's my 9-to-5 and I work as a nurse on weekends.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

After graduating college with a BA in psychology, I couldn't find a decent paying job, so I got a position as a flight attendant. I figured if I was going to work a low paying job, I might as well travel the world while waiting for the recession to end. During this time, I also joined the Naval Reserves and worked in intelligence.

After being assaulted on a flight, I decided I wanted to arrest my passengers instead of handing out Cokes. I went through a grueling process for a career change to a public safety officer. I was a police officer, aircraft rescue and structural firefighter, and later paramedic. I absolutely loved my career. Once I was married and had kids, I had to change careers once again for my family and that's how I changed careers to nursing. I finished my BSN last year and I am contemplating going to graduate school for my FNP or psych NP. After that, I plan to ride off into the retirement sunset.

[AndiL2803]

Owned my own salon for 3 years. The end of last year I decided it was time to go back to school and pursue nursing. Closed my shop the end of March and currently waiting for my acceptance letter. If accepted, I start school in July!!!!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Medical Technologist-tech, then management for more years than I care to count. Went back to nursing school at age 45.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Medical research x 10 years. Graduating nursing school next December at 37y/o