Second Career Nurse Roll Call

Published

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!

I'm 42 and have been in payroll/finance for over 16 years and have a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. I thought about nursing a few years back and finally decided to go for it. I'm currently taking my prerequisites and look forward to the journey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
Technical Writer for semiconductor equipment- 2 years

Stay at home mom- 11 years

Nurse- 5 years and counting

I did semiconductors too! I worked for Qimonda for a few years! It was a cool experience, until the jobs got sent overseas of course.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.

Wow Everyone!

Thank you so much for all the replies. It is awesome to see how many different and alike backgrounds have made the switch to nursing. I truly believe we bring so much to the plate with a different way of seeing things and fixing things.

Also, thank you for helping me with my thoughts on a school assignment. I hope the best for all of you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
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." :D

I am dying, "Always Pirates" LOL!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
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.

Now that is a really interesting background!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I guess we were in similar fields. I also worked in electronics as a flight simulator technician at a major airline.

Quite a difference compared to this nursing thing :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
I guess we were in similar fields. I also worked in electronics as a flight simulator technician at a major airline.

Quite a difference compared to this nursing thing :)

Yes we were. In the military I did aviation electronics :-) It is a huge difference, but looking back I am happy I have such a diverse background in ways and wish I had went straight to nursing in others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I started out in nursing school when I was young. (19, 20), and got accepted into nursing school my 2nd semester. All my courses were science. I was young and flighty - plus I had a friend that worked as an assistant for a "new home" builder. I got hired as well - perfect hours . worked in real estate for over 20 years.

decided to go back and finish my degree - now working as an RN. I will be working nights. Considered trying to do both -lol -but doubt it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Float Pool - A Little Bit of Everything.
I started out in nursing school when I was young. (19, 20), and got accepted into nursing school my 2nd semester. All my courses were science. I was young and flighty - plus I had a friend that worked as an assistant for a "new home" builder. I got hired as well - perfect hours . worked in real estate for over 20 years.

decided to go back and finish my degree - now working as an RN. I will be working nights. Considered trying to do both -lol -but doubt it.

Well everything happens for a reason, maybe you will be a better nurse because of the experiences you had before taking the dive :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Interesting, the Air Force is where I got my start. In good old Minot ND

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was a stay at home mom for 3 years, and then a librarian for 4 years. Went back to school during my divorce. Nursing was always a "someday" job for me, but my situation didn't allow for focused schooling (I was in and out a lot between high school and when I finally made the plunge). I've only been a nurse for a handful of months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

I was a landscape architect for 6 years and then a stay at home mom for 13 years. Now beginning July 18th, I will be a new grad nurse,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion