What career did you have before nursing?

loriangel14, RN · Dec 5, 2011

!. babysitter

2. groom/assistant trainer of race horses

3. worked in equine supply retail shop

4. stay at home mom for 5 years

5. chef's assistant in a fancy restaurant

6.Personal Support Worker and worked in housekeeping at a residential school

7.nurse.

anurseatlast · Dec 5, 2011

I worked as a CNA at a nursing home and hospital when I was in high school. I got married and switched to working for a medical temp agency (better hours). I did that until I had my son. Then I was fortunate to stay home with my children. I taught them at home through high school. I relearned algebra with them which came in handy for college! As a hobby, I became a childbirth and breastfeeding educator. I only taught once a week and it was something I did for me - I loved it.

When I became a single parent, I knew I needed an education to make enough to survive.I decided to fulfill a childhood dream - to be a nurse. I started taking pre-reqs and took about 2 1/2yrs to finish them while working numerous part-time jobs (teaching, cleaning houses and a church, etc), finishing the last 2 1/2 years of teaching my daughter through high school and caring for my mom after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I did mostly online because I just didn't have time to actually go to class. It was a crazy time. I finished my associates in pre-nursing 3 months after my mom died. I began an accelerated program 9 months later and graduated at age 51.

Going into nursing was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have a job I love and know I make a difference. I work for a great company and have very supportive coworkers. If you want to change careers later in life, go for it. You will eventually be 5 years older anyway. Why not be doing something you love?

Luv2BAnurse · Dec 5, 2011

I went to nursing school right out of high school but quit one year into the 3 year diploma program. I got married and had children then became a teacher's assistant with NC Public Schools. After a few years of being talked down to by one specific teacher I decided to go back to nursing school. I liked being in the public schools, but I love nursing!

sunbaby0811 · Dec 5, 2011

I already have an AA degree. So some of my prerequisites are taken care of. My nursing adviser recommended I take ONE class at a time (to achieve a high competitive GPA for NS). She said it would take me a good 18 months or so to complete them. I guess her philosophy is better to take it slow and get good grades, then to rush through with poor grades.

That's what I'm doing too. I have a bachelors in business but need a ton of science pre-reqs. It's going to take me 18-24m to get them all done. I'm taking 1 or 2 classes at a time and plan/hope/pray for all As. The BSN Im looking at is tough to get into!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Dec 5, 2011

Approximately 10 years of secretarial worked for several different insurance companies, a couple hospitals, even a brewing company thru Olsten Temping.

Lynx25, LPN · Dec 5, 2011

You know, there were two former exotic dancers in my nursing class- It was a definite step down in the money they were formerly making!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2011

From ages 17 to 19 I worked a string of fast-food jobs and lower-paying retail positions (McDonald's, Wienerschnitzel, the 99 Cent Store, Target, a couple of grocery stores). Although I had been accepted for admission into three regional state universities, my parents refused to provide their financial info on the FAFSA or cosign any student loans, so I ended up entering the entry-level workforce immediately after high school graduation.

I was a factory worker at a paper products plant from ages 20 to 23. At age 23 (late 2004) I took the plunge and enrolled in a 12-month LPN/LVN program because I realized that the factory job could easily be eliminated through automation.

I became an LVN one month shy of turning 25, and I received my RN license at age 29. I am now 30. The last ten years have been surreal.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · Dec 5, 2011

I was a regional administrator for a large healthcare company, eventually becoming a financial officer.

I also worked as an Interior Decorator.

I became an RN at 51.

LooLoo · Dec 5, 2011

I am a certified middle school teacher, but I never worked as a teacher.

I have worked in (mostly) records management, since graduation. Most recently, 8 years at a pharma company.

I never wanted to be a nurse. My mom was a nurse when I was child, and it nearly gave her a breakdown.

After a few years of thinking I wanted to be a librarian, I became very interested in fertility and childbirth. I have been trained to teach natural family planning, to be a doula, and to teach childbirth education.

I decided a few years ago that I wanted to be a midwife, and decided nurse-midwifery was the path for me.

I just got my acceptance letter to an ASN program at the local community college. I was able to transfer a lot of credit from my BS, but I wanted to be an English teacher, so I needed to take a lot of science.

Now I have four semesters to my RN. I will be 35 in a few days.

I've still have a BSN and a MSN until I will be a CNM.

oh, and I have a a three year old and an almost two year old and I work full time.

glencovediva · Dec 5, 2011

My first degree was a BS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. I worked as a Clinical Laboratory Tech and then as a Laboratory Supervisor for several years. I went back to school for nursing and graduated with a BSN in 2005. Good luck in school.

DaniannaRN, ASN, BSN · Dec 5, 2011

While going thru nursing school, I worked in a group home for the mentally disabled. I loved it so much and I wish I could still do that as a nurse. It's a good job for those who are in school cuz it allows you time to study, especially on evening shifts.

Prior to that, I was a nurse's aide.

Bonnie86 · Dec 5, 2011

I did medical transcription for 20 years. RN at 43. It's never to late to learn something new.