What career did you have before nursing?

[julibyrd]

And how long did you stay in that job? I am a retail and restaurant recruiter. I have been working from home for the past five years. Before that, I worked in the brokerage field. But I have always wanted to be a nurse. I will be starting my very first prerequisite (Chem 1032) in January 2012. I was advised to take one class at a time. I figure it will take me from start to finish a good 3-4 years. I am 45 years old. How about you?

[cacentralvalley]

Educator....teacher for 6 years then administration for five then retired from education

[Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN]

I killed people and trained others fo do it also. I was a Special Forces soldier. Spent 6 years doing that. Served in Central America, and Kuwait/Iraq during the first Gulf War. Brcame an RN at age 24, but could mot practice for two years untill I got out.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I was a corrections officer and supervisor on death row in my state prison system for most of my adult life. Also did county law enforcement, followed by a stint in the credit card industry.

My wife hated my working 100 hours a week, so talked me into going back to school for a career change. Supported me through it all.

Became an RN at 41, went to nursing school on a whim after finding a long waiting list to get into Rad Tech program. Thank God for that...I love my job as an RN in the NICU and now realize I'd have hated the rad tech stuff.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I became a LVN at 19. RN at 24.

Prior to that, I was a secretary to a home appraiser, a tutor, owner of a craft store on eBay and did consignment sales of Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior bags (also on eBay).

[wanderlust99]

No career. I worked at a few restaurants, part time in the summer. And worked as a nursing assistant while in school. But I wouldn't call those careers.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

EMT & driver-messenger

[tishluvnc]

This thread really gave me inspiration, I've read them all! Keep them comming. I'm a cna who is about to graduate with a sociology degree and is trying to decide between nursing or social work. Every nurse LPN or RN tell me to go for it and the social workers do too! Great inspiration for us late bloomers.

[HopefulRN2010]

I was a Flight Attendant, and continued working as one through my core classes. It didn't really mesh well with the hectic pace of nursing school, so I had to quit after the first year in the nursing program. Then took a nurse extern position until graduating.

Graduated from nursing school at the age of 25.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Great thread very interesting to read what fantastic experiences you are all bringing to nursing-thank you.

As for me I've always been a RN-been a fantastic 22years-cannot remember life before

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I was in retail management, then later hotel management. I worked in Guest Services, as a Head Concierge, and I also did some event planning. Lots of fun most of the time, and great experience.

When you work in hotels, you have no choice but to be gracious to problem guests. As a result, testy patients have little effect on me. For many years, I learned to smile and take it. As a nurse, we do have more room to say no to the unreasonable requests.

I always wanted to be a nurse. I chose the other path because 20 years ago, we were facing a massive recession. Nurse couldn't get jobs. Ha ha....joke's on me I am working as a nurse, and enjoying my decision.

[MystyqueOne, BSN, RN]

I was a single mother, attending online college to attain my associate's degree in general arts, all while having my in-home preschool with 4 other children... It was definitely a very busy life, but so much worth it!

Once I began nursing school, I closed my preschool, no longer was employed and focused 100% on nursing school and my children. Keep in mind that nursing school was accelerated.... Each class was only 7 weeks long. I graduated Magna Cum Laude!

[poopprincess]

Bartender. :) Became a nurse at 29 yrs.