What other careers did you consider before nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Were they in the medical field? Why did you opt against those other choices? I'm attracted to the flexibity of nursing but I'm not sure if that's what i want to do? I want to stay in the medical field but I need some direction.

Specializes in ER.
Were they in the medical field? Why did you opt against those other choices? I'm attracted to the flexibity of nursing but I'm not sure if that's what i want to do? I want to stay in the medical field but I need some direction.

I still am a Medic (15 years into this!) and did full-time administration/supervision for a few ambulance services. I still do consulting, teaching, and the occasional shift in an ambulance.

Chip

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My first degree was in Anthropology. Very interesting...not too practical. So, I decided to go back to school and considered medical school. But, after lots of reasearch and thinking, I decided that eventually becoming a nurse practitioner was the route for me.

First of all, I want a career I love and feel is helpful to others, but I do NOT want my career to be my entire life. I also want to have a family and be around for my children, have hobbies and maybe write a novel some day. In other words, I want a life outside of my career.

Also, FNPs provide very much the same care as family practice docs (even better, in my opinion, because nurses often have a more personal touch with their patients) and they are far more costs effective for clinics and hospitals. In some states you can even have your own practice as a nurse practitioner.

Even if a master's is not in your plan, the field of nursing is VERY diverse and becoming more so every day. My partner's mother is a nurse, and she works from home assessing medical claims for an insurance company! THere is also nurse informatics, an up and coming field if you're into technology. There are many options. My only suggestion would be to earn your BSN, even if you get an associates first. It opens up more doors for you...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always wanted to be a professional dancer, but was told I was too short for stage performance. I then started college to become a photographer for National Geographics so I could travel, when my mom told me to get real. She encouraged me to become a traveling nurse! I then realized nursing was about the only thing I could see myself doing...I was not the agressive business type, and I hardly understood politics! So I hve just recently graduated from nursing school, and I am so glad I am on my way to becoming a nurse!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I was originally an Emergency Health Services major...then I decided to become a nurse...being an EMT is great but it definitely takes it's toll on your body...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Medicine.

I wanted to be on the House of Representatives in high school. But then I decided I wanted to be a high school or college English teacher. I LOVE English with a passion! But I decided that I wanted my career to be more challenging. I wanted to do something that I would really have to work hard in. Since I've been in nursing I love it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:chuckle

I wanted to be a mercenary but it just didn't work out for me. :coollook:
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient Acute Rehab.

I considered being a Goddess, but when that did not work out, I decided to become a nurse. :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural Health.

Majored in Criminal Justice Administration 10 years ago. Graduated and worked with mentally ill children and adults, worked with Headstart teaching 4-5 year olds then became a dispatcher (911, police, fire, EMS). Done that the last 6 years and now (until the end of next week) I run a 911 center. I am also an EMT.

Ending this chapter on Dec. 30th to start a brand new one and going to school to get my ADN. I start classes Jan. 10th. I also start a brand new job at a hospital as a unit secretary in NICU the 1st of Jan. I can not wait.

This is all I've wanted since I was 16 years old, I just wished I would have listened to my heart all those years ago and went ahead and got my degree in nursing instead of Criminal Justice....oh well the past is in the past and now I get to start on my ADN!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

I was a carpenter for many years. When I decided I wanted a steady, indoor job with benefits, I applied for a Facilities job at my hospital, but got interviewed for Nursing Services. It sounded interesting, so I took it, thinking it was at least a foot in the door. Three months later, a Facilities job came open and I thought, "I've done that." Stayed where I am, but decided I needed to advance into an actual career.

I considered PT for a while. I was working in ortho, and body mechanics fascinate me. But I don't think I have enough drill sergeant in me for PT--I have to work at being assertive enough for nursing.

If I were younger, I would really think seriously about orthopedic surgery. I watched a knee replacement in my OR rotation. POWER TOOLS! Plus, it would be nice to be able to use my carpentry skills.

I work on a neuro unit, now. Another place where a strong back comes in handy. Might eventually go back to ortho, though. I love the older pts with knees and hips. Not so crazy about some of the younger ones who get drunk and break something, though. I don't mean to be judgemental, it's just that the older folks know the drill and usually have better manners.

When I started school and everyone was asking what I was going to specialize in (specialize?) I told them pediatric gynecology. Now all I have left is OB/GYN and Peds. Crap!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I was little I wanted to be a veternarian. But as I got older, I discovered I became so attached to my pets that I couldn't stand to see them hurt or die. So in high school I discovered Art. This was something I was good at and it was easy to do. So against my dad's wishes I got a BFA in Graphic Design. For 10 years I jumped from project to project, and I finally realized this was not a career and definitely not fullfilling.

So through much soul searching and support from my husband and 3 kids I went back to school to become a nurse. I came to realize that nursing was in my blood. It was so much of who I already was and what I already did with my own children. My grandmother, aunt and my mother (briefly) were nurses. I grew up with the terminolgy and the skills as part of my everyday life. It still amazes me as I sit back and realize how well nursing just fits.

Well I start clinicals on Jan 3, and I will have my BSN in December of 2006. I cannot wait to start this new and rewarding chapter of my life.

It just goes to show you can be whoever you want and you can change careers, it just takes time, patience and most of all courage.:rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care.

Licensed cosmetologist

I often thought about "teaching" until I had kids... :nono:

I also thought to work for my husbands company...(maybe as an occupational nurse :idea: )

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always wanted to be a Psychiatrist. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment