What other careers did you consider before nursing?

hock1 · Dec 28, 2004

I was an exec secretary for five years, then a stay at home mom for 12 years. I considered teaching, dental hygiene, and interior design. I took the prereqs for hygiene which are very close to nursing program prereqs. In the meantime I was the designated caregiver for anybody in need. That's when I decided to go into nursing. Just couldn't stay away from the caregiver role.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 28, 2004

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.

# 1 An indepently wealthy woman with no job, a maid and lots of dogs.

I choose nursing, I am the maid and I do have lots of dogs (7). Had I to do it over again I would have been a Dermatologist or a Veterinarian.

At 20 years of age and parents who would have paid for any choice I made, I made the choice to become an LPN so I could hurry and get married. At age 46 I graduated from nursing school with my RN and guess what ! My parents reimbursed my every penny as a graduation present! I didn't know until I got the check. They were waiting to make sure I would finish. My Dad said hey go for your medical licence as a Dermatologist but hey I want to be able to work once I graduate, I would be ready for retirement but you gotta love a Dad like that !

BS Nursing Student · Dec 29, 2004

I was a sales person for many years. The $$$$ was good, but based on the economy, which wasn't so good for the past several years. I got tired of threats of being fired every month for not making a certain quota. In business, you can never do enough for your employer. Sell $40,000 this month, next month they want $50,000. I got tired of it and decided to do something totally different.

forensicRN · Dec 29, 2004

All my jobs since I was 14 were in healthcare. I started in highschool as a CNA then EMT , LPN, now RN and I love every minute of it. I was going into the Police Science part of it and hold that degree. I really wanted to be a Criminal Psychiatrist or Profiler but I really Love working as a Forensic Nurse. They use me as an Investigator and I really get to do a lot of everything. To keep up on my meds I work part-time in our Trauma Center and ER.

forensicRN · Dec 29, 2004

Ever since I was 14 I worked in health care. I started out as a CNA, EMT, LPN, and now RN. I hold my Police Science Degree because I wanted to do criminal profiling or criminal behavior psychiatry, but I love Forensic Nursing. I get to do everything I want, and to keep up on the meds I work part time in our ER/ Trauma center.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2004

All my jobs since I was 14 were in healthcare. I started in highschool as a CNA then EMT , LPN, now RN and I love every minute of it. I was going into the Police Science part of it and hold that degree. I really wanted to be a Criminal Psychiatrist or Profiler but I really Love working as a Forensic Nurse. They use me as an Investigator and I really get to do a lot of everything. To keep up on my meds I work part-time in our Trauma Center and ER.

after i got over wanting to be a poet (was really quite good, if unpolished), i really wanted to be a criminal psychologist. figured that i wouldn't pass the background check bc of my really bizarre and scary family history.

so i hemmed and hawed for many years, working in coffee shops and reading all the medical books i could until i finally decided to bite the bullet and become a nurse. at first i felt like it was second to becoming a doctor, but after seeing how little doctors are actually with patients nad how much nurses get to see the inner workings of patients, i'm really pleased with my decision.

how does one become a forensic nurse?

Haunted · Dec 29, 2004

In the 80's I was a top Private Detective. I was highly paid because I was an unobtrusive female in a male dominated profession. I carried a gun (never shot it once) had a badge and kept hours that would make Satan weep. I was a true adrenalin junky who dealt with restraining orders, divorce investigation, asset location and eventually workers comp fraud. I served legal process on the rich and famous, was kidnapped and help at gun point by drug addicted junkies, chased on foot by maniacs in 4 wheel drive jeeps, stabbed by nut jobs and spit upon and reviled by ne'eer do wells. I was the woman every lawyer in LA wanted and the most hated individual to the bad guy. I made 5 figures a year and was young and dumb. Never guess what the turning point to my wild days career was....

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2004

welll!!?!??!!!!

*waits with baited breath*

BS Nursing Student · Dec 29, 2004

That sounds really interesting. How do you train to become a forensic nurse?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 29, 2004

I wanted to be a Veterinarian very badly! However, I got grants offered to me if I became a nurse so I said...well, guess humans it is.

I still have a part of my heart that wishes to be a veterinarian, but I am not going back to school for that long and that expense at this time, plus it is my hubby's turn to go to school if he wants. So I have been looking for other opportunities to either change field totally in Nursing (that is the nice thing...you can switch around to something more suited for you if you wish and have the resources), or leave nursing all together and do something else medical related. It will all depend on cost and time to train...

Nursing is a great career, however I do not like where I am currently...but in nursing, you have the power to change that situation and still be a nurse! Can't say that about every career!

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2004

welll!!?!??!!!!
*waits with baited breath*

oh Haunted! im dying of curiosity. i think that life as a PI must have been kinda cool.

Haunted · Feb 9, 2005

I served divorce papers on an RN who worked in the ER in Redondo Beach. When he came swinging thru the doors with his scrubs a flyin and his confidence radiating I thought, DAMN! I want this guys life!! Since he was just getting off we went for a friendly drink and the way he described his job just stuck with me for years. Plus, I was getting slower and thus got routinely pistol whipped and chased and beat up. After my son started school I began to take my pre reqs part time until I could get a slot in nursing school.

I have often wondered if there was some way to incorporate my investigative skills with nursing.....