I've met more than a few people that have made or are pursuing nursing as a second career. What did you do before? What are the ups and downs in comparison?I'm not a nurse yet, but since I'm the OP, I'll go first. After being a fast food worker, a pizza cook, and a warehouse worker for Best Buy, I was an intel analyst in the Army, serving everywhere from infantry battalions all the way up to division headquarters. Later, I was a targeting analyst for an established defense firm, and later still for a an upstart company that took the contract from my original bosses. 10 years down the road and seven countries later, I'm knocking out the rest of my pre-reqs before I begin nursing school in January.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN 5,047 Posts Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro. Has 16 years experience. Aug 22, 2015 I started my first nursing job just shy of 24. Before that I was a CNA. While in high school I was a church organist.
golson 96 Posts Aug 22, 2015 I started my first nursing job just shy of 24. Before that I was a CNA. While in high school I was a church organist.Ever dream of making it big and being an organist/keyboardist for a pro hockey team?
PghRN15 73 Posts Specializes in Hospice. Has 2 years experience. Aug 22, 2015 I became an LPN at 48 and an RN at 50. Prior to that, I lived in Florida. I was a park ranger then promoted to manager. I worked for the state. It was a great job. Free housing, free vehicle, excellent benefits that salary was not super but hey I lived on the ocean for free. I was on call 24/7 because my housing was on the park I worked. I would have retired from there had I stayed in Florida. I moved up north and those types of jobs do not exist. As a kid and teenager I wanted to be a nurse, now I am. I have been blessed in life to have two careers that I love.
NurslingNicole 61 Posts Aug 22, 2015 I became an LPN at 48 and an RN at 50. Prior to that, I lived in Florida. I was a park ranger then promoted to manager. I worked for the state. It was a great job. Free housing, free vehicle, excellent benefits that salary was not super but hey I lived on the ocean for free. I was on call 24/7 because my housing was on the park I worked. I would have retired from there had I stayed in Florida. I moved up north and those types of jobs do not exist. As a kid and teenager I wanted to be a nurse, now I am. I have been blessed in life to have two careers that I love.I bet that was an awesome job!
WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN 1 Article; 2,077 Posts Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education. Has 22 years experience. Aug 22, 2015 I was born a nurse, fully clothed from my pin, cap, and cape.Actually I did retail. But the first sounds better.
joanna73, BSN, RN 1 Article; 4,767 Posts Specializes in geriatrics. Aug 22, 2015 I traveled and then worked in various hotels as a concierge and later guest services manager. I became an RN at 36.
Horseshoe, BSN, RN 5,879 Posts Aug 22, 2015 School teacher! Hated it.But LOVE the teaching aspect of nursing. Go figure.
BertG77 134 Posts Aug 22, 2015 I was a musician and recording engineer for almost all of my 20's, then got into cooking and worked as a chef in various restaurants in San Francisco for about 8 years or so. The whole time I was having fun but always felt like I was selling myself short, unhappy, kind of just doing what came my way. I had always wanted to go to college but had a nagging voice in my head that told me school wasn't for me. It was only after a few failed relationships that I was forced to really evaluate things and conjure up the guts to pursue what really mattered to me.
Twinmom06, ASN, APN 1,171 Posts Aug 23, 2015 Phone CSR for 13 years which included getting my insurance license. Got sick in 2010 and laid off when my FMLA was up. Had always wanted to go to nursing school, so I graduated in 2013 at age 39.
Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN 5,047 Posts Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro. Has 16 years experience. Aug 23, 2015 Ever dream of making it big and being an organist/keyboardist for a pro hockey team?Hmm that's an interesting idea! If you ever get wind of the Wild looking for one, let me know.
LabRat3 13 Posts Aug 23, 2015 Just left my job yesterday managing a cell therapy lab to pursue nursing. We performed cell processing for blood and marrow transplants. My biology degree is still precious to me but I'm ready for a change! School starts on Monday!