What did you do before nursing?

[golson]

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.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

When I worked in hotel management I worked 10-12 hours a day 5 days a week sometimes, for 8 hours of pay. I figured I may as well go back to school and make double the salary if I have to work those hours.

Nursing is far from ideal sometimes but so are many other careers, and for a lot less money.

[hawaiicarl, BSN, RN]

Started delivering newspapers door to door at 12. At 14 worked in a bowling alley as a pinboy. At 18 started full time in WEM doing maintenance, underwater repair, lifeguarding, management (learned a lot in that time, doing many different jobs). At 24 went into BScN program, and have been a nurse since, mostly critical care/flight nursing/peds/etc/etc/etc.

Cheers

[Jean Giannone]

I was a dental assistant for 12 years, went back to school for an associate degree in medical assisting. Then went back and received my RN. Now after 24 years, I am semi retired.

[Jean Giannone]

I was 42 when I became an RN. I think being older really helped get through school and on the flooe.

[MahzieLPN, LPN]

BEST of luck! You'll be great, I'm sure.

[MahzieLPN, LPN]

Nursing career path: figured out I needed to have my OWN skill-set after the death of a husband/father friend. His wife was a teacher at that time; had her own degree, etc. At that time, I worked at a college library, but with no library degree. Nursing had always interested me, so after good discussion with my dear husband, I decided to enroll in a nearby Practical Nursing program. Being the third oldest student in the class was a bit unnerving - age 26 for me - but my age benefitted me: I knew how to study and plan my time. It's been a rewarding career, particularly the 14 years in a Pediatrics office and 10 years in a General Surgery office. I am so very grateful to those two physicians for their friendship and educational opportunities at every turn; thank you!

[Bonnibren]

I graduated nursing school ON my 50th birthday. Before I became a nurse I was a hairstylist for 25 years. I became a nurse because of my oldest daughter. She was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at 13. My life changed and turned upside-down forever that week. I had to up and leave my clientele and business at the height of my career to travel to Denver Children's Hospital to be with my daughter. When we were released to come home I stayed home to take care of her with the help of a wonderful home health nurse. My daughter's body slowly deteriorated over 2 years and the last 6 months of her life, we did hospice at home with her. My daughter and our hospice nurses encouraged me to become a nurse "someday." About 4 months after my daughter passed, I knew I just couldn't go back to doing hair. I had lost the passion for it and I knew there was something else out there for me. Four months after my daughter passed, I signed up for school. I pretty much had to start from scratch with pre-requisites, so my ADN took me a little over 3 years to complete.

I love being a nurse. I'm sure my daughter is smiling down and is proud of the accomplishment. I've only been nursing for 7 months and have so much yet to learn. I work at our local hospital in Acute Med Surg. Every shift I learn something new or a better way to do things. My time management is getting better, but still trips me up when we are really busy. One day at a time, right?

Bonnibren

[crissymrn]

may i ask why you are ready for a change ? that seems like a really cool career , were there things you didnt like about it ? or do u feel nursing is your calling ?

[thmpr]

I was a paramedic and perpetual student, and I danced in my underwear

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

You do everything a stripper for humans does, but more, and you have to know how to dance for every species. It doesn't get the respect it deserves.

I know, right? Actually I can't believe one would call one's self a stripper for animals, because a stripper is sooooooo much less than what they do! They are artist, entertainer, sex therapist, animal behaviorist, erotica provider...ICU nurse, anesthesiologist, respiratory therapist.... oh wait, I'm getting my threads mixed up.

[01103130]

I was a biologist but never fully practiced that degree. I practiced medicine for four years, then went into residency training for another 4 years. Travelled overseas, took a job in convenience store as cashier, night filler at Spar, then went back to practice medicine again; I still felt empty. I was already 39 years old when I finished my nursing degree. Ten years later, it's still a burning flame in me. I guess this is the career I've always wanted- being a RN.

[supraargo]

I also am not a nurse yet...however I'm taking prerequisites for nursing school. I currently work as a research assistant been here for almost 2 years) at a university taking care of a mouse colony. I enjoy it but just don't see myself doing it in the long run. Before this I jumped around temp assistant jobs and was in the Peace Corps prior to that. Now after being out of school for nearly 10 years, I want to try something new!