What would you do if you were to quit nursing?

Nurses General Nursing

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Do you know anyone who quit nursing because they don't like nursing? If so, what career did they switch to? Also, what career would you choose if you were to quit nursing?

Specializes in Med/Surg; Psych; Tele.
OFF TOPIC:

OMG! Can't wait to see who goes to Bryant Park next week! I am routing for Chris all the way, but see Christian winning it all.

I actually haven't watched in several weeks :o But yes, Christian is just crazy talented! It would be hard to beat him.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Do you know anyone who quit nursing because they don't like nursing? If so, what career did they switch to? Also, what career would you choose if you were to quit nursing?

Hey linda2097 -- I have been a nurse since 1996. I worked on a variety of units, including L and D, ER, and on and on. About 2 years ago, I started having a LOT of cardiac and BP problems, including bigeminy, trigeminy, little runs of v tach, and a BP of 190/100, on a good day. My cardiologist has not released me yet to go back to work. And if I did go back to work a,most anywhere, I would have to dang near drag a portable o2 tank behind me. (A little joke, but not by much!) I still get short of breath just walking down the driveway to check the mail. I never thought I would feel like this, but then again, I never thought I would be a nurse. That was my dream ever since my grandmother died after a stroke.

I have been at home for about 2 yrs. now, and as I am feeling better, I am realizing how miserable I had become with all the backstabbing and twofacing, and on and on that had been going on. I know that when you put a bunch of people somewhere together that will happen, and that it is not just in nursing. It just seems that it was not as bad when I had gotten out of school. Maybe I was new and fresh and I just didn't know it went on. I have enjoyed being a stay at home mom to my 2 stepsons who live with us full time. It sucks not having the income, we got used to that. My hubbie is a nsg supervisor so we still have a paycheck, we just had to make some minor adjustments. I have been able to plant rose bushes in the yard, and have been able to experiment with recipes, and learn to cook better than I did before, and help with my 10 yr. old's class parties. Anyway, I have had the opportunity to realize that I did not need to go back to work as an RN anyway, even part time. And I have come to realize that there was "life after nursing", so to speak, and that I could enjoy it.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Do you know anyone who quit nursing because they don't like nursing? If so, what career did they switch to? Also, what career would you choose if you were to quit nursing?

Hey linda2097 -- I have been a nurse since 1991. I worked on a variety of units, including L and D, ER, and on and on. About 2 years ago, I started having a LOT of cardiac and BP problems, including bigeminy, trigeminy, little runs of v tach, and a BP of 190/100, on a good day. My cardiologist has not released me yet to go back to work. And if I did go back to work a,most anywhere, I would have to dang near drag a portable o2 tank behind me. (A little joke, but not by much!) I still get short of breath just walking down the driveway to check the mail. I never thought I would feel like this, but then again, I never thought I would be a nurse. That was my dream ever since my grandmother died after a stroke.

I have been at home for about 2 yrs. now, and as I am feeling better, I am realizing how miserable I had become with all the backstabbing and twofacing, and on and on that had been going on. I know that when you put a bunch of people somewhere together that will happen, and that it is not just in nursing. It just seems that it was not as bad when I had gotten out of school. Maybe I was new and fresh and I just didn't know it went on. I have enjoyed being a stay at home mom to my 2 stepsons who live with us full time. It sucks not having the income, we got used to that. My hubbie is a nsg supervisor so we still have a paycheck, we just had to make some minor adjustments. I have been able to plant rose bushes in the yard, and have been able to experiment with recipes, and learn to cook better than I did before, and help with my 10 yr. old's class parties. Anyway, I have had the opportunity to realize that I did not need to go back to work as an RN anyway, even part time. And I have come to realize that there was "life after nursing", so to speak, and that I could enjoy it.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

A neighbor informed me the other day that she makes $22/hr at the walmart distribution center.....started out loading/ unloading trucks and got promoted - no college ed just a hard worker. hmmm.....

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Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.

Most people I know who have persued another career after nursing have gone into Law or Medicine, 1 went to be a psychologist.

I have worked for a while as a CNS for a dialysis company and really enjoyed this because I was teaching on the subject I really enjoy, I met some really nice people who have since become friends and didn't have to put up with the "office politics" that can become an irritant and take the joy out of nursing.

I would like to return to this but as I want to go to the US I need to be currently working in an acute environment, just hope immigration moves a bit quicker!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I would probably go back to school and get my teaching certificate and teach art in school. Or, I'd do what this lovely lady whom I just met yesterday does.. create art full time and teach private art classes to young children part time.

*wistful sigh* I *need* to get back to doing art, sometime. Taking care of two very young children and being the primary family supporter makes that hard. One of these days though, I've decided that I'm going to rent a small space, turn it into a little art studio, and myself and my children are going to spend large portions of our spare time doing art there, together.

Right now I feel like I don't have a creative bone in my body. I don't even know what kind of art I would do...

There was a brief period of time, just a couple of months ago or so in fact, when I considered going back to school to be a pharmacist! Don't ask...

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

if i were to quit nursing, i have so many different things i have always wanted to do...

-get a my bachelors in EMS and teach paramedics

-go back to medical school to become a forensic pathologist

-open my own sports bar/restaurant

-work at sephora (there is just something about being able to play with makeup all day)

-retire completely, move back to FL and spend everyday on the beach with a nice frozen drink and a pink umbrella in it

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Psych; Tele.
I would probably go back to school and get my teaching certificate and teach art in school. Or, I'd do what this lovely lady whom I just met yesterday does.. create art full time and teach private art classes to young children part time.

*wistful sigh* I *need* to get back to doing art, sometime. Taking care of two very young children and being the primary family supporter makes that hard. One of these days though, I've decided that I'm going to rent a small space, turn it into a little art studio, and myself and my children are going to spend large portions of our spare time doing art there, together.

Right now I feel like I don't have a creative bone in my body. I don't even know what kind of art I would do...

There was a brief period of time, just a couple of months ago or so in fact, when I considered going back to school to be a pharmacist! Don't ask...

You need to make time to pursue your art, even if just a little bit. It is a soul-freeing gift that not everyone has. Life is too short to waste your gifts!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Orthopaedics,.

I would find a product that eveyone wants and sell it on Ebay!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
I would probably go to a culinary arts school......

And you would have a job right out of school too, cause I'd hire ya!

Cooking is just not something I'm good at. I can follow a recipe but am not very inventive, and because of that, I think I just don't care to cook.

If I weren't a nurse, I'd probably volunteer to hold sick babies at a hospital. I LOVE babies. And be a SAHM.

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When I finish nursing school I plan to finish my degree in Spanish, finish my med school pre-requsites, and go to medical school.

I can't see my self doing anything long term outside of the medical field.

If I had to I'd be a car mechanic. I'd learn how to do body work, and do custom paint jobs. :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Great thread...I would go into real estate. I love looking at houses. I know, weird, hunh? And in a recession too!

Well...off to nursing I go tomorrow! lol

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