I went back to school at 33 to become a nurse after the economy went bad and I had to close my used car lot. before that I was a machinist. and before that I was a drafter.

I did alot of everything in my life. I spent almost 14 years in the U.S. Army, I drove City Bus in Reno, Nv, I drove bus and was an EMT and Firefighter in Elko, Nevada at a Gold Mine, I worked in a Bank as a teller, as a telephone operator in a Casino, and as a waitress in a bar during my life. I went back to school in my late 30's to become an RN.

I have a BA in nursing and been at it for about three years on cardio and ER. It is my first "professional" career.

After working as a waitress in high school I realized there had to be more out there, started right out of high school graduated in 1987 haven't looked back, have changed jobs a few times as hubby is military and we move often, but nursing is one of the most flexible jobs out there!

i was a mom for 7 years, went to school at age 30, graduated in 1988 and been a nurse ever since. Hoping to retire in 6 more years. (fingers crossed):laugh:

I went to nursing school at the age of 41 due to the economy. Prior to that I was a massage therapist (still do that as well) and a CNA for 18 years.

I went into the Army in 1991 when I realized that I couldn't afford to go to college and become the chemist I wanted to be. So I did my time as a medic working in Newborn Nursery and NICU. I was a glorified nurses aide. While working in the NICU, I discovered that it was my calling to become a nurse. Once I did my four years, I let the GI Bill and Army college fund pay for nursing school (Associate's degree). While in nursing school, I worked at Sears and as a Security Guard. Once I got my LVN (first year of program), I worked nights in a Well Baby nursery while I finished my degree and License for RN. The rest is as they say, nursing history.

Got a BA in forensic anthropology, struggled to find a job for a year and went back to study nursing. Been employed as an RN in a paediatric hospital for three months (best decision ever!)

As an adult I worked in customer service, drove a forklift, and even sold perfume on the street for this so not legit company (dont ask lol). The job I had from 15-19 as a patient transporter in an acute care hospital was the job that I loved the most, and it paid me the least. Ever since then I knew that I wanted to get back to work in the hospital and life has come full circle: 3 kids and a husband later I will be a graduate nurse this fall!

I became a nurse back in the 70's when it was nursing caps and white uniforms (yeah, I'm older...). I worked for several years in oncology, home health and hospital nursing. I now work home health again and really enjoy my job. This past spring I went back to college, online, to finish my BSN since my new job pays more according to educational status. :glasses:

I recently graduated from a practical nursing program and currently am preparing for the NCLEX. I managed a land survey company for 19 years, which closed when the housing market went bust, and decided to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a nurse at 43.

I was so inspired with the birth of my 1st baby in 1996. I had the absolute best nurses taking care of us and knew then that this was what I wanted to do. As a single mom, I couldn't afford to do both at the time (school/work) so I continued doing what paid me well. I was in banking and finance for 10 years or so, underwriting commercial and residential loans. Loved my job, but it was only a job. When the housing market buckled, I lost my job. I was remarried and had the financial and emotional support to go back to school. My husband said, "What are you waiting for?" I had no answer, so finally after 16 years of wanting to be a nurse, I signed up for school. So, at 35 and after 6 kids, I will graduate with my RN in December!!!!