In the spring of 2013, RNAO emailed members to solicit stories of RNs who chose nursing as a second career, and to delve into their reasons for making the switch to this new and exciting profession. In addition to the RNs featured in the July/Aug 2013 issue of Registered Nurse Journal (pages 12-17), we thought we’d bring you the experiences of a few more who took the time to share their stories. Thank you to everyone who replied to our call. We could not do these features without you.
Top 3 reasons I switched from…
Tutoring to nursing
Maria Clovis
Port Colborne, Ontario
- The philosophies of this discipline are congruent with my personal moral and religious values.
- The role of the RN in developing client trust and professional client relationships while advocating on their behalf.
- The ability to make a decent income to take care of my family.
Accounting supervisor to nursing
Wendy Crisp
Toronto, Ontario
- The ability to help people.
- Every day is different.
- Nursing certification can be acquired within a set timeframe and results in a recognized profession with a definitive, transferable skill set.
Paramedic to nursing
Ann Blanchette
Toronto, Ontario
- I believe in a humanistic world view, and nursing is the profession most aligned with my view.
- Nurses work with people of all ages and in many different settings and communities. That versatility has always appealed to me.
- The opportunity for life-long learning. I have always enjoyed gaining new knowledge and becoming better at caring for my patients.