What did you do before you were a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Nurses come from all walks of life. I'm just curious about other jobs people have help before they began their nursing careers. The more obscure the better. :)

Do tell...

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I was a groom/assistant trainer with standardbred racehorses,worked in an equestrian supply store,mommy,chef's assistant in two upscale restaurants, Personal Support Worker(Canadian version of a CNA),housekeeper at a residential school,RPN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Med- Surg.

A cake decorator for 14 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in jack of all trades.

Police Officer....and to be honest wish I would have continued.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

Babysat since I was about 12/13 for some neighborhood kids. My first job at age 14 was with the Boston Youth Clean Up Crew cleaning local parks in the summer. After that, I was a camp counselor for two summers, then worked in retail at a Hallmark store prior to working as a Nurse Tech through nursing school (both at my current LTC facility and at a teaching hospital in Boston). Also part time jobs during college included working at the reception desk in my dorm & tutoring A&P.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

I worked at a sandwich joint for a month when I was 16.

I became a CNA when I was 17.

I graduated LVN school at 19.

Gah, I've spent my entire adult life in nursing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

- My first job was when I was 15. I lived in the Netherlands (dad's a diplomat), and worked at the canadian embassador's residence (22 acres) as a groundskeeper. Best job ever... basically planted some flowers, took 2 hour lunches, followed by 2 hour naps, then had a competition with my boss/co-workers for who could bounce the most tennis balls into the box. Oh yeah, for $13/hour.

- Next was at a golf club as the kid who picked up the balls on the driving range and washed them and the clubs. That didn't last long... 3-4 months... I hated it.

- Then I worked at a cafe as a server... amazing people there, I had a great time. Only last 6 months about because I moved.

- Then my current job as a medical secretary at a doctor's office. Love love love love it. Great people and it's the best job I can get in the medical field with what little experience/knowledge I have right now. I'll be continuing to work there part-time when I start school in August :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU.

I worked a seasonal job at Mervyns when I was 16. I was a cashier. Another cashier job at Sears until I graduated hs. Went to school for my medical assisting certificate. Didn't get hired for awhile. So I worked at a home day care that lasted about 1 week. Finally found work at a pediatric medical office where I'm still currently employed. I also start a second MA position on Monday at a hospital clinic! :D I'm off to nursing school in the fall! Woohoo!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse.

Collections agent for business accounts. And a Skip tracer. Thus the reason that I went into nursing school. I told myself I would never do it again. Although, on bad days...I know where I can fall to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
Collections agent for business accounts. And a Skip tracer. Thus the reason that I went into nursing school. I told myself I would never do it again. Although, on bad days...I know where I can fall to.

What's a Skip Tracer?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Worked in a department store embossing gold leaf initials on leather goods, sold wallets, belts, etc.

Waitress in a pie shop.

Stockgirl-salesgirl-assistant manager for trendy clothing retailer.

Graduated nursing school at 19!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! Lots of great replies. Keep them coming.

Vet techs, wedding singers, and groundskeepers...very interesting.

I remember Meryvns! :lol2:

eriksoln: A skip tracer is the person who locates a customer in default by calling relatives, employers, and searching public records.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.

Nanny for 3 children, state-certified forensics judge (it's high school competitive public speaking-- not anything related to dead bodies like most people think!), waitress/hostess at an upscale Chinese restaurant, store manager of a vintage clothing store, estate sale worker, bartender at a dive-bar, sales associate/assistant manager of a children's clothing store, and now an extern/nurse tech on a trauma floor. And let's not forget perpetual student; previous majors before switching to nursing included business, art history, and studio art.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment