Working as a stripper AND a nurse

ErraticThinker · Feb 2, 2009

I'm a guy and I was a dancer/ go go boy/ whatever you want to call it in college and a shot boy too at some local gay bars. It was awesome money, i had a blast and met some really great people in the process.. some places are pretty sketchy, but I think if you were able to get through nursing school and work as an RN, then you probably have the common sense to be able to steer clear of potential trouble in that kind of environment. I've seen people get swept in, and a few had tried to get me into it the drugs and the umm "questionable" activities. I was there to dance, have some fun, make some money and then go home.

I think it takes a special kind of person to be able to do it and stay reasonably well adjusted. I ignored most of the people watching me, and focused on the feeling brought on by the dancing, the music and a good rush from the exercise. To the OP, I'd say if you have fun doing it, keep doing it regardless of how people can judge. They probably don't understand the weird rush from being a performer. Cover your bases, and check your nurse practice act because yeah some do have morality clauses, but technically you're not doing anything illegal. I never really bought into that puritanical florence nightingale thought process that somehow being a nurse means you have to live like a nun.... or a priest in my case.

Fiona59 · Feb 2, 2009

ErraticThinker:

And judging by some the priests who have been in the media lately, you've probably led a more moral live than many.

VegasSummers · Feb 2, 2009

This may actually violate a professional code of conduct so check with your BON. I also remember when I was talking to the Nevada Board of Nursing they actually told me that they recommend my friends and I give up out partying/ clubbing/ dancing on tables ways after being an RN but I never actually looked into why this was necessary.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 2, 2009

The bottom line is that you are not asking to do something illegal, and you are certainly free to make your own choices, but... since you asked...I would advise against getting into the world of adult entertainment. I am not saying that you are not intelligent enough to make the right decisions, but stripping puts you in a situation where you are getting into that lifestyle opens you up for all of the demons that come with the territory (diseases, drugs, etc). If you have the strength and will power to avoid all the other activity that can come with the territory, then bully for you... but i know that it can be hard for some.

The role of a nurse is to advocate for the good health and well being of their patients. And it is hypocritical to get wrapped up in a lifestyle that you will (hopefully) one day tell your patients to avoid. Also - a lot of states and employers do thorough background searches -i am not talking criminal history per se - i am talking about persuing a myspace type account and seeing a picture of you in action at your other job. It seems the job market is getting harder and harder to survive in, and something like this can become a true barricade towards a decent job.

kellykelly · Feb 2, 2009

I'm not one to judge, and if you're still young and attractive enough to make money this way I guess that's a personal call.

However, my feeling is that you're a professional now, with a career, and it's probably time to hang up the acrylic heels.

learning08 · Feb 2, 2009

Are you messing with us?? :yeah:RNs in SoCal make bank compared to most of the rest of the country. Moral issues aside, I have a hard time believing you'd make more as a stripper. Just pick up an extra shift here and there.

rn/writer, RN · Feb 2, 2009

The bottom line is that you are not asking to do something illegal, and you are certainly free to make your own choices, but... since you asked...I would advise against getting into the world of adult entertainment. I am not saying that you are not intelligent enough to make the right decisions, but stripping puts you in a situation where you are getting into that lifestyle opens you up for all of the demons that come with the territory (diseases, drugs, etc). If you have the strength and will power to avoid all the other activity that can come with the territory, then bully for you... but i know that it can be hard for some.
The role of a nurse is to advocate for the good health and well being of their patients. And it is hypocritical to get wrapped up in a lifestyle that you will (hopefully) one day tell your patients to avoid. Also - a lot of states and employers do thorough background searches -i am not talking criminal history per se - i am talking about persuing a myspace type account and seeing a picture of you in action at your other job. It seems the job market is getting harder and harder to survive in, and something like this can become a true barricade towards a decent job.

More and more employers are doing this "unofficial" kind of background check these days. And more and more people are snapping pictures with their cell phones. Once your image is out there, it's out there, with or without your permission. No going back and unringing the bell.

One job site posted a story about a young man who was on the verge of being offered a high-paying professional job. At the last minute, someone in HR decided to check a few online personality sites and found a page that played up his party-hearty lifestyle and showed pictures of him that would have made his mother blush. He did not get the job.

You might not post anything unsavory, but that doesn't mean others won't.

And you might not be in the job market at the moment, but naughty pictures don't expire.

Because this kind of checking is done under the radar, you may never know why you were turned down for a job that seemed like a perfect fit. Your activity doesn't have to be illegal to disqualify you as a serious candidate in many eyes.

No condemnation. Just food for thought.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

Well, it's not illegal so I don't think the BON would get involved. I would worry more about coworkers finding out. Imagine the creepiest person from work dropping by your second job on a weekly basis, uggg.

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

you're joking right. tell me you are joking ! :yawn:

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2009

As NRSKAREN posted, the AzBON would only get involved for, "A nurse can have his/her license revoked or suspended if he/she commits a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude."

Since stripping is not a crime, there would be no misdemeanor.

On my second point, any patient or coworker who frequents strip clubs may recognize her. People love to talk and thus word would get around. I don't know but I would think it might be unnerving to strip with coworkers in the audience.

Equinox_93 · Feb 2, 2009

Hello everyone. I was wondering, is it detrimental to my job as an RN if I am also stripping on the side for additional money? Can I be fired for this? I know there are morality issues (for some) and such with this, but is it legally wrong? I live in southern California by the way. The salary as I make as a stripper is far greater than any nursing job out there. The reason I'm also working as a nurse is for the benefits, retirement, and job security when I'm older and can no longer strip.

Since you asked if it would be detrimental to your RN job I will address that first... Unfortunately if you are in an at-will employment state- ANYTHING can be detrimental to your job as an RN if your boss/facility finds objection with it. Anything from stripping to what color your hair is to whether or not you attend any or even a specific denomination of church. My advice? Keep it very closely guarded and under wraps in your professional environment.

To the other posters primarily- (since you didn't ask for moral advice or anything else here, which I think alot of posters missed...) Despite the myth that strip clubs are "bad environments" this isn't always the case- and if one can pick up extra cash- in this economy especially- I say do it. The club my friends and I go to for one of our friends birthdays every year is a very nice, upscale club and we're friends with some of the dancers there- they love their job and it's a fun environment. The club is secured and makes sure the girls are escorted safely out at night. But- some people will consider anything even remotely like that "sleazy" and "bad" so... Personally I think if one has the confidence and feels comfortable doing it- and enjoys it- more power to them.

Equinox_93 · Feb 2, 2009

Well, it's not illegal so I don't think the BON would get involved. I would worry more about coworkers finding out. Imagine the creepiest person from work dropping by your second job on a weekly basis, uggg.

Or worse- having a new 'frequent flier' stalker at the hospital... Their obsession would become your co-workers (and bosses) problem and it would almost certainly become public knowledge at that point where one picked up said stalker :uhoh3: