Working as a stripper AND a nurse

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

one of the dancers i worked with was working on his PhD in physics. He told about his research grants, and how dancing gave him extra side money and a good work out. It's pretty easy to write someone off just because of the job they pick, but actually working in that environment definitely taught me that people tend to have pretty amazing stories to tell when you listen whether its another stripper or even the patrons.

I support people's right to work as a stripper if they want to.

However....I used to have a friend when I was younger that worked as one. She had wrecked her car and I volunteered to drop her off at work and pick her up for a period of time until she got her car back.

So, I would show up to get her, I would go in the club, and wait on her. Usually the girls would come over and say hello and we would engage in conversation.

I'm not saying that this is the case for all strippers....but of every single one that I talked to at this club, ALL of them, had been either:

1. Sexually molested as a child.

2. Raped at some point (if they were older)

3. Grew up in a physically abusive household

4. Were victims of severe neglect

Dr. Phil once put it this way, and I'll never forget what he said: "Stripping, prostitution...all of those are jobs that exploit women. Yes, you are hurting someone (he was speaking to a man that was addicted to strip clubs, Media, etc) when you watch videos or going to these clubs...you are watching SOMEONE'S DAUGHTER, where something went seriously, seriously wrong in her life who is at the lowest point in her life, where she does not have enough self-confidence to think she can make money doing something else nor the ambition....it doesn't matter if she is getting paid $10 a day or $10,000 a day...something went seriously wrong in her life for a woman to make that kind of decision."

He probably made the best description of the industry, that I have ever heard.

ErraticThinker · Feb 3, 2009

I support people's right to work as a stripper if they want to.
However....I used to have a friend when I was younger that worked as one. She had wrecked her car and I volunteered to drop her off at work and pick her up for a period of time until she got her car back.
So, I would show up to get her, I would go in the club, and wait on her. Usually the girls would come over and say hello and we would engage in conversation.
I'm not saying that this is the case for all strippers....but of every single one that I talked to at this club, ALL of them, had been either:
1. Sexually molested as a child.
2. Raped at some point (if they were older)
3. Grew up in a physically abusive household
4. Were victims of severe neglect
Dr. Phil once put it this way, and I'll never forget what he said: "Stripping, prostitution...all of those are jobs that exploit women. Yes, you are hurting someone (he was speaking to a man that was addicted to strip clubs, Media, etc) when you watch videos or going to these clubs...you are watching SOMEONE'S DAUGHTER, where something went seriously, seriously wrong in her life who is at the lowest point in her life, where she does not have enough self-confidence to think she can make money doing something else nor the ambition....it doesn't matter if she is getting paid $10 a day or $10,000 a day...something went seriously wrong in her life for a woman to make that kind of decision."
He probably made the best description of the industry, that I have ever heard.

I'm not going to argue with you there. the lifestyle itself is pretty sketchy, and depending on where you work it can be dangerous. My point was that its possible to work and stay out of the darker aspects of that lifestyle. The problem here becomes societal views and how that shapes each persons perspective on it. You had a little exposure to it and those girls situations were all pretty sad. i've run into it as well, but my point was that it isn't all that way.I knew girls who stripped because they felt empowered and did not feel exploited in any way. and yes, these were pretty well adjusted girls with day jobs. Every job has a wide mix of people doing it for different reasons. and moral often becomes a cover for people attempting to impose religious beliefs. :) The whole take home of what i was trying to say that it's definitely an experience but the OP needs to be careful too. It's difficult not to judge people sometimes on their actions, and i can understand that. what eventually happens is people claim to pity rather judge which is just a more passive way of placing a value judgement.

and i'm sorry but I wouldn't quote Dr Phil as an authority on any subject. He may have a PhD in clinical psychology, but he's not licensed to practice anywhere so when he says to seek professional help, I hope he means not from him. but thats a whole other topic.

zamboni · Feb 3, 2009

I'm curious of something....should folks check with their BON before patronizing a strip club as a customer?

Years ago, my sister worked as a waitress in a strip club. She was fully clothed, but it was a cute little uniform (she couldn't dance, as she and I are both missing the gene that allows us to move gracefully while wearing stilettos!). When she would get stuck working day shift, I would often bring her and her coworkers lunch, while I was waiting for the Kiddo to get out of school. This was apparently an upper end club, but the women that worked there were wonderful. I remember an LVN, one who was working her way through law school, and another who worked for a software company (in fact, I was there the day she got the call that one of her programs had been bought for 4 million dollars! She continued to dance a couple of times a week, just for the workout and because she got to wear great shoes that she couldn't wear anywhere else...yeah, it all comes down to shoes! LOL!) Of course, there were some dancers who had messed up lives, but there were just as many who were perfectly happy and led good lives...the same as the hospital where I now work.

if you're comfortable working as a dancer, and can avoid the drama that tends to happen (in the hospital AND the club!), then more props to you! Sure, someone may recognize you...but if you've been dancing for any time at all, that's probably already happened in other settings, and you know how to deal with it. Just be professional in both settings, and you'll smile all the way to the bank.

(as a side note...during the 90's, when I was working as a paramedic, designer drugs were all the rage complete with funky street names. I had picked up a kid that was jacked up on something and nobody, including the ER doc, recognized the street name that his friends gave. The kid was crumping, and as a last ditch effort, I called the club to see if they knew anything about what this was. Within minutes, we were able to get enough info to ID the actual substance and start treating and reversing. I got some funny props for my informal "poison control"! But they helped save that dumb kid's life. :smokin: )

Equinox_93 · Feb 3, 2009

Wow- you must have done this for quite a long time and got to know these women VERY well... I find it hard to believe that random women would just tell you the intimate details of their life history just because you were dropping off one of their coworkers...

IMO I think Dr. Phil is full of it. While that may once have been the case- or while it may be the case for *some* women- there are others who are very strong, sensual women who ENJOY their job and find it empowering. If anything, I'd say it could be argued in many cases that it's the strippers exploiting the *men* (and their wallets) ... Unless we're talking about women being forced to work at such a place doing something they don't want to be doing- which is IMO an entirely different subject.

I support people's right to work as a stripper if they want to.
However....I used to have a friend when I was younger that worked as one. She had wrecked her car and I volunteered to drop her off at work and pick her up for a period of time until she got her car back.
So, I would show up to get her, I would go in the club, and wait on her. Usually the girls would come over and say hello and we would engage in conversation.
I'm not saying that this is the case for all strippers....but of every single one that I talked to at this club, ALL of them, had been either:
1. Sexually molested as a child.
2. Raped at some point (if they were older)
3. Grew up in a physically abusive household
4. Were victims of severe neglect
Dr. Phil once put it this way, and I'll never forget what he said: "Stripping, prostitution...all of those are jobs that exploit women. Yes, you are hurting someone (he was speaking to a man that was addicted to strip clubs, Media, etc) when you watch videos or going to these clubs...you are watching SOMEONE'S DAUGHTER, where something went seriously, seriously wrong in her life who is at the lowest point in her life, where she does not have enough self-confidence to think she can make money doing something else nor the ambition....it doesn't matter if she is getting paid $10 a day or $10,000 a day...something went seriously wrong in her life for a woman to make that kind of decision."
He probably made the best description of the industry, that I have ever heard.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

I remember watching a 20/20/Dateline/Primetime type show a while back that profiled an RN in Phoenix who was fired from her job for having a home internet Media business she "starred" in. The topic of the show was your rights outside of your workplace, or something like that.

Anyway, the hospital fired her when someone anonymously reported her online Media appearances. The hospital cited a morality clause in her employment contract. She fought it and lost. Apparently the news got out because she said she applied to every hospital in the Phoenix area, and nobody would hire her.

Anyone else remember this particular show and any other relevant details?

pageygirl · Feb 3, 2009

More power to you I say. I have known a nurse who worked in ER and danced on the weekends on the side for a couple of years. Just don't let the negativity get to you. Many of the men are creeps, leave it all behind you when you leave. Most places have a stage name just dont advertise it to the people you work with, chances are you wont see anyone you know... Just dont let the creeps interfere with your self esteem

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

It depends on the State Board, and probably the reputation of the establishment that you dance in.

I doubt if a medical facility could fire you (as a nurse) for breaking their rules, virtually every state license that I have held (8), has required me to attest to holding "good moral character", yet none of them clearly define what constitutes "good moral character", or upon whose judgement this is based.

And a great deal probably depends on the stripping environment. If you dance in a place with strict rules that are closely obeyed, with few/no police raids, you are probably relatively safe in your job.

If, however, you are working in the all nude, unmonitored VIP rooms - type clubs that are notorious for regular police takedowns, drug/prostitution busts....even if you don't get in any trouble yourself, you may find yourself repeatedly "written up or made miserable so that you leave, or find it difficult to find a legitimate nursing job. people do not have to "fire" you, but they can make it very hard for you to work, if they have any issues with you. And, no, it is not fair, but life is not fair.

We are judged by the company we keep, whether we like it or not. Just as if you are housemates with someone, even if you are toeing the line...if your housemate gets busted for pot, or drugs, you may find yourself being hauled in, even if your character is saintly.

A resume with Larry Flynt's Hustler Club listed or Fully Nude Beaver Palace is probably going to be more problematic than Solid Gold Club, or Platinum Plaza. And as most employers do background checks, such things will come up. So someone will know.

The other thing is, well how will you handle things if you are recognized at either place?

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

Wow- you must have done this for quite a long time and got to know these women VERY well... I find it hard to believe that random women would just tell you the intimate details of their life history just because you were dropping off one of their coworkers...
IMO I think Dr. Phil is full of it. While that may once have been the case- or while it may be the case for *some* women- there are others who are very strong, sensual women who ENJOY their job and find it empowering. If anything, I'd say it could be argued in many cases that it's the strippers exploiting the *men* (and their wallets) ... Unless we're talking about women being forced to work at such a place doing something they don't want to be doing- which is IMO an entirely different subject.

Another thing I learned about strippers...they get up naked in front of a crowd of strangers...so that is why they think nothing of telling you personal aspects of their lives.

Most mentioned it the first or second time I talked to them.

I took my friend back and forth from work for about 3 weeks...that's all it took.

I also hate Howard Stern with a passion...but if you ever watch when he has a Media star on his show to interview...one of the last things he asks them is, "have you ever been raped or molested when you were younger?"

They always reply, "yes"...and he says, "There you go America...this is where these girls end up."

If you asked any of these women, "If I gave you an office job of the same salary, would you take it."...you would find very few who wouldn't.

It is not empowerment...it is FALSE empowerment. You have to do a little self-convicing to get yourself to go that far with it.

GilaRRT · Feb 3, 2009

Empowering? Not sure I agree, and I am a guy. I am not sure I would find drunk people throwing dollar bills at me while I strip empowering. IMHO as always.

Equinox_93 · Feb 3, 2009

... Most people recognize the huge difference between stripping and *Media*....

I remember watching a 20/20/Dateline/Primetime type show a while back that profiled an RN in Phoenix who was fired from her job for having a home internet Media business she "starred" in. The topic of the show was your rights outside of your workplace, or something like that.
Anyway, the hospital fired her when someone anonymously reported her online Media appearances. The hospital cited a morality clause in her employment contract. She fought it and lost. Apparently the news got out because she said she applied to every hospital in the Phoenix area, and nobody would hire her.
Anyone else remember this particular show and any other relevant details?

Equinox_93 · Feb 3, 2009

Empowering? Not sure I agree, and I am a guy. I am not sure I would find drunk people throwing dollar bills at me while I strip empowering. IMHO as always.

Sure it is- it shows a level of body and self confidence that most women don't possess and that some women find VERY empowering. Being able to get up and dance in little to nothing? That takes guts, grace and a superhuman sense of confidence.

Equinox_93 · Feb 3, 2009

Interesting- in my experience I have found it the opposite- that BECAUSE they get naked in front in front of a crowd of strangers- most are far LESS willing to divulge personal information...

Empowerment is empowerment and it is not for you or anyone else to judge what someone else considers empowering. Empowerment is a very subjective thing that only the person who experiences it can judge.

Do some women go into it because "something went wrong" and they were molested, raped, etc.? Sure. But to claim that across the board as a given? I call bull----.

Another thing I learned about strippers...they get up naked in front of a crowd of strangers...so that is why they think nothing of telling you personal aspects of their lives.
Most mentioned it the first or second time I talked to them.
I took my friend back and forth from work for about 3 weeks...that's all it took.
I also hate Howard Stern with a passion...but if you ever watch when he has a Media star on his show to interview...one of the last things he asks them is, "have you ever been raped or molested when you were younger?"
They always reply, "yes"...and he says, "There you go America...this is where these girls end up."
If you asked any of these women, "If I gave you an office job of the same salary, would you take it."...you would find very few who wouldn't.
It is not empowerment...it is FALSE empowerment. You have to do a little self-convicing to get yourself to go that far with it.