A Nurse and A Go-Go Dancer

Nurses Professionalism

Published

Hello,

I am a nursing student (LVN/LPN). Before stepping into the nursing world I've always thought of becoming a go-go dancer. Why do I want to go-go dance besides nursing: it's because I love dancing and performing on a stage. I am almost done with my school and I was just wondering if a nurse can also be a go-go dancer at the same time without hurting his/her license.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I want to suggest that you read "Candy Girl" by Diablo Cody to understand the dark underside of that world.

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I'd like to know her age

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I'm 22 years old

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But go-go dancing is not a stripper type. Its more of encouraging people to dance

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You could risk your potential nursing license if you live in a state with a "moral turpitude" clause in the nurse practice act, like PA. Even if the "dark side" is not your intention but "encouraging others to dance" (admittedly, I've never heard that as a description of go go dancer)

It's the public perception and assumption that you need to concern yourself with in regards to a nursing career.

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There are many, many outlets for your creative dancing side than to be a go-go dancer.

The go-go dancers I have seen are in clubs, either dancing on the bar, in cages around the bar---which I think grown women (and men) should be able to do whatever they would like to on their own time--let your freak flag fly--HOWEVER...

It is really, really easy for a nurse to go into a room to care for a patient and have said patient go "heyyyyy I KNOW you....." or your facility to find a nifty pic of you half dressed in a cage in a club....and make it into a reason to let you go. Even moreso in small towns. Even moreso than that when go-go dancing becomes the next "big bad morality issue" in the town, and geez, now your name and your pic is in local paper with the big ole scarlett letter attached to it--or some "naughty nurse" reference.

Here's the thing. There are so many nurses who need jobs that all of us are very easily replaceable. Any single reason to do that, and seemingly managers are ALL over it.

I get that the love for dance, the love for the atmosphere of a club, the incredible music....all very intoxicating and yes, one can get PAID to do it!! WOO HOO to that. But the professional relationship you need to have with your facility and your patients can be a huge contraindication. And maybe not worth it.

Best idea ever--get a certification as a fitness instructor, and teach classes on "club dancing" as an exercise program at your local gym......

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
You could risk your potential nursing license if you live in a state with a "moral turpitude" clause in the nurse practice act, like PA. Even if the "dark side" is not your intention but "encouraging others to dance" (admittedly, I've never heard that as a description of go go dancer)

It's the public perception and assumption that you need to concern yourself with in regards to a nursing career.

I hear this "moral turpitude" clause thrown around but I wonder how often the BON disciplines a nurse for it. It is very vauge.

While staying vauge, I do engage in activities in my private life that could potentially be considered in violation of the morality clause. These activities I engage in are not illegal, and I take measures to protect myself, such as never using my last name.

I imagine being gay was against the morality clause a few decades ago, so with some things the BON is still catching up.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

No moral high ground here... just a cautionary (and somewhat humorous anecdote about blurred boundaries) Back in the Stone Age, when I was a new-ish nurse on a neuro-trauma unit, one of my night shift colleagues (excellent nurse) made no secret of the fact that she had a very lively 'other life' aside from her nursing job. She had worked her way through nursing school as a stripper - much more lucrative than a typical retail job, I'm sure. She was also a Bandido's 'old lady' (Google if you have any questions).. any way ...

One night before her shift, she came bopping in to the department straight from a previous social activity... still dressed in her leathers with stiletto boots, carrying her scrubs. On the way to the locker room to change, she encountered an ambulatory patient & his significant other. She greeted the patient "Hello Mr __, I hope I'll be taking care of you again tonight"... as she walked off, the SO said - "over my dead body - I'm calling Dr ___ and getting you sent home right now!"

Sure enough, a complaint was made to the big wigs & colleague subsequently lost her job for 'unprofessional' behavior. She was a great nurse so I'm sure it was only a minor blip on her career. But, in today's world, where social media is everywhere & everyone's 'bidness' is spread out all over the Interwebs in a millisecond.... it would have much more serious consequences.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I didn't know there was still such a thing as a go-go dancer. I thought that was kind of a late '60s/early '70s thing.

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I didn't know there was still such a thing as a go-go dancer. I thought that was kind of a late '60s/early '70s thing.

In my area, they are often part of a dj's group. It can be set up various ways, however, it is dancing on bars, tables, in cages...it is to encourage patrons to dance--which is a huge draw for the dj hence good for business.

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Wow, she shouldn't have came to work like that, smh.

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