Applying for a retail job

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2020

I knew a couple of nurses who got side jobs in retail- they were looking forward to the employee discount. Don't withhold your employment history on the application- it could come back and bite you. (I assume you're looking for part-time...)

"nursy", RN · Oct 22, 2020

If your retail work hours coincide with your school nurse hours, you will have a conflict of interest, and could easily lose your nursing job. If they don't, why would the retail place care about your nursing job?

nursex23, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2020

Thanks for the responses! I just don't want them to pass my application up by being considered over qualified or for them to think that I work with COVID patients and pass me up over that.

allnurses Guide · Oct 22, 2020

Usually retail is looking for personable people who are well presented/dress well and who know how to deal with the public. For seasonal they will largely be wanting people willing to work evenings and weekends.

I see no issue with putting your nursing roles on there. Just emphasize how they have made you good at dealing with different personalities, engaging with those who are disgruntled and that the art of persuasion comes into play even in healthcare.

caliotter3 · Oct 22, 2020

You have to be careful with what you give as your availability. People I know who have gone this route have been stymied because the retail employers don't care to give one a four hour block that does not coincide with a four hour block that you are not available. That is why so many can't make two retail jobs mesh. Or for that matter, a retail job along with a 'regular' job.

Sour Lemon · Oct 22, 2020

3 hours ago, nursex23 said:

I'm a school nurse for a district that is remote and will stay remote until at least mid-January. It's been very slow and I was thinking of applying for a seasonal job in retail. My question is how should I go about applying? Should I tell them that I'm a nurse on my application? I don't want them to toss me aside based on that but of course I don't want to lie either. Has anyone ever applied to a retail job being a nurse?

For seasonal positions, I don't think they would care. You may not stick around for the long haul, but they don't want you for the long haul anyway.

I do wonder how much need there will be this season. I know I'll be spending a lot less than normal, because I'll be doing a lot less than normal. A lot of people probably don't have much to spend, either.

The stores around me are still required to limit their capacity in what seems like an extreme way. I usually decide that standing in line to get inside is not worth the aggravation.