Can a crappy waitress still be a good nurse?

[knewme]

So here's my one fear regarding pursuing nursing, I was a lousy waitress. Well OK, not all the time, just when it got REALLY busy. I'd get all stressed out and anxiety would take over. The whole shaky hands, heart pounding, forgetting things. I still have waitressing nightmares.

Otherwise I have many attributes that would work well in the nursing field. Rock solid stomach-- I can eat a plate of spaghetti with someone vomiting right beside me. Eight hour bladder-- not healthy but proven. High sense of responsibility. Very compassionate and non judgmental. Excellent student 29 on ACTs. Physically strong farm girl. Team player.

I've worked as a CNA in a LTC facility and thrived, actually enjoyed the work, and we were always busy. I've also managed a million dollar cosmetic counter. I like to be on my feet and busy its just when I have 10 or 15 people asking me for something at the same time I freak out a bit. I HATE to make mistakes.

So any feedback is appreciated. Can nursing school/precept train me to handle busy stressful times or is this a weakness I should acknowledge would exclude me from a nursing career? I mean forgetting someone's lipstick or chardonnay is one thing forgetting their meds is a WHOLE different scenario.

FYI The area of nursing I'd eventually like to get into would be hospice and home health which I think would cut down on the multiple demands coming from all directions. But I know I'll need some hospital experience first.

[Halinja, BSN, RN]

One of the best nurses I know was fired from her first job...as a waitress. Hating to make mistakes is probably a good thing. You're less likely to make them in the first place. That being said...everyone makes mistakes. There are job aids that can help you remember meds, there are people who can help you with time management. You're not going to know if it'll work for you until you try.

[Orange Tree]

Green light!

[Turd Ferguson]

Otherwise I have many attributes that would work well in the nursing field. Rock solid stomach-- I can eat a plate of spaghetti with someone vomiting right beside me.

:hhmth:

[FancypantsRN]

Yes it is possible.... I made a lousy waitress. I got stressed out and forgot to put people's food orders in and just generally hated waitressing. I attribute waitressing to my good grades in my nursing pre-req's (what I did to pay for the pre-req's).

That being said, I rarely forget things as a nurse. Sure you may need help remembering every single little detail in the beginning, that's what a preceptor is for. You can also use cheat sheets with checklists when nursing that help to keep you organized. Your attention to detail and hating to make mistakes will help you a great deal (just don't be too hard on yourself especially in the beginning if you miss something). Remember, we all make mistakes - even the greatest nurses. We are all human. Hope this helps!

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

I would probably be a crappy waitress.

[Jules A, MSN]

Good to hear all the positive affirmations. OP you are insightful because as a former waitress there are huge similarities and I've always said a great waitress that wants to be a nurse will be a good one. :)

[j621d]

I don't think you can compare the two. I have an abundance of patience for those that are sick (and grumpy) but no patience for health, grumpy people. If you find satisfaction working as a CNA, you may have found your answer. Being a nurse means you are a professional, wheras a waitress is not viewed as such.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I was a pretty awful waitress and although sometime I do feel like a waitress I think I'm on my way to being a pretty good nurse.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

I work with a new nurse that used to be a waitress. Her downfall is time managment. Why? She nurses like she used to waitress. Instead of starting an assessment, she asks if they want water, juice, etc.. etc... and then goes and gets it herself. The problem? There is a CNA that can do that. HER job is her assessment and to get the accuchecks done because dinner is in 45 min.

Also, you have 8 hrs plus with these people. How long do you have with a customer? Less than an hour or just over to get them their food, etc?

As for the anxiety, I'm pretty sure I can speak for myself that when it gets to be insanely busy, that we all feel that anxiety and pressure to get it done. I know I do. I just have to remind myself that it's usually a brief wave of chaos that will usually pass in a few hours and I can get back on my feet again.