What did you do before you were a nurse?

[CAPPYBARA BREAKFAST]

Nurses come from all walks of life. I'm just curious about other jobs people have help before they began their nursing careers. The more obscure the better. :)

Do tell...

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Corrections officer and supervisor on death row and admin. seg. for state of Texas prison system for a long time, some gang investigations, some mentally ill offender work, some part time county/rural police work. Supervising Director in a large customer service/collections center for a little while after leaving the state job (knew what skip tracers were, for sure). Substitute teacher till I nearly starved. Slacker for nearly 3 years while in school. :)

[emsboss]

While in HS worked in the hay-fields, took my first EMT test literally on my 18th birthday and passed it. Went to Paramedic school, obtained Paramedic certification, joined the Army, spent ten years as a Combat Medic, (coming home every two years to re-cert) got out, worked as a hospital-based 'Medic for about 5. Went into Administration as Director of E.M.S. for a small hospital for another 5 years. I got into an argument over patient care with an E.D. Nurse who told me "you are JUST a Paramedic, that is all you will ever be, you are not smart enough to be a R.N.":eek:, well... Emsboss, R.N. at your service...

[GoECU]

Oh let's see ...babysitter, cheerleader coach, sales associate for American Eagle and Belk, lifeguard, personal trainer, graduate assistant, physical education teacher, membership sales Gold's Gym, Physical therapy tech, and Physical therapist assistant...I think that's it! :lol2:Now I'm a RN!

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

after I graduated with my Bachelors (Biology) I worked in a a genetics research lab for 3.5 years. While in school, I was a waitress.

I quit my lab job to go to nursing school. It was an accelerated program and they recommended that we not work, and thankfully I have a husband who has been able to support the both of us during that time.

I passed NCLEX last week and now the job hunt ensues........

[KatieNoelLPN]

I worked as a pharmacy tech during nursing school. Right after that I was an AFL cheerleader until I realized I had to get a job that paid a hell of a lot more!

[RNCEN]

Out of college (degree in Criminal Justice, but no energy to go back to Law School) I was offered a management job in the restaurant where I worked as a bartender and server/shift supervisor....3 months after accepting I was promoted to GM. Decided that stunk after 2-3 years and started working on cars. I have been a Master Jaguar technician for 10 years. The automotive industry is a dead end career. Wish I had known that before! Live and learn.

I start nursing school in August.

[livinthedreamRN]

I went to college right out of high school, majored in nursing, dropped out after 2 years of partying more than studying. I went to cosmotology school and did hair for 20 years. Then I decided, shortly after 911, that if I were in New York at the time, I wouldn't be much help to anyone. When I saw the nurses and docs on TV standing outside the ERs waiting for the injured I got inspired. I told my husband that I was going back to school. I started nursing school in January of 2002 graduated in 2004 and haven't looked back!!!

[jmtndl]

I was a child.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Before I was a nurse, I was a nursing student, and before that I was a high school student. :)

But I have done odd jobs as secretary and waitress. I could do the secretary thing again easily (although I'd be bored) but waitress...oh helllll no!

[Debilpn23]

worked as a cna for over 30 years, then 4years as an administrator in a rest home for eldery ladies

[sksrrtrn]

Respiratory Therapist for 19 years!

[d'cm]

NYC cab driver, among other things.