Nursing is kinda like waiting tables

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I am in my first semester of LVN school, and have realized that being a nurse resembles waiting tables. Anyone else experienced this? Not in the way that you don't have to know much more than the menu to work at a restaurant, more so in the prioritizing type of way. From what I've seen at clinicals, looks like the years I've spent pimping steaks are finally going to pay off!

I had the exact same thought when I started nursing school. Yes- the topic is different, but in both situations you have a constantly changing list of things that need to be done and it's your job to prioritize them. And you have some "customers" who require more attention than others. I've had this discussion with some of my classmates and they agree that if you were a good waitress you'll probably be a good nurse. It's all about staying organized, efficient, and focused on customer service.

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I completely agree!!! I have been bartending for years and I am a little nervous about making my transition into the hospital in April. I have found that my customer service skills will only help me through the transition. I know how to talk to people, make them want to talk to me, I assess different situations while working in a fast paced enviroment.

Overall, I am thankful for the oppertunity to work in a resteraunt with such flexible hours. I go in at 6 and I'm done by 10:00. The money has put me through school without any loans, and I have made some great friends.

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If this is true I am in trouble--I stunk at being a waitress!!!

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when i did nights, i worked post op. when i did my 6am rds to do a final check before report i would ask awake pts if they wanted a juice...would take the orders out of the 8 pts i had, got juice and dropped it off. took like 5 extra minutes to gather juice and drop it off but the awake pts seemed to enjoy it. not saying it happened every day, and sometimes only 1-2 wanted it, but the awake ones seemed to enjoy being asked. :smilecoffeecup: definite waitress material there, altho i never was one in real life

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I stunk at being a waitress too. Guess I am in trouble. I can see the similarities, but I am HOPING it's a lot more medically based. At least with Nursing you are helping someone (not just serving breadsticks). As a waitress I ran to death and the customers just kept wanting more and more. I can see those similarities with hospital nursing. I can picture it. Even if I get a pay cut working somewhere else, I have made a choice not to work in a hospital setting. I am grateful for all the hospital nurses, but it is just not cut out for me. I am more of a talker, educator, explainer type so an office seting or an educator type is more my thing. You have to know what works for you and do it. That's the GREAT thing with Nursing.. there are MANY opportunities.

Good luck everyone! E

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Specializes in ER.

If nothing else, I've found that being a waitress has made for really good time management and organizational skills. Just as I'd never bring drinks or meals to a table one at a time, I cluster my meds/tx/assessment with a patient so that I only have to go in once. I've had a few instructors tell me that waitresses (at least good ones) make great nurses. Good Luck!

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I was a waitress for 3 years before I became a nurse -- I see the similarities! I think the waitressing experience really helped me -- it was a terribly busy restaurant and you had to hit the ground running (with a smile on). When I first started waitressing I thought it was very stressful. Now that I'm a nurse I'd love to go back to that "low stress level job" of waitressing sometimes.

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I also sucked at being a waitress. At least with nursing you're not working for tips so if your patients think the "service" is too slow your income won't be affected. I also didn't go through two years of clinical training to be a waitress so I really never knew what I was doing. I still work in customer service (I'm still a nursing student) and have excellent people skills. Just don't ask me to remember the extra lemons you orderd with your tea.

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I've been saying that nursing is like waiting tables since 1st semester! Not only is there a lot of prioritizing but anticipating people's needs.

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Soooooooo funny! :lol2: I have said the same thing so many times, and others just look at me with a blank look. I guess it's becaused i waitressed through high school and college. You both have "a station", you get your number rang when needed, you have a head waitress/nurse, you have to really time manage when you're being bombed, doing more than one thing at a time.

although nursing does have a lot more documenting! :trout:

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