hello

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 27, 2007

No, I worked as a nursing assistant, medical assistant and such, but, you know, at this moment, think about it...you are in your first semester and you are meeting people who have experience. But it is in entry level jobs, such as CNA, phlebotomist, etc... There will always be the people who brag about how much they know (that will not change, unfortunately), however, once you begin moving on into med-surg, psych, and so on; there will be areas that they are lacking in as well.

You have acquired communication skills as a waitress, have been tipped well on some days and spoken to like a dog on others...do not discount those experiences! You have been on your feet all day, been dog tired at the end of a shift...that is what nurses do, also. You'll be fine...walk your own journey and don't worry too much about theirs.

bethin · Jun 27, 2007

Welcome to allnurses!

Don't second guess yourself. You've been a waitress and obviously have people skills. Lots of people have no prior experience in healthcare before going to nursing school. You may think they know everything already, but odds are they don't.

Good luck in school!

sassiebaz · Jun 27, 2007

Well, you gotta start somewhere right?? Dont let it bother you. Like the other's posted, you obviously have people skills and that is very important in the nursing field! Good luck to you.....

deemarie · Jun 27, 2007

thanks for the advice!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I was a crew member at McDonalds during high school, a cook and cashier at a hot dog stand (still in high school), a supermarket clerk at 2 different grocery stores, a cashier at the 99 cent store, a cashier at Target, a caregiver for mentally retarded adults, and a factory worker for three years. So, yes, I have served my time in the trenches of the service industry!

JoAnnS · Jun 28, 2007

hi there everyone! i am new to this site and am currently in my first semester of lpn school i kinda feel a little awkward though because most people in my class already have experience with working in the healthcare setting. just like my screen name says i am a waitress going to be an lpn. just wondering if like me, any one worked in the service industry before becoming a nurse

Hello:

I was a waitress for 18 years. The I went into the Banking Industry. If you have been following the news on the mortgage industry, you can see why I am changing my profession.

I do not have any experience in the health field. I have taken care of my brothers & sisters at a very small age. I did take care of my Grandmother, who had a Trac in her throat. Was a little scary at first, but once I learned to do it well, I was ok with it.

So I start school in Sept. I had always wanted to be a Navy Nurse, or an ER Nurse. I love the fast pace. Just like being a waitress, you have mastered the "people skills". I think you will do just fine.

Read a lot of these posts. There is some real good advise on study skills and note skills. I have been reading them now for a couple of days and feel a little better about the hard work ahead of me.

I do plan to go for the RN course right away. I am in a special program from my county and waiting to hear how much money they will allot me for school.

Being a Nurse requires long hours on your feet. You can do that. There will be days when your patients just adore you and then other days were you are the mean Nurse. Don't put yourself down by any means.

I wouldn't worry about the others experience. Just do your very best and pass your courses. Get your license. Everyday you will learn new things. Be the Nurse you want to be and you will be rewarded in the end.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you'd like to share your day regarding school or anything

Good luck to you!!!

JoAnn :balloons: