Hospitality to Hospital

DarrenFWReilly

My first career was in hospitality (ever notice it has "hospital" right in the name?). I waited tables, bartended, managed, fine dining, casual, in New York, in Las Vegas; you name it, I did it. Each new position, each new venue was going to be better than the one before; was going to be an end to the grind of food service. Spoiler alert: there is no end to the grind! Even in the best situation, I felt I was meant for so much more than slinging drinks and running food. Don't even get me started on the guests. I imagine you feel something similar (every waiter I know feels this way). Let me give you that little push towards nursing school.

The Table Greet

Do you know how hard it is, how utterly intimidating it is for "normal" people to walk up to strangers and start talking? Not for you, it's a big part of your current job. Guess what? You have to walk up to each new patient, establish rapport and trust instantly, and then take care of them. Sounds a lot like a table greet. It's no more intimidating than a table full of lawyers who won't listen as you explain the night's specials. You have a leg up on all your fellow nursing school peers in one of the biggest hurdles.

The Four Table Section

Most waiters have anywhere from four to six tables in their station. You oversee keeping their dining experience on pace and turn that table so you can maximize tips. Now picture that same scenario, except instead of tables, it's patient rooms. I say rooms because it is not only a closer analogy but also the truth. You are responsible for everything that goes on in that room, not just the patient. And just like happy hour, it can get crazy. You're going to get in the weeds. You're going to have to be in two places at once. But this is nothing new, this is how waiting tables works. I mean nursing. I mean...wait! Which one was I talking about? The blur is real.

Commonalities

The carry-over from one job to the next is so close it's almost a slap in the face. How could I have not seen it before? But it's true. Just like you need to remember to serve the entrées at table 4, put in the desert order on table 6, and then greet table 5; so too you will have to give meds to room 4, help 5 with their TV remote, and page the doctor about room 6[ER1] [ER2]. Of course, selling a surf and turf combo is different than administering life-saving medicines. The steaks (see what I did there?) are higher in nursing. But so is the reward.

Regulars

Waiters love regulars. People they have a connection with; people that know at least a little bit about them. These are your long-term or chronic patients, your frequent fliers. But instead of advanced small talk, you know these people. You know their family members, their story, their cat's problems. It might sound similar, but I contend that this connection is infinitely deeper and more satisfying as a nurse.

You excel at hospitality because of the connection you make with people. Now be there for them when they need your help and not just a refill of coffee. That gratitude will fill your heart. That gratitude has purpose. And isn't that what you're looking for? Isn't that what is lacking from hospitality, purpose?

The Team

Part of what keeps you in hospitality is the team aspect. Nothing builds a team faster than hardship and struggle. Friday nights, Mother's Day brunch and prom night large parties are a struggle. But at least you are going out after shift for drinks and to kvetch about your station. Nurses do this. Nurses band together as much or more than wait staff. The struggles are more serious, so the bonding is deeper. We meet up after shift for drinks. If you work night shift, you meet up for pancakes and mimosas before crashing. You get together for baby showers, you support each other when the times are tough. The camaraderie is real - both at the restaurant side station and the nurse's desk.

Theme Burn Out

Have you said any of these: "I'm so tired of coming home smelling like seafood!” "I'm sick of listening to mariachi music and slinging tacos to drunks.” "If I have to listen to one more entitled person complain about their steak…” So, you leave. You quit and find another restaurant. Another theme. It's easy. There's nothing stopping you. I loved this about hospitality. Don't like it here? Go over there.

What If It Doesn't Work Out?

What if I go to school, become a nurse and I hate being a Labor and Delivery nurse? Leave. Go somewhere else. Try a different specialty. Try a different hospital. Try a clinic job. I have been a floor nurse, dialysis nurse, worked in orthopedics and cardiology. I kept my wandering spirit, but with each new specialty I have grown as a nurse. You want to see the world? Spread your wings? I have moved three times and each time, finding a job was the easiest part of the move. Which job I was going to take, was a harder decision. Oh, and I forgot to mention the relocation that hospitals will pay to help you "spread your wings.”

I Need A Change

How many coworkers also complain about needing to make a change? I'm sure there are plenty. When I was deciding on whether to go to nursing school or not, there were at least 5 other servers also talking about making a change. We were all burnt out. I took the plunge. I applied and got accepted to an accelerated program. It was two years of hard work; school during the day, working at night, studying during off days, less sleep, more stress. I'm not going to sugarcoat it; nursing school is hard. But the shifts at the restaurant were so much easier knowing there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I could disassociate from the drama and fatigue. This was no longer "it" for me. I had a future beyond Caesar salads and iced tea refills.

By the time graduation came around, those same 5 servers were still talking about making a change. Still asking the "what if?” I ask you, what's harder, pushing yourself or wondering if you could? Can I? Should I? Will I? When? Unanswered questions occupy so much space. Take those questions out of the equation and the answer will float to the top. For me the answer was nursing. My only regret is that I didn't take the plunge earlier.

Having hospitality experience has already taught you how to be a nurse, you just need the schooling. I encourage you to take the plunge. I challenge you to bet on yourself. You can do it. I am not special.