I used to work in a Nightclub. Does it look bad to play this up to hiring managers?

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Hi folx! 

Newish BSN- prepared RN here! Trying to land my first hospital gig. I have a little over a year of experience at a SNF and I feel like I've become a fairly competent RN. I haven't been making it past the first round of the interview process and I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong... 

I have a fairly long history working as a bartender at a (locally) fairly well-known gay nightclub. I have been trying to play this up in interviews and on my resumé because I feel like it gave me a lot of good experience that translates well to soft skills of nursing. 

Should I tone it down?  I'm worried that I may be giving the wrong impression to hiring managers. 

Any advice on the subject would be appreciated. Thank you! 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

I don't believe your bartender experience may be garnering you much positivity. Instead, if you've been highlighting it heavily, it could be detrimental. (As in being a bit too flashy & flamboyant.) Other than some people skills and longevity what did you gain from that job that makes you desirable applicant???

Your SNF experience would most prob be a better presentation point. Delegation, supervision, conflict management, critical thinking, time management, technical skill proficiency doing X, Y & Z, incl computer skills, team coop, project completion, etc.

JMO, but I think those skills would be more desirable to a potential employer than how well you mix a drink or tag an underage drinker.

As I say, JMO.

 

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Tone up your nursing experience. They are probably getting the impression you would rather be working at a club tending bar.

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Thank you for the feedback. I've been needing some outside input. Most of my good friends (even nursing friends) are other service industry types so I value the fresh perspective. Thank you! 

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Specializes in NICU.

Never ever share your personal life,unusual hobbies with co workers,administration.The response you will get might not be what you were expecting,and can be  very negative,mean.Keep things close to your chest,you will last longer.You will be working with nurses,staff from many different areas,countries,religions,prejudices,keep your  mouth shut.Keep it off FB.Word to the wise.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I doubt they care much about that job experience and opens up the possibility of unfair judgement etc.  I would tone that super down and beef up the current nursing job.  If possible, don't discuss the bartending job.

Don't share much about your personal life, and every answer should revolve around nursing.  Good luck.

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Specializes in Nursing Student.

I am a nursing student so I don't have advice to give, but I just wanted to say that I completely understand why you would have been playing up your bartending work.  The advice to leave out your personal life (wise though it probably is) makes me sad.  Good luck!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Brume - don't know how old you are or if you've had any previous prof work experience. But when interviewing for nsg positions, esp as a new grad, it behooves the applicant to project as strong as poss a prof image for a new employer. And the applicant needs to demonstrate why the applicant is the best candidate for the job based on prof attributes suitable for nsg.

Unless the OP had some special extra bartending duties that would make her/him stand out, I don't think a prospective employer would find that prev experience as enhancing a new nsg position.

So thinking ahead for yourself, remember you'll need to emphasize your best nsg skills to your best advantage.

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Specializes in med-surg.
On 1/9/2021 at 2:32 AM, MikoPDX said:

I am 37 but spent the entirety of my 20s in fine dining food service (I know, a bit different but stick with me here).  I do not disclose this on my resume with specifics.  Instead, I add "9 years of previous experience in hospitality customer service" elsewhere in the resume (you can decide what you would wish to group this in if you include it).  This may or may not apply to you, depending on how long it's been.  Definitely make the bulk of it about HC experience, education, volunteering, affiliations, certifications, etc though.  Best of luck.

Honestly, IMO, I think your work as a bartender will serve you greatly in your practice.  Think about it.  When people are ill, they are out of it to varying degrees and very often seeking people to connect with as a means to calm themselves.  I think it's a great life experience for you that could make the psychsoc nurturing aspect very second nature for you.  But... people can be close-minded and ignorant in their judgements so, I agree with some of these posts saying that you should not go there.

 

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

As others have mentioned, I would speak of non-nursing-related experience only in general terms. Most employers are not going to see years of experience as a bartender as being indicative of your competence as a nurse - and they would be right. It isn't. It probably taught you a lot about dealing with different types of people, but getting into specifics about it probably isn't helping you.

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