Nursing and waitressing/food service industry

[nursefrances]

I was thinking about how many nurses I know who were waitresses/servers before becoming nurses. I think this comes in handy because you learn how to multi-task, how to work in a fast paced/stressfull environment, how to play nice with other coworkers, AND how to communicate with the public.

Anyone else out there work in this field before nursing?

Sometimes on student threads I see posts from students wanting to work as a CNA, etc. to get experience while going through school. Unfortunately it's tough to land these jobs in the current market. I think maybe they should work as servers instead. You get tips and you learn how to hustle/work hard.

[sjalv]

No offense to waiters/waitresses and bartenders, but I feel like this comparison is belittling to nursing as a profession. Many in my nursing class were waitresses or bartenders, and two of my coworkers are even still part-time bartenders. Sure you gain time management and communication skills in serving customers, but waiting tables isn't exactly a respected profession where you're inclined to use critical thinking and apply your knowledge. There already is a stigma surrounding nursing, perpetrated by the ignorant general public, that we are just some servants who bring meds and wipe up crap. Well when nurses themselves are spewing these comparisons publicly it isn't exactly advancing our case... just my two cents.

Only one person said that they feel like waitresses and I am sure it was said tongue-in-cheek. I feel like you are reading too much into the post. OP said "I think this comes in handy because you learn how to multi-task, how to work in a fast paced/stressful environment, how to play nice with other coworkers, AND how to communicate with the public." All of these things are true and are applicable in the field of nursing. In contrast, there are people who think all servers do is write down an order and tell the cooks. You can see why that is wrong. There are people who think all physicians do is write orders. There are people who think all cops do is pull people over. Nursing is a very respected profession, one of the top 5 most trusted professions in the country in fact. I certainly do not feel a stigma attached to nursing. Every person I have told that I am in school to become a nurse has said things like, "That's great! You'll make an impact on someone's life." Rarely have I been met with statements like, "Oh, you're gonna have to see poo and vomit." If you feel so inclined, educate these people about what nurses really do, but don't make statements like "There's a stigma surrounding nursing."; it's not like we are an up and coming profession who has to earn the respect of our fellow people. We have been around for centuries.

[Marsha238612]

I did 2 years of waitressing and actually liked it, but I just got a CNA certification and I'm actively searching for a CNA/PCT position so I can get used to the healthcare setting. A hospital is my first choice because of the variety of patients.

I'm sure the OP is not implying that serving tables is the best prior job experience one can have.

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[ixchel]

No offense to waiters/waitresses and bartenders but I feel like this comparison is belittling to nursing as a profession. Many in my nursing class were waitresses or bartenders, and two of my coworkers are even still part-time bartenders. Sure you gain time management and communication skills in serving customers, but waiting tables isn't exactly a respected profession where you're inclined to use critical thinking and apply your knowledge. There already is a stigma surrounding nursing, perpetrated by the ignorant general public, that we are just some servants who bring meds and wipe up crap. Well when nurses themselves are spewing these comparisons publicly it isn't exactly advancing our case... just my two cents.[/quote']

I don't think the majority is saying that nursing is just like waiting tables or bartending. The way I take this thread, and the way I feel in my own experience, is that some skills gained in food service can be translated into helpful for patient interaction and being a good employee. I'm thankful that multitasking in a fast paced environment and dealing with truly difficult people (or lazy or terrible coworkers) are things I learned BEFORE I have to do those things in nursing. Learning all that goes along with nursing care is hard enough by itself. It truly is an advanced profession that I am proud to be entering into. I couldn't imagine going into this without learning how to be an employee in other fields first, including food service.

Think of it as a tribute to what food service teaches you in the scope of being a good employee in general, and not as a direct comparison. Food service gives us valuable people skills, valuable employee skills, not nursing skills.

I apologize if my previous response in this thread appeared to marginalize nursing in any way.

[nynursey_]

I think this is horrible advice. While many non healthcare jobs offer good experience there is no substitute for direct care. I precept a lot of students and the ones who never worked in healthcare have the toughest time - regardless of what their other job was. They spend of good portion of the preceptorship or capstone wetting their pants. Student nurses who have worked in healthcare are already accustomed to the environment and the pace and get to start working right away on professional nursing tasks during a preceptorship instead of taking hours to change a brief. A student I had for a clinical day last week (who told me "No, I don't work as a CNA, I work as a waitress because I can make so much more money") spent half of her shift crying because her c-diff patient's briefs fell down while walking the unit and they left a trail of BM for about 100 feet. This was during her final clinical of nursing school. Students with CNA experience (generally) don't do this. This is my experience overall. Yes you have CNAs who are idiots and waitresses who learn quickly, but in general the best ones - and the ones who get hired first - have healthcare experience.[/quote']

I never worked as a CNA throughout my time in nursing school, but instead waitressed and taught swimming lessons to children. And I never, ever had an issue making the transition, or "spent an hour changing a brief."

I think we also need to get rid of the idea that the only way to be prepared to enter the field is to be a CNA/PCT. Many of the new graduates on my floor, including myself, weren't aides prior to working as nurses, and we were not inept nor were we bumbling idiots in making the transition.

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

My first job ever was working at McDonald's, then I worked at a dining hall at my college. I also worked as a temp in a catering service. Now, I work as a nurse's aide (currently in nursing school).

If nothing else, my previous jobs have taught me how to deal with difficult people...a handy skill in patient care.

[nynursey_]

My first job ever was working at McDonald's then I worked at a dining hall at my college. I also worked as a temp in a catering service. Now, I work as a nurse's aide (currently in nursing school). If nothing else, my previous jobs have taught me how to deal with difficult people...a handy skill in patient care.[/quote']

As many other threads have relayed, clinical skills can be taught. People skills, on the other hand, and critical thinking, are much harder to come by. And working in any sort of customer service field is extremely helpful in being able to diffuse situations before they become hostile.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

Well....I was eating lunch at a pretty trendy restaurant a few weeks ago, my server was a new grad who had yet to find a job. She still is working there even after graduating.

Just saying.

[flyersfan88]

I think this is horrible advice.

While many non healthcare jobs offer good experience, there is no substitute for direct care. I precept a lot of students and the ones who never worked in healthcare have the toughest time - regardless of what their other job was. They spend of good portion of the preceptorship or capstone wetting their pants.

Student nurses who have worked in healthcare are already accustomed to the environment and the pace and get to start working right away on professional nursing tasks during a preceptorship instead of taking hours to change a brief.

A student I had for a clinical day last week (who told me "No, I don't work as a CNA, I work as a waitress because I can make so much more money")

Not all of us have the luxury of taking the pay cut to go from serving to being a CNA. Serving makes my car payment and rent. I never worked as a CNA, nor have I ever cried over spilt C. diff. I've met just as many competent students without experience as I have apathetic, moronic techs and CNAs.

My years of serving and retail have taught me people and hospitality skills that cannot be replicated. I regret not having the connections I might have had working as a CNA, but being a CNA wasnt going to pay my way thru my absn program.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

The best part is that simultaneously there is a thread wherein the staff nurses had to bake cookies for their patients. In an easy-bake oven.

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

I don't think this topic is saying "get a job in a restaurant instead of a healthcare facility". I read the OP as saying, healthcare-related jobs are not easy to get, and if a student nurse is having trouble, then waiting tables is a job that will give you multitasking, customer service, time management, and prioritization skills while also providing a decent income. Of course working as a PCT would be better, but as a student nurse speaking, it isn't exactly easy to find a) a hospital that'll hire a student nurse with no previous healthcare experience and b) offer a position for part-time.

Thank you

[smartypantsnurse, LPN]

I don't know what I'm doing right now....

[smartypantsnurse, LPN]

@ hey_suz LOL that made me laugh. Ahhh the joys of being a nurse.