Nveesee

Wonderful, thanks for your feedback!

So I'm working on my resume for a new job and need some advice re: whether or not to list my bartending experience. I worked at a super busy neighborhood bar for 6 years while getting my Bachelor's in Dance and going through RN school. I've been working as an RN for a year now and am looking to move more downstate NY and work at a bigger hospital. As far as my RN experience goes: I worked in the OR for 6 months as a circulator and have been on a tele-step down unit for the past 6 months. My question is: since I have only 1 year experience as an RN, should I put the bartending job down as experience? There are a lot of similar skills in the service industry and nursing: time-management, multi-tasking, customer service, working in a fast-paced environment, delegating tasks, etc. I mean, at the bar, you're dealing with people in various emotional states and many of them have had a crappy day, are depressed or lonely and really just wanting someone to listen to them. We see these patients every day! Side note: when I interviewed for my position on the tele floor, my manager was thrilled to hear I had so much restaurant experience and said that some of the best nurses she's ever known had worked in the service industry. She owns a restaurant with her husband so she has first hand experience. So I know it can be helpful ... BUT! I just don't know if I should include it or not. The fact that I held the same job for 6 years has to earn me some credit, right? I mean, how many years experience should we be showcasing? Any advice would be really helpful, thanks!

Thank you everyone for your positive responses! I'm a new nurse and have been in the OR a month now and today I really needed to hear some optimism to boost my confidence. Some days things go smoothly and I learn a lot, and other days I feel like I'm back to square one. It's tough being new!

I took the position in the OR and it's going well! I'm not sure what the patient to nurse ratio is because I'm not working on the floor. Are you interviewing for a position here? If so, best of luck! :-)

First off, thank you to everyone who offered great advise in this thread! My second interview with Bassett is this Friday via Skype with 4 different nursing managers. It's a 2 hour interview and I'm preparing as much as I can, but need some advise! What type of questions were you asked during the second interview? Any advise you have is so incredibly appreciated!