The worst job you had before becoming a Nurse?

MaryB7, BSN · Mar 31, 2016

I worked as a cleanup person at a facility that trained dogs. And yes, it was as bad as it sounds. What was worse was that I had previously worked as an electronic tech making 4 times the money but at the time this was all I could find. When you get hungry you will take anything. I cleaned poop and pee up after dogs. Little did I realize when I entered nursing school that this was a primer for some of my duties as a nurse. The dogs were grateful at least. Though I do get a buzz after I have diagnosed and gotten orders to help someone's condition, or I just finished working a successful code. Or a patient just says thank you for their care.

Haijun · Apr 1, 2016

I watched the people who watched the computers to make sure they were still running. 13 hr night shift. 72 hrs/wk. and generally had to attend some meeting or training befor/after/between shifts during normal working hours.

angeloublue22, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2016

I had two jobs. First, I was a cat psychologist (that didn't go well). All my clients ended up being aloof and only wanting affection on their own terms no matter what I tried. Plus, I'm severely allergic to cats. Second, I was a food taste tester, which sounds pretty cool but I had to taste test spoiled food to see how it would effect people. I'm now the proud owner of my own batch of H. Pylori.

nurseinthezoo · Apr 1, 2016

Working at a carwash in the winter.

jothad · Apr 1, 2016

Good Humor driver lol...did it for 3 days, sold 1 ice cream bar in 1978

BeckyESRN · Apr 1, 2016

Worst job: cashier at Home Depot. The "regulars" were just vile. The same contractors were always in the store and they were sexist jerks. I(we) were sexually harassed on a daily basis. I hated that place! I won't set foot in that particular store anymore.

Best Job: Pet Supply Plus, I was in charge of the reptiles, small mammals, and birds. I loved that job. The place was wonderful, the people were awesome. Only downside, I've been bite, scratches, stung, struck, or otherwise maimed by every animal you can think of-I actually didn't mind it!

How has nursing changed my life: It made me realize that I can manage my anxiety. It helped me financially. It improved my social skills when it come to dealing with large groups. It gave me real purpose. It ignited my passion for nursing. It lead to my marrying the most amazing man ever. It allows me to feel accomplished and touch peoples lives in a meaningful way.

Good questions, OP!

1hotnurse08 · Apr 1, 2016

Kmart.... Those horrible and irregular hours. I would go to work at noon and wouldn't get off until closing ( the irregular hours were all over the place) and assembling, plugging and taping wire harnesses at a factory...my fingers used to hurt so bad! I would tape my fingers to try to help ease the pain!! When I got my acceptance letter to nursing school back in 1999 I left that factory and never looked back!! I couldn't get out of there fast enough!!

doveswingz · Apr 2, 2016

A hotel as a front desk clerk. When we weren't busy we were expected to do the laundry! I thought that's what the housekeepers were for!

ShelbyaStar · Apr 2, 2016

I have worked quite the menagerie of different jobs, but the worst was an apprentice for a particular horse trainer in OH. It was my second internship and I was thrilled to be going to work for a successful trainer, and moved three states over away from my now-husband to do so. He was insane. He literally screamed at me because my second time packing up for a horse show, I put the spurs in the wrong place in the trailer, and again on the way home because I couldn't get a horse tied in the trailer- then he couldn't either. I think he honestly wanted me to get hurt- he had me riding a horse that bucked everyone else off (luckily we got along just swell) and cantering a young one before he was ready and his wife had to step in and tell him to knock it off. Oh, and more yelling because I didn't tie a bucket up the way he liked- sorry, I didn't realize there was a fancy, proper way to tie up a bucket with baling twine!

I lasted two months and put in my two weeks notice and he pulled the whole "well we were going to fire you anyway, get out before we get back from the show this weekend". I am so thankful I found a hauler to get my horse out before I left because I would've worried for her safety otherwise. One of these days, he will piss off the wrong person and someone is going to burn his barn down. He could act very charming in public but behind closed doors, he was a monster. Probably the closest person to literal sociopath that I've been around in person.

I took another apprenticeship with someone else (who loved me and my work ethic btw, so I have yet to figure out why this person hated me so much) for another year. I then tried to strike out on my own before I figured I better find something more stable and with benefits and where I didn't have to be such a salesperson. So to nursing I came. Oof my BP still spikes just thinking about that creep. He'll get his, one day- I did hear his best customer that basically retired from breeding, so that will be a huge hit for him.

joe007 · Apr 2, 2016

Roofing -- hot 150+ degrees on the blacktop, angled could fall off easily with no safety harness, messy with tar, sunburns.

AJPV · Apr 2, 2016

Night shift bagging powdered milk in a milk processing plant. Usually about 90 degrees and humid due to the huge machinery. Came home in the morning blowing milk dust out of my nose. The guy running the thing was an alcoholic and routinely stood on the back dock enjoying beverages and smoking (when he wasn't cussing at me). They didn't properly clean the tanks that made up the huge four-story tall contraption which caused one of the large tanks to start on fire. On the following shift I had to crawl into the burnt out tank with no protective gear or mask and pull out all the burned up filters. All that for about $7.50/hour.

jjmm RN,BSN · Apr 2, 2016

telemarketing!