What jobs did you do before nursing?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

I became a nurse (LVN) at age 25 and earned my RN license at 29 years old, so I was quite young when working these non-nursing jobs.

I was a part-time fast-food worker at age 17 while attending high school. I had worked at two different McDonald's restaurants and a Wienerschnitzel (fast food joint that specializes in hot dogs).

I worked part-time at Target, the 99 Cent Store, a temp agency, and a couple of grocery stores when I was 18 and 19 years old. I worked at a couple of group homes for adults with developmental disabilities between the ages of 19 and 20.

At age 20 I landed a job at a paper products factory and remained there for three years. I resigned from this job at age 23 and enrolled in a 12-month LVN program full-time because I realized that I was learning no useful skills at the factory that would result in fruitful job offers.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

I started nursing at 16. At 16 I worked as a CNA. At 20 worked as a LPN, now I'm 23 and work as a RN. Prior to starting nursing I've worked at mcdonalds, journey's ( a shoe store), best buy and other retail stores. I'm ready to retire. Been working since I was 14 years old! But I have a loooooong time before that will ever happen!

rubato, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

I'm a pre-nursing student, so not technically a nurse. But, before I was a student I was a personal trainer. I thought I would mix my love of exercise with my want to help others. Not a good fit. I learned very quickly that people who are out of shape are out of shape for a reason. It was very frustrating.

Before that, I owned my own business. I sold log homes in Kansas which also didn't go over very well. :rolleyes:

Way back in the day, I worked for the IRS, in a deli, and managed a pizza place.

FLmomof5 · Mar 10, 2012

Rocket Scientist and Computer Programmer.

Nope, didn't help me with nursing except that I didn't have to study much while in school.

Perpetual Student · Mar 10, 2012

My first formal job was as an LPN. I did some occasional odd jobs for cash (data entry, grunt labor, and so forth) prior to that, but otherwise I was just a student.

tokmom, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Library Aide while in high school, then CNA in a SNF for a few months. Gave that up for CNA hospital job and also did home health for a couple of years and moonlighting at a candle factory, while obtaining my LPN. After LPN, I worked in a hospital and moonlighted again, at a SNF part time. Finally obtained my RN after 4 yrs of LPN and have been in hospitals ever since.

guest2210 · Mar 10, 2012

nursing assistant before certification was required; cashier at 7-11 and lawson's; gas station manager; a couple of factories; lpn since i was 24.

iceCiel · Mar 10, 2012

I have been a lot of part time like dresser for half year and waitress for 2 mouths .. in my student time

it's just for Social Practice . :cool:

kids · Mar 10, 2012

I worked a total of 4 hours at a fast food place, once.

Body recovery for the Metro Dade Coroner's office.

Autopsy assistant for the King County (WA) ME.

Bail bonds.

Exotic dancer.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Forklift driver

Foundry worker

Truck Inspector

Top that.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

Probably every menial job out there?

McDonald's cook/cashier

Walmart cashier

Grocery bagger

Waitress

Dish washer

I think the only "typically menial" job I haven't held is janitor but did enough of that in various lab tech positions. (I can attest to how bad pseudomonas smells when autoclaves. Cockroaches being a distant second.)