What jobs did you do before nursing?

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For a short time 20 years ago I cut hair, I consider myself a "people person". I also worked as a medical assistant (certified ophthamic assistant to eye surgeons, and Lasik technician) for 13-14 years so this helped me feel more comfortable (a little) as a new grad because of previous experience interacting with doctors and patients.

Just curious what other jobs you did before going into the nursing field? Do you think your previous experiences help you now?

Specializes in PCCN.
Ooooh my!

Awesome!!!!! lol.

I worked at Mickey D's while in hS, then for GM for 17 years before they sent our job over to France and Mexico. What I wouldn't give now to have that job back!!!! at least we got breaks and luches, and we got out at a defined time every single day. No such thing as no break for 14 hours!!!

Oh, the good old days :-(

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Grocery bagger

Food service worker

Camp counselor

Bartender

Secretary

Museum assistant

Conference/Event planner

Backstage theatre work (stage manager, set carpentry lighting)

When I "grow up" I'm hoping to become a diabetes educator, after completing my BSN program.

Every job has helped me. I've gained skills and learned to work with a variety of people. Am hoping diabetes educator will be my last stop in job hopping!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

In college at the traditional age, the most interesting? embarrassing? job I had was as a character actor for a party store. I was the worst clown ever at a kids' birthday party, a pink ape on Valentine's day to some chick with a creative boyfriend, and there is a video out of there of me singing happy birthday with a bikini on to a college coach in front of all the players. Thank god it was before the days of youtube.

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Started working at a running specialty store in high school-selling shoes and gear, getting things organized for local races etc.

THEN....

babysitter/nanny

waitress and bartender at various restaurants

Summer daycare (5-8 yrs, so cute :) :) )

lab assistant in college

"park ranger" at a campground

hotel concierge

and currently a vet tech until I start nursing school in the fall!

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Mmmm.....pie.....I'm going to have to settle for girl scout cookies. =)

I was a lifeguard/ swim teacher in high school and college.

I tutored, as well.

I was a Marine Corps Officer for 8 yrs, after college.

Now I'm an RN and a Marine Corps Reservist. I make twice as much for my USMCR time and most days, work at least half as hard. Why did I leave active duty?

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Pizza maker

Manufacturing/factory.

Would still be in the factory if they hadn't closed it down and eliminated 1,000 jobs.

I think of that factory job often, and fondly.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU (PCCN); Heme/Onc/BMT.

1) A Sexton for a church (during high school)

2) A steel factory worker (for four summers during music college; it paid for that college)

3) Cashier & cook at Burger King

4) Custodian for 3 apartment building housing Priests

5) Lounge musician on a cruise ship (during my single years)

6) Keyboardist/choir director for a church (still have the job after 28 years)

7) Gave piano lesson for several years

8) Cook for a pizza restaurant

9) Dietary aide for a nursing home

10) Nursing assistant (for the same nursing home)

11) physical therapy assistant (for the same nursing home)

12) Sold home-made baked goods at the Green Markets in NYC (farmer's market)

13) Lounge musician on a cruise ship (while married)

14) Nursing assistant at a community hospital

FINALLY. . . . Registered Nurse (for 20 years)

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Lets see - I worked as a clerk in a Dominos Pizza, Burger King and Drug Store when I was in HS...once I was 17 I started waitressing for my mom (she owned a restaurant) which eventually led to tending bar, managing, cooking dishwashing etc etc etc...after I got out of college I worked in phone customer service for 13 years, with 10 of that for an insurance company (I have a property and casualty insurance license). Am hoping for a nurse externship position this summer which will segue into an aide position after that is over and an RN position after I graduate next May

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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.

I'm on page one of this thread and just read this post.

Need I go any farther?

I think not. :)

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Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.

First "real" job is a Registered Nurse....I'm 23.

Prior to being a RN...I worked at summer jobs as a cashier, daycare assistant, lab assistant, and employed student nurse.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Hmmm.......let's see. I've been a:

Mother of four (and anyone who doesn't agree that EVERY mother is a working mother can go chase a cat!:nono:)

Factory worker

Motel/apartment manager

Auto detailer (also co-owned a mobile detailing business w/ my hubby)

Telemarketer (for a single, unforgettable, traumatic 4-hour shift)

Office assistant

Spanish tutor

CNA

Freelance writer (still am ;))

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Movie theater concession stand, back before they installed cash registers. All addition and subtraction was done in your head with one hundred and fifty-six people in line to serve, within fifteen minutes.

I suck at mental math. I didn't last long.

"... I'll take one Jumbo popcorn, two med extra-buttered, two Jujubees, three large cokes and one med diet, one small 7-Up no ice, two Dots, one Good 'N Plenty and three Raisinettes..."

"Uhhhhh..."

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