What jobs did you do before nursing?

[nursefrances]

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?

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

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

.

You beat me!

I was twenty-five when I obtained my RN license. I think I was the youngest in my class. Ahhh youth, those were the days...

Just wait until you reach crusty old bat status. You're only five to seven years away. So wear it with pride. :)

[Perpetual Student]

You beat me!

I was twenty-five when I obtained my RN license. I think I was the youngest in my class. Ahhh youth, those were the days...

Just wait until you reach crusty old bat status. You're only five to seven years away. So wear it with pride. :)

I got my LPN license at 21, RN license at 24. Now my hair's going gray and I'm still a few years shy of 30.

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

When I was first married -- I worked in marketing at a local water park. :)

I spent most of my adult life raising babies!

I was a professional photographer for several years before hanging up the camera for the steth!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Retail management 23 years ago for 2 years (I was very young then), hotel concierge, guest services manager, and now RN BSN, Post RN in Geriatrics.

[zorabanks]

Social Work for 3 years right after college

[toucheturtle]

fast food

30 minute photo processing (college)

dining hall cashier (college)

fish packer on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea (every seen "Deadliest Catch?) - paid for most of college w/this job

nursing assistant

medical records coordinator

bookkeeper/secretary at Univ of Washington

admin assistant/coordinator

program manager at Microsoft

Now a nursing student at 43.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Summer Camp counselor and manager of a water park in Colorado.

[lawandaluxnurse, ADN, BSN]

I worked as a pharmacy tech this helped me especially learning drugs, uses and doses

[cityknitty_RN]

Server for 5 years through college for BSN.

Also worked as an LPN as soon as I was able to sit for boards.

Continued to work as an LPN through school, then as an AD RN and now full time with my BSN.

I had a clinical instructor tell me that servers make the best nurses.

Really, it's the same thing... just with people's lives instead of their food :thankya:

[roemerr]

I've been a public high school English teacher for 15 years

Job coach for people with disabilities for 2 years

Admissions recruiter for private, for profit colleges (basically a sales job)

Waitress and fast food worker while in college the first time

Hoping to be a nursing student at 45. (I've often wondered if my waitressing job was most like what I will experience as a floor nurse)

[EJBNeuroRN]

I have mostly worked in customer service/food service before I became a nurse. I originally went to college for engineering, hated it. Then I became part owner in an ice cream store, sold the business 4 years later. I used that to help pay for nursing school. While I was in nursing school I waited tables.

I would have to agree with cityknitty_RN nursing is a lot like waiting tables, multi-tasking, dealing with people and their families. I have found nursing to be more fulfilling, it can get kind of old when people continually complain about their $32 filet not being cooked exactly they way they like it. Seriously, that's your biggest problem?!

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

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!)

QUOTE]

Preach it Sister!!