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?

[klone, MSN, RN]

I was an herbalist, and I owned my own business where I made and sold herbal products. It still exists, owned and operated by my sister.

[Hygiene Queen]

Jewelry department in two (now defunct) department stores.

I loved it because I enjoyed working with my hands, untangling chains, fixing watches and arranging the displays.

I don't get giddy over jewels, per se, but I do love rocks and that's all diamonds and emeralds are... just really cool rocks.

Okay.

I am a nerd.

I also worked retail.

I got a job as the chick that greets everyone as they come into the store.

This was a trendy clothes store and I just wanted the job for the discounts!

I hated it.

Cause, like, oh. my. gawd.

Gag me with a spoon...

It was boring as heck!

I would watch everyone walk by in the mall and I would wish I could just walk right off with them!

One day I overheard my total Valley Girl wannabe manager talking about me to someone on the phone.

She said, "Um, like yaaah, I so totally hired this so cute bubbly blonde to work the entrance!"

That was it.

I left...

And then my best friend called me up,

"Hey woman! Ya wanna take a CNA class with me?"

[lawandaluxnurse, ADN, BSN]

I worked as a pharmacy tech and also schooling in medical lab technology

[carrie_c]

First job was as a housekeeper in a nursing home when I was 16. Very tough job physically, but I learned a lot about responsibility. Then worked as a waitress at Shoney's when I was 17. (Back when Shoney's was good, lol). Also worked at walmart as a cashier for a few months. That job really sucked, lol. Then worked as a CNA for awhile. Then worked a few years as a phlebotomist and medical assistant. I guess the medical jobs prepared me somewhat for nursing. Sounds crazy, but I think waiting tables helped me somewhat to learn organization and prioritizing. I feel like my phlebotomy training comes in handy the most, especially since we have to draw our own labs on my floor.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Bunny Ranch.....paid more than my stripper gig.....

Been taking care of people as long as I can remember in my adult life....however, one teenage summer--hotel cleaning from 9am-noon. Beach all afternoon, night job from 6pm-10pm at a department store. (got out just in time for the night life....well, as night life as you can get when you are 16 in the 80's....all to the soundtrack of the "Go-Go's"....)Those WERE the days.....

[nurse2many]

Flight attendant, than corporate cabin attendant for many, many years. Got my single engine private pilot license and got out of aviation all together to be a nurse. I had a chance to meat lot of celebrities who chartered a plane and have been around the world couple of times. This exposure to a high level executives and public in general has helped me tremendously in many ways in nursing. In stresful situations I don't get to excited, I deal with them in a calm matter, when you're with your feet on the ground there is a resonable solution to everything. It's funny how I can look at the "difficult" patient and not see the difficulty that other nurses see, I can say " I've been there, I've seen that".

I loved flying and I love nursing. Livning a dream!:cheers:

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

My first job was at a greenhouse, then at a vet hospital. When I was in college, I waited tables. When I graduated, I intended on going to law school, but my brain crapped out and I decided to wait. So I got a job as an administrative assistant for a slimeball who hit on me all the time. I sued him for harassment and won. Jerk.

I got a job in the marketing department for Burroughs Wellcome (way back in the day when it used to be BW) and learned graphic art. When the company was going through a merger, most of us lost our jobs, so I went to work for Kodak as a graphic artist. Mom got sick and I quit my job to care for her in the last months of her life. That's when I decided to go to nursing school. I worked as a CNA full time in the evenings and on weekends while in school, and learned A LOT!

I think that waitressing was the most valuable job that I had to prepare me for nursing. I learned how to multi-task, learned how to prioritize and keep a smile on my face while wanting to serve up a fist sandwich to some of my more difficult patrons. I learned the value of good shoes and strong coffee. I also learned how to work within a team. When I am orienting in the OR, I always ask my students if they have ever waited tables. Most have, so I tell them that circulating is like 'sterile waitressing'. They immediately get it! :)

[nurse2many]

Flight attendant, than corporate cabin attendant for many, many years. Got my single engine private pilot license and got out of aviation all together to be a nurse. I had a chance to meat lot of celebrities who chartered a plane and have been around the world couple of times. This exposure to a high level executives and public in general has helped me tremendously in many ways in nursing. In stresful situations I don't get to excited, I deal with them in a calm matter, when you're with your feet on the ground there is a resonable solution to everything. It's funny how I can look at the "difficult" patient and not see the difficulty that other nurses see, I can say " I've been there, I've seen that".

I loved flying and I love nursing. Livning a dream!:cheers:

OMG - " That's: meet celebrities" That's what happends when you post at 4am. LOL!

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

And happends happens at 0820. :)

[DutchRN09]

Was an aerobics teacher, retail at Casual Corner, A/R at a college [got an undergraduate degree for free that way while working FT], went to grad school, worked as a pastor, hospital chaplin, became a PCT, and then an RN. Have worked as a nurse 2.5 yrs

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

Macho Dancer in a gay bar and some nude night clubs!

You win.

[RN1485, BSN]

I'm not a nurse but here are my jobs before I became a CNA

-got my 1st job at Victoria's Secret when I was 18

-then worked at FYE

-then waited tables at a bar in college

-then worked as a mail clerk at a transportation business

-then got a job as a server at a golf club for weddings and brunches

-then worked as a student assistant in college

-then worked as a member services rep for a high school honor society

-then worked at Ann Taylor Loft for about a week

-then Coca-Cola gift shop as a cashier

-then worked at a LTC facility as a CNA

-Now working at an Assisted Living Facility as a CNA at 26

Hopefully I will have completed my ADN by 29 if I get accepted into the fall program!