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 Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.

I'm glad this thread was started again. Thanks guys. :rolleyes: It's cool to see all the different jobs people have done prior to nursing.

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I'm 36 and plan on enrolling in the fall for prereq for RN. I am taking my CNA right now because I would like to start working in a hospital to gain experience and I am sure I will learn a lot of things along the way. Does anyone know if there is a pay difference between a patient care technician and CNA? I plan on working 3rd shift to get shift differential. If anyone has any insight on this please let me know, thank you.

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I have been in a server off and on for 10+ years! I'm ready to get into school and start working as a cna/pct.

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Specializes in NICU.

hmm..we'll I'm only 21 (starting RPN school in the fall)...but here goes

-worked at Arby's...loved the people...still close with them today

- Harvey's (Canadian burger chain)...garnishing burgers..

-Sales associate in a lingerie store....got to wear pretty clothes and heels but it was VERY flakey

-sh!tty call center...worked for Qwest (the phone company)..people would call in and scream about their bill and then i was still expected to sell them internet service. all for minimum wage!

-I currently work as a personal concierge overnight...people call me for dining, tickets, flowers, what place delivers at 4am, i saw this painting in a restaurant in milan and want to buy it - make it happen, i want a customized cake delivered to my hotel in beijing at 3am...right now...etc.etc. its SO fun and I love it!

excited to get into nursing soon!!!!

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
hmm..we'll I'm only 21 (starting RPN school in the fall)...but here goes-worked at Arby's...loved the people...still close with them today- Harvey's (Canadian burger chain)...garnishing burgers..-Sales associate in a lingerie store....got to wear pretty clothes and heels but it was VERY flakey-sh!tty call center...worked for Qwest (the phone company)..people would call in and scream about their bill and then i was still expected to sell them internet service. all for minimum wage!-I currently work as a personal concierge overnight...people call me for dining, tickets, flowers, what place delivers at 4am, i saw this painting in a restaurant in milan and want to buy it - make it happen, i want a customized cake delivered to my hotel in beijing at 3am...right now...etc.etc. its SO fun and I love it!excited to get into nursing soon!!!!
I like that you are only 21 and have "vintage" in your name. I find that interesting :) I love Arbys...Beef and cheddars...yum. Your current job sounds interesting. It's amazing what people ask for isn't it? We stayed at a fancy schmancy hotel in Maui recently and they had this kind of service. I had a nice girl calling all over Maui looking for a certain under watera camera I wanted. Yep...very handy.
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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
ooooh my!

every time i read this i lol... :lol2:

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Specializes in NICU.
I like that you are only 21 and have "vintage" in your name. I find that interesting :) I love Arbys...Beef and cheddars...yum. Your current job sounds interesting. It's amazing what people ask for isn't it? We stayed at a fancy schmancy hotel in Maui recently and they had this kind of service. I had a nice girl calling all over Maui looking for a certain under watera camera I wanted. Yep...very handy.

The "vintage" is because I love vintage and retro things...i decorate my apartment like "mid century modern" with cool 50s and 60s things...i love retro clothing and music and pretty much anything vintage!

And yes my current job certainly keeps me on my toes! Im starting nursing in the fall and quite excited about it!

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My previous jobs were:

Student grader/reader (i graded papers, exams for math & sciences)

Secretary positions (dorm, college nursing dept, unit)

Recruiter (for a University. I also did tours)

Boy was my paycheck different once I had that RN behind my name.

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Wow. Lucky you. I know you're very thankful for all of the jobs you have had. I wish i had a long job history like that.....

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
every time i read this i lol... :lol2:
and you posting this made me lol too. i am glad that i was able to get my "voice" heard and understood with this post, that is hard to do sometimes. ;)
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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I worked at a movie theatre concession stand for about a month when I was 16.

Then I worked at Sonic for about a month when I was 18

Then I worked at Walmart for about 3 months when I was 19.

I quit all of them. I'm not a huge fan of the whole "working" thing.

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Specializes in LTAC, ICU, ER, Informatics.

Let's see...

7-11 clerk

data entry clerk

medical answering service operator

EMT/Paramedic

9-1-1 operator

emergency room registrar

medical assistant (at a doc-in-the-box)

Executive secretary (multiple fields)

Legal secretary

computer technician

database integration specialist

computer report writer

data warehouse analyst/programmer

And here I am at 42 one semester away from an AAS in nursing, hoping to get on with the local county hospital, crossing fingers and toes for the ER grad program.

I think all of my jobs have given me transferable skills. I've done a lot of customer service at various levels, which always helps. One of my exec sec positions was in the administrative offices of a hospital, so I've seen that side of things. I've worked in so many industries, including insurance, at the corporate levels so I understand the corporate mentality. I've worked on lots of different kinds of teams with different management styles and have learned to adapt to differing teams/management. My communication skills both verbally and in writing are very strong. My computer background makes it very easy for me to use the computer documentation/charting programs. Even though it's been quite a while, my medical background has really helped me in nursing school and I expect that it will help me going forward too.

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