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?

Dominatrix for a while, that was great pay for doing nothing at all but wave things around and threaten people.

You win.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.

Bringing this one back.

I like to hear (well....read) what others have done before nursing. Anyone want to share?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

at age 14, candy striper for 2 years

nanny/housekeeper while in high school

nurse's aide

USGSA clerk

hostess, line prep at Red Lobster

counter clerk at JCPenney Catalogue (back in the days we had to type in the teletype orders)

BSN/RN at 21

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

clerk in a cheese store

cashier and stocker in a university bookstore

computer operator in the order department of a publishing company

crisis hotline listener

elementary education teacher

medical records file clerk

clerk and sewing teacher in a fabric store

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.
at age 14, candy striper for 2 years

nanny/housekeeper while in high school

nurse's aide

USGSA clerk

hostess, line prep at Red Lobster

counter clerk at JCPenney Catalogue (back in the days we had to type in the teletype orders)

BSN/RN at 21

My daughter is a server at Red Lobster, she appreciates the hostesses and line prep peeps. :yes:

BSN/RN at 21? Nice! :up:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Subacute, Homecare, LTC.

I was a manicurist for 5 years in an upscale salon. I haaaaaaaaated it. Love nursing though!

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Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

Shelter worker

Vet assistant

Vet tech (Small clinics, shelter, ER/ICU)

Doggie Day Care Supervisor

Receptionist at an Alzheimer's facility

RA at an assisted living facility

CNA at a nursing home/rehab facility

And now a stay-at-home mom and pre-nursing student.

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

When I was 16 I worked at a local pizza place for awhile. Then they went out of business, lol. I worked at Game Stop as a seasonal employee, then I worked at Red Robin right before I went to college. I became an RN at 23.

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17th century historic house spinning, weaving, candle-dipping, dyeing yarn I spun-- I can still do it, too

Nurse's aide

Drove a truck delivering magazines for a diaper service

Three days doing telephone sales for Time magazine .... loathed that

Amway (soooo embarrassed) (total bust)

First RN job at 22

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Delivered free samples door-to-door (delivered laundry detergent and then spaghetti sauce).

Did assembly-line making magic-marker ink markers.

Keypunch operator in a stone quarry business data-processing office, then a title search company.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Hmm babysitter,horse trainer, sales at an equine supply store,chef's assistant,housekeeper at a residential school, personal support worker, nurse.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

sales at a local boutique

fill in in my dad's office when a secretary went on maternity leave, plus I did some legal research in those pre-computer days

worked at Arby's

worked as a server at a steakhouse

managed 3 DD group homes in grad school

worked as an editor for a publishing house

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