What did you do before you were a nurse and how has it contributed to your career?

trmr · Apr 17, 2008

Before I was a nurse, I worked as a CNA. I think it helped as far as getting a "taste" of what nursing would be like. Some of the first things I learned in nursing didn't seem quite as foreign once I got there, because I had a little knowledge going in. Before those days, I did a lot of babysitting. I didn't have my own children until after I was a nurse, and after the birth of my first, I stayed home and did daycare for a short time. Then I decided she would be ok not joined to my hip, and got back into nursing. Now I am mother of 2 and wife and nurse. Loving every minute of it!!!!!

Luv2BAnurse · Apr 17, 2008

I had gone to NS right after HS graduation, but quit and got married and had children. I worked as an 8th grade special education assistant teacher for several years before going back to NS.

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

While in nursing school I was a CNA for 4 years.

Prior to that I spent 10 years in the HR field doing the contract hiring for fortune 500 companies, I learned wicked negotiation skills as well as provided lots of educating on both the hiring parties and the applicants.

On top of that I have been a wife for 18 years (if you ask me today that has been my most difficult job) and a mother of 4.

Mesh all those skills together and I think it makes a good nurse.

Funny how we all got here.

Jen911 · Apr 17, 2008

Prior to nursing school, I worked as a CNA for 10 years. Once I started school, I decided my brain was being overloaded with healthcare "stuff" so I decided to work in a different profession during school I took a job as a Sheriff's Dispatcher/911 operator. This job taught me how to think fast, use critical thinking skills, and how to find resources quickly. Great job to prepare me for quick paced ER so I can think quickly on my feet and prioritize.

TazziRN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

In my senior year of high school I was a playground supervisor at a grade school. Right after high school I worked in the infant section of a day care center. Then I got my CNA and did that for several years while I went to nursing school. Working with babies and kids helped me know how to handle kids. Being a CNA helped me with geriatrics and also gave me the chance to get to know the industry before becoming a nurse myself.

Nurse Salt · Apr 17, 2008

I am a second career nurse, during my first "career" I was in management for two large companies and this experience helped in the obvious ways. More interestingly, during my nursing program as well as during my previous college career I was a cocktail waitress and bartender... This experience is not much different from nursing in many aspects: I still distribute mood altering substances and most of my people are confused, belligerent, foul mouthed, grabby, and tend to fall down a lot!!! :monkeydance: One thing I do miss: the tips! Oh, and being able to have my own "mood altering substance" during closing time!!! And closing time for that matter!!! "Last Call" are the two sweetest words a bartender can utter, er rather, scream!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

While I'm one of the younger "1st career" students, I spent approximately six years before nursing school taking care of an unstable bi-polar relative. Psych rotation was so easy thanks to that, I wasn't scared of psych pts, and I knew what all the meds were used for (she had been on a good number of combinations trying to figure out what worked). I wouldn't have a problem working psych, might do it eventually, but I enjoy the medical aspect and would like to build my skills in that area.

jessiern, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2008

I held a few odd jobs before nursing school, but mostly I was a student. I worked as a waitress, a pharm tech, and a nurse's aide/work clerk. I learned how to deal with people was a waitress, and make them happy. I learned about meds as a pharm tech, and learned to pay attention to small details that can make a big difference. And with the last I got familiar with patient care and the hospital environment.

imanedrn · Apr 17, 2008

My first degree is in business with an emphasis in management information systems (see also: computers). I worked several jobs as a student where I did the work of a full-time professional in PR. Right before I graduated with my BSBA, I had a job a telecom company (provided phone & data services to businesses).

Overall, I've had a TON of jobs that required copious amounts of customer service, and I know that directly benefits nursing. I know the new trend is to refer to patients as clients. While I refuse to do, I do like treating my patients as clients. They may be indirectly paying my salary, but they still deserve the same "customer service" that my high paying telecom customers received.

All of the tasks specific to nursing have been a huge learning curve for me to overcome. But the caring aspect of nursing has only been intensified by my past experiences. I know there's a lot more to nursing (i.e., prepping for procedures, making sure orders are entered, knowing when & when not to give meds, etc.) than just providing "basic care," but all that's coming with time.

Tabbycoley · Apr 17, 2008

I was a stripper:chuckle. it tought me the skill of manipualtion:lol2:

hpcat · Apr 17, 2008

I'm still in school, currently a senior copywriter for a cosmetics company for almost 15 yrs. Before that I was a secretary/admin asst for about 10 yrs. I think a business background is handy since the big hospital corps have really made healthcare more like a big business. I can usually figure out why they're doing the things they do, even when they don't say or make sense. Big clue... $.

I've also been a patient, most notably I had a ruptured disk in my neck - 10 hrs of surgery, 2 weeks in the hospital, 1 month with a walker, 6 months with a halo and 1.5 years out of work... and did I mention having to learn to walk all over again? Believe me, when you can't feed yourself, walk or get up without assistance, do ADLs or even wipe yourself without help, you figure out pretty fast how important nurses are - and how important empathy and caring is in nursing.

I also have a BA in social and behavioral sciences - lots of psych and sociology. I've found I LOVE psych nursing, so hey, I may get to use my degree for more than figuring out why my coworkers are so dysfunctional. :clown: