What did you do before you were a nurse?

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Nurses come from all walks of life. I'm just curious about other jobs people have help before they began their nursing careers. The more obscure the better. :)

Do tell...

I was a personal banker for 10 years full-time and a bartender part-time.

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Specializes in NICU.

Teacher. I also sang at weddings and funerals for extra cash (still do occasionally). I originally went to school to be an opera singer : )

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Worked at Burger king, then a video store during high school, joined the military at 18, got out after 6 years, worked at GNC, then went to school for CNA, but haven't found a job as a CNA, currently in Nursing school and after I graduate, I plan to be either a CRNA or Nurse Practitioner, and also plan on commissioning into the airforce or navy after graduating...

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Specializes in psych,maternity, ltc, clinic.

Social Worker.

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Before entering nursing school I went to automotive school and I was a Mercedes technician for about 5 years. I don't miss it a bit!

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Specializes in PACU.

I did hair for 10 years. I was very good and do miss it on my bad days. :o

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

Landscape laborer or Landscape Small Crew Supervisor, depending on the time of year. I'd still be doing it if they pay were a little better AND I didn't have to do the crazy snow removal hours. During the winter, no matter how bad nursing gets, I am just so happy to be indoors.

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Specializes in Medicine.

Girls Soccer coach

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At age 14, I worked Kentucky Fried Chicken ($1.00 an hour!), then Dunkin Donuts ($2.10 an hour), carwash, California Dept Forestry EMT/seasonal Firefighter, LVN, vet tech for large animals, paramedic/firefighter, RN, apprentice Midwife, camp nurse, movie set medic/nurse and now a baby nurse/nanny for newborns or anything that pays that needs a RN!

Good, fun thread! Thanks!

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-kitchen staff (hate it, so hot in the summer)

-receptionist for a realty company (hated it, some realtors can be mean to the support staff)

-temp job as H1N1 screener (loved it, basically got paid to study and just told people who entered the hospital to wash their hands or wear a mask)

can't wait until i'm done school!

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Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I was a receptionist at a hair salon, then an optometry tech. I really miss my receptionist days. Easy job, free haircuts and color. :p

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

editor for large corporations. i was employed by a large marketing research firm.

part of my job was helping develop the surveys and questionnaires that you fill out when asked then think to yourself, "i wonder who wrote this thing?"

the rest of my job was editing copy for ad campaigns and making necessary changes and corrections.

to this day, i edit everything i read.

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