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...

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I was a groom/assistant trainer with standardbred racehorses,worked in an equestrian supply store,mommy,chef's assistant in two upscale restaurants, Personal Support Worker(Canadian version of a CNA),housekeeper at a residential school,RPN.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med- Surg.

A cake decorator for 14 years.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Police Officer....and to be honest wish I would have continued.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

Babysat since I was about 12/13 for some neighborhood kids. My first job at age 14 was with the Boston Youth Clean Up Crew cleaning local parks in the summer. After that, I was a camp counselor for two summers, then worked in retail at a Hallmark store prior to working as a Nurse Tech through nursing school (both at my current LTC facility and at a teaching hospital in Boston). Also part time jobs during college included working at the reception desk in my dorm & tutoring A&P.

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Specializes in LTC, Subacute Rehab.

I worked at a sandwich joint for a month when I was 16.

I became a CNA when I was 17.

I graduated LVN school at 19.

Gah, I've spent my entire adult life in nursing!

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- My first job was when I was 15. I lived in the Netherlands (dad's a diplomat), and worked at the canadian embassador's residence (22 acres) as a groundskeeper. Best job ever... basically planted some flowers, took 2 hour lunches, followed by 2 hour naps, then had a competition with my boss/co-workers for who could bounce the most tennis balls into the box. Oh yeah, for $13/hour.

- Next was at a golf club as the kid who picked up the balls on the driving range and washed them and the clubs. That didn't last long... 3-4 months... I hated it.

- Then I worked at a cafe as a server... amazing people there, I had a great time. Only last 6 months about because I moved.

- Then my current job as a medical secretary at a doctor's office. Love love love love it. Great people and it's the best job I can get in the medical field with what little experience/knowledge I have right now. I'll be continuing to work there part-time when I start school in August :)

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Specializes in PACU.

I worked a seasonal job at Mervyns when I was 16. I was a cashier. Another cashier job at Sears until I graduated hs. Went to school for my medical assisting certificate. Didn't get hired for awhile. So I worked at a home day care that lasted about 1 week. Finally found work at a pediatric medical office where I'm still currently employed. I also start a second MA position on Monday at a hospital clinic! :D I'm off to nursing school in the fall! Woohoo!!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse.

Collections agent for business accounts. And a Skip tracer. Thus the reason that I went into nursing school. I told myself I would never do it again. Although, on bad days...I know where I can fall to.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
Collections agent for business accounts. And a Skip tracer. Thus the reason that I went into nursing school. I told myself I would never do it again. Although, on bad days...I know where I can fall to.

What's a Skip Tracer?

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Worked in a department store embossing gold leaf initials on leather goods, sold wallets, belts, etc.

Waitress in a pie shop.

Stockgirl-salesgirl-assistant manager for trendy clothing retailer.

Graduated nursing school at 19!

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Wow! Lots of great replies. Keep them coming.

Vet techs, wedding singers, and groundskeepers...very interesting.

I remember Meryvns! :lol2:

eriksoln: A skip tracer is the person who locates a customer in default by calling relatives, employers, and searching public records.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.

Nanny for 3 children, state-certified forensics judge (it's high school competitive public speaking-- not anything related to dead bodies like most people think!), waitress/hostess at an upscale Chinese restaurant, store manager of a vintage clothing store, estate sale worker, bartender at a dive-bar, sales associate/assistant manager of a children's clothing store, and now an extern/nurse tech on a trauma floor. And let's not forget perpetual student; previous majors before switching to nursing included business, art history, and studio art.

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