What was your 1st Nursing related job?

[suki616]

Can you all tell me what your first nurse related job was?

If this was before school, during school or after school?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my foot in the door..

someone once mentioned to me being a unit secretary or perhaps a prn, cna? not sure....

Thanx

[TracyB,RN, RN]

My very first job at 16, was weekend receptionist at a nursing home. I also filled in during the summer for vacations. Then I went to work at a different nrsg home in dietary, then activities, then a CNA.

[misti_z]

During nursing school, after the first year I worked as a nurse technician. Best thing for my career I could have ever done. I worked with a nurse, did assessments, charting, pulled up meds as he/she checked them off, did procedures (foley, lab draws, NGTs, etc) with his/her supervision. It was wonderful. You should see if a hospital-especially the one you want to work at after graduation-offers this wonderful program.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Nurses Aide while I was in Fundamentals of Nursing in College. Before that I had been a student in a diploma program, but had to repeat fundamentals in the University program. It was at a Catholic Hospital and I was terrified the whole time.

[lkushen]

While in school, I worked night shift in the admitting department for one year - was already employed by the hospital and made it nice to only have to request a transfer into nursing versus the three month wait to be hired (no, it's not that long today). Also allowed me to learn some things about the hospital - layout, non-nursing policies, phone system, computer system, personnel, etc. - before taking on the nursing role. Also did some clinicals at this hospital, and it was nice knowing my way around.

[CEN35]

emt-a or (b) training with 3 months as an er volunteer!

me :)

[nursesteph]

Geez, I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a little kid (4)_ but my first job sucked, bad, this was in the 80's when everyone was in restraints. I was a CNA, hated it, went back to food & bar, then did various secretarial & helper jobs, Easter Seals & a shelter for battered women & children. I am a caregiver, just am. So I took yet another CNA job, started nsg. school @ 30 & graduated at 33, it's the only thing I'm good at. I also had 2 kids in there, at 19 & 22, and they're great kids, must have done something right. They're now 14 & 11 & incredibly beautiful & smart, too weird.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Did the candystriper thing when I was 14 (way back in the 70's). Was a nursing assistant, unit clerk and while in school, did medical transcription. Was always attracted by total chaos, so of course, I'm an ER nurse.

[CindyJRN]

Graduate Practical Nurse at age 19. Didn't even know there was RN, LPN, etc. before starting nursing school. Nurse was a Nurse, ya know! In my older age, when people ask me if I should do volunteer work or any CNA/LPN work before RN school, I say yes. I know many of you may disagree, but I love the hands on work and think it gives people great insight.:chuckle :chuckle

[Paprikat]

Prior to Nursing, I graduated from the Health Records Aministrator course. Just couldn't find a job, so I went back to school. Ten years later, I see tonnes of HRA jobs, just to bad I forget how to code and abstract...!

[CATHYW]

My first Nursing-related job was a graduate Practical Nurse in my own GP's office. The first day I worked was early in February, during flu season. We saw 67 patients that first day-everyone was surprised when I came back the next day! Not me-I was so dumb I figured that was what ALL of the days would be like! LOL!