I first wrote this the other day when I was a little less coherent. Thankfully I had the sense to put off posting a few days til I counted to 100.

I have a few gripes with my program and nursing in general. In no particular order:

Why do we write so much? I ask because I am about to flunk out over a book report due Friday. I have 3 pages and she's asking for 10-12. So far in three clinicals I haven't seen more than a few incomprehensible scribbles on a nurse's notes page, or some computerized Y/N charts. In perfect APA format too please. In spite of the fact we have no APA training other than class essay writing (the sink or swim method of teaching). They said last year there wasn't a large enough groups to justify giving a dedicated course in APA composition writing for the nursing students. And yet a single essay is worth up to 30% in one of our courses. If it's important enough to fail a student, it's important enough to teach properly. Trouble is, no two instructors will come up with the same answer to an APA format inquiry.

Teaching. Is there such a thing as a genuine nurse educator, or are they all just laying claim to a title they have no expressed qualifications for? Just because I know how a gas turbine works doesn't mean I can call myself an engineer does it? Out of perhaps 2 dozen instructors at my school, I would give a passing grade to maybe 3. The rest in my opinion could not give a decent lecture if their lives depended on it.

I came into this because I wanted to help people. I find that people don't necessarily want my help. I'm a mature male student, and the degree to which patients will discriminate against me is rediculous. I though we were past this as a society. I'm in maternity now, and haven't done a full assessment yet. Because as soon as they see a male they cover up and my nurse mentor asks me to leave the room. Sorry, but this is 100% bs. If I were a doctor would they react the same way? I'm sure if I was a FEMALE doctor, I wouldn't be sitting here typing this right now. Here's a tip for males thinking about the profession. Just because you have no hangups about gender, don't expect your patients and fellow nurses to be as enlightened.

Rants feel good. I had more, but I seem to have forgotten.

Oh, I just remembered. Don't accept more students than you can place adequately. I was on a waiting list to get in, and if they had followed that advice, I would not be typing this. But the fact is, clinicals that don't reflect classroom training are close to useless. I take what I can from any situation, but I have my limits too.

There is a reason for everything you do in school. While much of it may seem like BS to you, it's designed to see how determined, how dedicated and how much you want nursing. How much you are willing to do to get to your RN.

Have you talked to other students? Do they feel the same way? Have you asked for help? I often hear studnets complain, but they've never once asked for help. If you have, is there someone you can go to for guidance?

This is only temporary, you have to put up with BS for 2 years then learn the way the hospital you work at wants things done.

Please don't assume ppl don't want a male nurse. I was talking to a friend who was in the hospital and she has a male nurse that she loved...it's was in L&D. One thing you have to remember, when a woman is having a baby, she dosn't want to be touched by ANYONE:chuckle

As a woman, I deal with my fair share of discrimination....you just learn to move on and ignore it. It's part of everyday life for just about everyone. You maybe a little oversensitive to it right now.

You;ll find an area of nursing you love....I hope you feel better...Good luck to you.

Ah, APA format. I got that beaten into my head when I got my bachelors in psych. Go out & get a good APA style manual. There are several out there. There's even one called "The World's Easiest Guide to Using the APA" Now, I don't know if that is an accurate claim since I've never read it, but it may be worth a shot. Once you get the style down, you'll be able to crank out those papers in a snap.

Hang in there...and vent away! Venting always seems to make me feel better too! :kiss

HI there,

Feel free to gripe! I know it makes me feel better to do it on this mb than to people in my program.

Writing APA papers isn't that bad. It is a lot better than MLA ( i think) However, I do understand that it can be tricky. Here is a great website that puts it in easy terms. I love it! (as much as one can love an APA website )

http://webster.commnet.edu/apa/apa_index.htm

:chuckle

What is your paper on? Maybe one of us can give you ideas?!?

Good luck

Originally posted by epg_pei

...I find that people don't necessarily want my help. I'm a mature male student, and the degree to which patients will discriminate against me is rediculous....

I'm a future RN (I hope) and, as a guy, I'm interested in this part of your rant. My wife is an RN and the only person in her group who wears a lab coat instead of scrubs. She makes a real effort to look professional and tells me that she gets much more respect and cooperation from the pts than the other nurses. Since nurses no longer wear uniforms are you going the scrubs route or the lab coat route? I'm guessing we (guys) just have to go the extra mile in this regard and maybe showing up dressed "like you're headed to the office" will help. Just a thought, but I'm already resigned to the fact that I'll need to be better (and look better) just to be accepted.

ppl will not be impressed by how nice you look. they will be impressed by the good care and competent work you do.

Scrubs are pratical. I could not imagine having to work in that enviorment in a dress, slacks, etc. besides, many times scrubs are semi fluid resistant, I wouldn't want anything soaking through my clothes!

Just do your work to the best of your ability. Like i've said, woman have been dealing with discrimination forever. You do will leave a good mark if you give the best care you can.

Originally posted by Ned the Red

Since nurses no longer wear uniforms are you going the scrubs route or the lab coat route?

Actually, I've been doing the scrubs thing, everyone else aorund here does it, even the docs. But lab coats do give an impression, plus extra pockets for large gloves. Good idea.

Originally posted by GottaBeanRN

What is your paper on? Maybe one of us can give you ideas?!?

Good luck

As far as I can tell it's a book report. I am to compare and contrast two books which describe the life experiences of two individuals affected by chronic conditions. I must discuss the implications for the individual, families, and nurses. It's not really a difficult report, for someone who knows how to write reports. The problem is that I don't. I never learned how to, even in the English course I took last year (introduction to short stories, perfect for nursing students eh...I had no choice, it was all they had). If I survive this experience I will definitely be looking for some help to improve my writing skills.

I HEAR YA' on the APA issue. You have my deepest sympathies. We also have plenty of papers that have to be in perfect APA format. The problem is.......the instructors DON"T KNOW perfect APA format:rolleyes: . Depending on who grades your paper you get points taken off for different things, even if you went by the APA manual. ( I have a good one and use it often!)

I also understand your frustration with not getting enough clinical experience due to being male. We have a male student in our clinical group who is having a similar problem. We are in a nursng home this semester, with primarily female residents, and most of them do not want him working with them. He stands around in the halls alot, trying to find a patient to help with.

All I can say is, HANG IN THERE....Nursing school is a lesson in handling frustrations. But in the end, it will be worth it.

I believe once you are a nurse, and not a student, female patients will be more comfortable with you.

Originally posted by iliel

ppl will not be impressed by how nice you look. they will be impressed by the good care and competent work you do.

In a perfect world that would be the case. But, wearing the scrubs with a lab coat over the top might not be a bad idea. I guess I'll find out if I can ever get the final pre req out of the way and actually get IN to nursing school! HA!

Originally posted by Ned the Red

In a perfect world that would be the case. But, wearing the scrubs with a lab coat over the top might not be a bad idea. I guess I'll find out if I can ever get the final pre req out of the way and actually get IN to nursing school! HA!

ah..I see, I thought you were talking about a pair of slacks and shirt. I think a lab jacket would work. of course talk to the hospital and see if they have any suggestions.

I must admit, my sympathy dosn't run too deep when I hear men complain about discrimination in the work place. Not a nice thing to admit, but, I will try to be a little more understanding. I also don't think there are too many ppl out there who think it's a big deal to have a male nurse. It's just the ones who do really stand out.

Was talking to my wife (the RN in the family) about this thread and she agrees. She's always worn a lab coat and believes it makes a big difference in people's perception of her. She reminded me of the story of when she was in the hospital giving birth to one of our kids. People in scrubs kept coming in every twenty minutes or so to check her progress. At one point a man in scrubs walked in, she pulled the sheets and her gown up and spread her legs. The guy about fell over - he was from housekeeping. So, it's important that he pts be able to identify you as a professional and differentiate you from the rest of the cast on the floor.

Try it out and let us know if you see any difference..

Originally posted by Ned the Red

In a perfect world that would be the case. But, wearing the scrubs with a lab coat over the top might not be a bad idea. I guess I'll find out if I can ever get the final pre req out of the way and actually get IN to nursing school! HA!

Depending where we are we aren't even allowed to wear our white lab coat. They say the patients tend to get confused and may think we're physicians. If I was allowed to wear it at the hospital, I would. I do feel like I am taken more seriously by patients when I'm wearing it. Just a thought.