[ltmja]

I was just wondering how many gentlemen out there chose nursing as their first profession? I just graduated in May and in my nursing program of 85 people, there were eight men. All of them, but one chose nursing as a second career. I was just always wondering why not more wanting to be nurses as their first career? What changed your mind? Have you always wanted to be a nurse, if so why not your first career chose? Thanks, I have just always wondered-Laura

[Conrad283]

I started out as an engineering major, but switched over, so this would be my first career* (I have been working as a unit clerk for 6+ years, so I put the *). I got into it because of my family (mom - MSN, dad - board certified physician, wife - BSN).

[58flyer]

Hi Laura. Congratulations on your recent graduation.

I started out with nursing as my first career choice. Even got accepted and enrolled in the nursing program at the local community college. But in the mid '70's the guys were not very welcome in the nursing field so I dropped out, continued my education but changed to Law Enforcement and I am now in my 30th year of that. Right now I am enjoying my second LE career but at some point I will reconsider nursing when the time is right.

You asked, what changed my mind? The nursing instructors. We had a class of 48 of which 2 of us were male. The other guy was a friend of mine from high school, so we knew each other. Very early in the program we were both called into an office and told this was not a good choice of careers for men. We were also told that we would never be allowed to work with female patients or peds. In school we would not be allowed to do practice assessments on female students but we would be the class guinea pigs for for the girls to assess us and do other things. That bothered me for reasons I will not go into here so I dropped from the program. The other guy's father was a lawyer and some well worded letters to the school administration smoothed the road for him. I last saw him at our 20 year HS class reunion and he was still at it, nursing that is.

[juniedpogi]

I have a degree in eng'g. but my second choice in college was accounting or nursing, during my 3rd yr. in eng'g., I almost shifted to nursing but I didn't...after 13 yrs of engineering practice, I took up nursing and now I'm a registered nurse and planning to be the best I could be as a nurse.
Just like that, life is short...live your life to the fullest, be what you want to be, enjoy life, God is good, good is life.

[Spyral]

Nursing is a sort of a first choice of career for me. I actually started taking heavy science courses to get into veterinary school but I started working as a nurse's aide and I fell in love with nursing. I lucked out because most of the science pre-reqs that I needed to get into the Nursing program were already done. I love animals and always wanted to help them, but I think sub-unconsciously I realized I could never put an animal down. A puppy or kitten can't tell you "Hey I feel pain here!" like a human can. I have ultra respect to all veterinarians out there because they have one of the hardest jobs in the medical field. But anyway, Nursing is just for me and will always be forever. And at the Ripe old age of 20 I think I made the right choice.

PS..... It's not for the money either. I get a natural high from making my patients laugh or getting them out of bed when they feel down. For people who are going into nursing for the money, I would not want you taking care of my family. Please realize nursing is customer service, just like retail. You must please people and take their ********, but it should also make you happy. A true nurse, like the ones who I work with(25 plus years in) will have a natural knack for people and will get a natural euphoria from getting them well and sending them home. Please think about that before entering nursing 101.

Good luck to all!!!!

:0

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by ltmja

I was just wondering how many gentlemen out there chose nursing as their first profession? I just graduated in May and in my nursing program of 85 people, there were eight men. All of them, but one chose nursing as a second career. I was just always wondering why not more wanting to be nurses as their first career? What changed your mind? Have you always wanted to be a nurse, if so why not your first career chose? Thanks, I have just always wondered-Laura

Hi Laura,

I'm currently studying to become a nurse. But before, I was working as a software engineer, web developer, IT security specialist, and online marketer. I finally switched to nursing because I really got bored with my jobs. I need a more dynamic (I work better under stress) job where I could get closer to people and actually help them. So far so good!

[Perpetual Student]

My very first formal job was as a nurse. I do not anticipate ever switching to a different career field.

[cityhawk]

Originally Posted by Spyral

Nursing is a sort of a first choice of career for me. I actually started taking heavy science courses to get into veterinary school but I started working as a nurse's aide and I fell in love with nursing. I lucked out because most of the science pre-reqs that I needed to get into the Nursing program were already done. I love animals and always wanted to help them, but I think sub-unconsciously I realized I could never put an animal down. A puppy or kitten can't tell you "Hey I feel pain here!" like a human can. I have ultra respect to all veterinarians out there because they have one of the hardest jobs in the medical field. But anyway, Nursing is just for me and will always be forever. And at the Ripe old age of 20 I think I made the right choice.

PS..... It's not for the money either. I get a natural high from making my patients laugh or getting them out of bed when they feel down. For people who are going into nursing for the money, I would not want you taking care of my family. Please realize nursing is customer service, just like retail. You must please people and take their ********, but it should also make you happy. A true nurse, like the ones who I work with(25 plus years in) will have a natural knack for people and will get a natural euphoria from getting them well and sending them home. Please think about that before entering nursing 101.

Good luck to all!!!!

:0

Good points. I didn't go into it for the money, though the fact that there was enough money in it to support myself (I hope) was a prerequisite. I'm still working as a PCA (aide) while finishing nursing school, and I do get the kind of euphoria you talk about. I'm tickled pink when I see cards patients or their families thanking the nursing staff for care and seeing my name mentioned (or my gender mentioned... as in "ladies and gentlemen of the nursing staff" or some such thing... since I'm the only male among the nurses and PCA's on the floor).

In answer to the OP's question, I have been a software engineer for the past 20 years or so. I just always wanted to do something for work where its value to society wasn't so abstract. Nursing presented itself as an option after talking to nurses I know. I knew I'd like it, but I didn't know how much I would love it until I got started.

[raemon]

my first choice in college is nursing, and now im a registered nurse. and planning to marry a us citizen nurse also to make money and live happily ever after...
any girls out there?

[kiser56]

I have a BS in biology and a secondary education degree, but my next degree was a BSN. Nursing was my first professional career though.