[pw079]

Hello I am Senior (male) in High School, and here the jokes all the time when I mention nursing as my future occupation, and have always been interested in the medical field. I have shadowed MD's and RN's. Nursing right now is appealing to me because I want to be there taking care of people and not just coming in and diagnosing them then thats it. I would also like to pursue the NP route later on most likely. The ED and OR dept's are attracting me the most right now. I am currently in the interview process to get a job at a local hospital doing transport so i hope that that will give me more of an insight.

So please give me some advice and things I need to do THANKS

[krzysiu]

Well ultimately you have to ask yourself if it is something you would like to do. You have to do what is right for you and do something youd enjoy. I was a chemist in 2003 making $30K, went back and completed an accelerated BSN program. Its 2006, im an agency nurse, make 6 figures, needless to say my friends do not laugh anymore. I am currently applying to CRNA programs. If successful, enormous earning potential.... Bottom line is I make a good living and I know I did not sell a used car to someone that will blow up in a week. Im actually making a difference. I really enjoy it....

[WannaBeMaleRN]

Who cares what they think. Do what you want to do. In ten yrs. you will still be working and they will be flipping burgers. Do it. I was 22 and dropped out of Nursing 1, I am now 32 and going back and boy do I regret it. Good Luck.

[Thunderwolf]

Nursing is a wonderful field. Highly recommend it!
Best wishes to you.

[shodobe]

30 years and still going. I can't think of anything else that appeals to me. I make 6 figures where I work and do not have to travel to do it. Not too many people will laugh at you for what you can make. I work OR and if younger I would probably go the CRNA route also. Great bucks to be made in that area.

[11:11]

What kind of advice are you looking for? Scholastic? Inspiration? What....?

Do good in school, get good grades blah blah blah.

If you are already a senoir in highschool its too late to change anything youve done there. Ill assume youve taken some biology, chem, and are ok at math.

If not take a basic chem class this summer. Maybe some math too. Basic algebra helps.

Other than that, you cant really go wrong with a nursing education.

I doubt youll make a six figure income like my esteemed colleague but its possible with the right experience and agencies etc.

Bottom line is, nursing is a good profession. You will learn a lot about people, some things about yourself, and the medical industry.

And you can take that anywhere if you decide that nursing isnt for you in the future.

The profession has been good to me, and as Ive said before has opened up opportunites for me that I would have never had before even in the military.

Take care

11

[L.O.E.N.]

It's a bit strange at first though, I'll admit that. It's likely you'll be one of a very small group of men amongst a large group of women.... that can be both good and bad. I'm not single anymore, so picking up other students isn't a goal for me..... but that's one of the upsides, lotsa womenz/no competition. LOL It's worked to my advantage in the scholastic aspect too. If you pull high grades, the fact you are one of the only guys tends to bring attention from the instructors (also a double edged sword)... I've used that to get clinicals with people I want to shadow/work with (ie. anesthesiologists). But you do miss the "goofing off with the fellas" part.

As far as the job goes, it's great! You can basically work where ever you want, when ever you want, and make great money doing it. It's whatever you make of it.... so many different aspects/specialties pretty well ensure you'll find something you like. Plus you can travel nurse... vacations blended with work virtually anywhere you want to see. (some are more work than vacation, but the money rox!) Bonuses galore to be had at nearly any institution, benefits packages better than most people even dream of. Nursing will always be a good career move.

[ZASHAGALKA]

Originally Posted by 11:11

I doubt youll make a six figure income like my esteemed colleague but its possible with the right experience and agencies etc.

Bottom line is, nursing is a good profession. You will learn a lot about people, some things about yourself, and the medical industry.

Before too many years go by, it will be all too common to break the 100k threshold in nursing. Maybe not routinely by the time you finish school, but, I'd wager shortly thereafter.

Starting nursing salaries in several places already break the 20/hr barrier. Just a few yrs ago, that was more like 18. 13 yrs ago, for me, it was barely 13. Give it 10 more years and it will approach 30.

Before you are half way through a nursing career, you WILL pull down 6 figures consistently.

And, as you said, you will be 'at the bedside' and not have to worry about the incredible costs of 'maintaining' a practice, as docs do. Besides, while medicare and insurance companies continue to exert downward pressure on physician salaries, our 'shortage' of people willing to work in hospital environment has exerted nothing but upward pressure on nursing salaries.

And I just don't see gov't or private agencies doing much about it yet. It's not just a great job, it's a great time to get into it.

People make fun of what they don't understand. Aren't you the wise one for being 'in the know'. In reality, men are becoming nurses in more and more numbers everyday. Not so long ago, nursing couldn't support a family; it was only useful as a 'second income'. Not so anymore. It is that ability to be able to support a family in nursing that has broken the barrier of entry for men.

~faith,
Timothy.

[NurseguyFL]

PW,

Those people are your school are laughing because they are ignorant. Do not allow them to discourage you. IMO, nursing is a great career and also one in which you can make pretty good money after you've gained even just a couple years of experience.

The really cool thing about nursing is that you can go in any of hundreds of different directions within the profession, depending on what your interests are. You're still in high school so you're still very young. If after you've worked as an RN for a few years then decide you want to go to medical school, a lot of what you are going to see in the hospitals as a student physician will already be very familiar to you.

GO FOR IT!

[Tweety]

Guys like to pick on other guys, so ignore them.

I think you're on the right path. What you need to do is to talk to an admissions counselor at the college you want to attend. Or take a look at their website and see what their admissions policies area.

There are several ways to the RN but to be an NP you need a BSN. Good luck to you in all that you do. Feel free to ask any questions you have.