African Amercan male Nurse. UAB School of Nursing

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

Hello everyone! Just a few weeks ago I received my acceptance letter from UAB's SON! Iwas just wondering if anyone had any tips for success!
BTW, i'm 19 YO.

Congrats! My first 'tip' is not what you expect, though....it's to change your User Name! The Terms of Service for this site (and the LAW in most States in the US) is that no one may use the word 'Nurse' to describe himself or herself unless one holds a license as an RN or an LPN. Since you are not yet a student, it's fair to say you aren't yet a nurse

Now once you've done that, you can take a look at the top of this page, on the yellow banner, and see the word "Students". Click that, and a world of great forums will open up to you: Pre-Nursing, Nursing Student, etc etc. TONS of great information for you to find, and participate in.

There is a Male Nursing Forum that may be of benefit to you, too....and there are LOTS of males here (hi guys!) However, I think you will find that most people would discourage you from describing yourself by color. Nursing school won't care, and it's not worth redirecting focus, as how good a nurse you become will not be impacted by color.

Good luck in your studies! :)

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

UAB is a great school! Congrats! I hope you do well in your studies. (UAB is in Alabama. It is common in Alabama and some other parts of the deep south to refer to oneself as African American; this young man meant nothing at all by describing himself as such~ it comes with the territory. I was born and raised in Alabama, and like I said, it is just common speech there.)

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

UAB is a great school! Congrats! I hope you do well in your studies. (UAB is in Alabama. It is common in Alabama and some other parts of the deep south to refer to oneself as African American; this young man meant nothing at all by describing himself as such~ it comes with the territory. I was born and raised in Alabama, and like I said, it is just common speech there.)

Ah, gotcha. I didn't think it was anything negative, to be sure, just that sometimes when people make references that unnecessarily draw attention, it doesn't help.

For instance, sometimes a male will say "I'm a male nurse" or "how can I get hired as a male nurse". Well, we accept that he's a nurse, the fact that he's male is either obvious or unnecessary to the discussion...or both, LOL.

Anyway, just thought that might be helpful.

and....Roll Tide!