by algebra_demystified

Took another shot to the goolies tonight. A regular patient of mine, an ex-nurse, now in her 80s and fully demented, commented that I was "her boy" tonight and that she thought it was great that I was taking a "woman's job."

At the end of my shift I hopped back in my girlfriend's purple VW bug with the standard flower vase built into the dash, re-scrunchied my ponytail, tucked my all-white nursing shoes under the seat, and drove home.

Sometimes my life is one long gay joke.

Most of the time I don't give a ****. I did a gnarly two hour dressing change on a patient's two square foot rotting leg, and was the only one willing to do the vacuum pump change.

The pt's wife bought me a Mickey D's yogurt as a surprise reward.

Come on, though. Please. Just punch me in the shoulder and tip me a couple bucks, I REALLY don't want a hug. I did the best dressing change this guy had ever seen, even talked his wife down off the ledge to keep her from holding his hand and giving him the doe-eye and asking him about his pain every three seconds (how about putting something on the TV and distracting him from me debriding three square feet of red meat on his leg?), and doing the patient some good?

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Haven't heard the word gnarly in a while.

As an aside, I hate being hugged too. What is funny is the female patients do it, and the female nurses always chuckle. At least guy patients understand a good ole handshake works.

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Originally Posted by algebra_demystified

A regular patient of mine, an ex-nurse, now in her 80s and fully demented,

ex-nurse? I thought we were like the marines or something, y'know... once a nurse...

The pt's wife bought me a Mickey D's yogurt as a surprise reward.

My own badge says "will nurse for food" on the back. Makes a handy sign. I hope you're not complaining

Come on, though. Please. Just punch me in the shoulder and tip me a couple bucks, I REALLY don't want a hug. I did the best dressing change this guy had ever seen, even talked his wife down off the ledge to keep her from holding his hand and giving him the doe-eye and asking him about his pain every three seconds (how about putting something on the TV and distracting him from me debriding three square feet of red meat on his leg?), and doing the patient some good?

Remember- only for you is it 'gnarly'. To her it's her little pookiebuttons has a great big ouchie and isn't that male nurse just sooooo brave. She's not used to sitting idly by, and either it sucks to feel so powerless or she feels disingenuous to not share in his pain.

Also, since I've already pooped in your oatmeal with this faux voice of reason bit, if she's so eager to 'be of help' it's a fine chance to educate her on what she actually can do to help. And also a brief lecture on the bribery value of a big mac meal, y'know, if she's gonna make the trip either way..

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Being male and an RN, I prefer the slap on the back and a well done over a hug anyday........ Even better, a little note slipped to my boss stating how great I am.

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Originally Posted by PE-RN

Being male and an RN, I prefer the slap on the back and a well done over a hug anyday........ Even better, a little note slipped to my boss stating how great I am.

I am a female RN and I completely agree. A slap on the back and a thank you I will take over a hug anyday. Awkward. Guess I shouldnt be a nurse, I dont like to hug, lol.

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Historically speaking, the very first nurse was a man! It happened in the battlefield!
We are not doing the female work; we just "recaptured" it!

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

I recently forbad a patient who was chatting with me in the Kitchen/pantry not to hug me, for fear that my coworkers would see me and get the wrong idea. This patient was very labile and possibly borderline bipolar. So, I thought it in my best interest not to receive her hug.

Now, on the other hand. I had a patient who was terminal with pancreatic cancer give me the sweetest hug; long and gentle before she got on the gurney to head off to hospice. So I'm the biggest hypocrite, don't you think!

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

CaLLaCoDe, not a hypocrite, just a realist. I don't prefer to hug, but when a patient of mine finally succumbed after taking care of her for several shifts, her husband was very emotional. I went in to offer my time and he insisted on the manly hug. More of a slap on the back while facing each other. Didn't mind it a bit. I liked the family and they were good people. Occasionally it's not a bad thing.

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

I'm a male nurse and I like to hug...maybe I am gay...hmmmm Guess it's time to tell my wife of 10 years...lol.

I do like hugs but what I don't like is shoulder rubs...I sit at the charge nurse desk all day and I tend to get co-workers coming behind me to "rub me" because they think my job is stressful or something...I try to explain nicely that I'd rather they not do it and have explained in great detail to the worst offenders but I'm wondering if anyone else is like me?

The worst comment I get all the time is, "Are you going on to be a doctor?"....NO I'M NOT AND I DON'T WANT TO, IF I WANTED TO I WOULD HAVE GONE TO MEDICAL SCHOOL NOT NURSING SCHOOL!...grrr

Re: "I love it when a man takes a woman's job."

Originally Posted by Larry77

I do like hugs but what I don't like is shoulder rubs...I sit at the charge nurse desk all day and I tend to get co-workers coming behind me to "rub me" because they think my job is stressful or something...I try to explain nicely that I'd rather they not do it and have explained in great detail to the worst offenders but I'm wondering if anyone else is like me?

I love when a female coworker touches my back. But rarely does this happen for reasons known. The other day the Pharmacist just touched my back below my collar and she's hot. Can't help it, I'm only human ;-0