Any advice for a new male nurse ?

allergictoNPH · Jun 8, 2008

I just passed my NCLEX-PN, and I'm going to probably start working in about a month or so...Any advice you can give a new male nurse, maybe even things to expect...

Just believe in what you were taught, respect employer's policies, do the right things (ethics supercedes anything), don't mess around with 'em female nurses (gets you thrown out the door fast), follow the 5 drugs administration rules, pray to what you belief in and you will be good... GOODLUCK DUDE!!!

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Jun 9, 2008

All of the above.

Don't get involved in the cliques, gossip or backstabbing.

Go in with an open mind and be prepared to learn the "real world" way of doing things. Work on your time management while practicing safely.

Good luck, and welcome to the world of nursing!!

ssjonathan · Jun 9, 2008

So no messing around with the females ?

lol bummer, but I understand.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2008

So no messing around with the females ?
lol bummer, but I understand.

I dunno. I dated a nurse, once. It was fairly horrifying, in some respects, but that was long before I'd ever contemplated becoming a nurse, myself. I'm thinking that her and her friends' shoptalk wouldn't upset me nearly so much, now. I do find, though, even in myself, that it's sometimes hard to turn off your nursing instincts. So, in a social relationship, even with casual friends, you can sometimes find yourself being looked at like a patient. (When I was still in school, a cute, young female coworker in my unlicensed job complained of a pain in the side of her abdomen, and without thinking I immediately asked how long it had been since her last BM. Not a question I would have asked a casual acquaintance in my pre-nursing life.)

I'm too old and grumpy, now, to be looking for a girlfriend, but I don't think messing with female co-workers is altogether off-limits. A little innocent flirting can be fun, as long as you aren't offensive about it. It might be prudent to do any dating off your unit. But a healthy, young guy (or non-dead older one) is bound to meet some interesting women in a hospital environment. It's surely not a place to be a player, especially close to home, but that doesn't mean you have to be a monk.

Plus, you know, there are more and more female doctors...

I do endorse Steve's advice.

Gr8Dane · Jun 10, 2008

Bah the girls are free game but just don't forget you have to face them daily. And gossip is a keyword here, they love to talk, talk, talk.

I went on a few dates with a secretary, you learn more then you want to know, then you have to work w/ said person the next day! A bit uncomfortable. Leads to interesting problems to say the least.

sean5732 · Oct 1, 2008

Are you guys sure? On TV they all sleep together and break up and everything is fine. What world are you guys in?

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Oct 2, 2008

Are you guys sure? On TV they all sleep together and break up and everything is fine. What world are you guys in?

The real world, I imagine...chuckle.

TV is but a fantasy.

karenG · Oct 2, 2008

Are you guys sure? On TV they all sleep together and break up and everything is fine. What world are you guys in?

LOL

you date one of us and trust me... all the nurses will know everything about you fairly quickly. nurses (male and female) have the best grapevine in the world... look at this website for one thing!! and if you date one of us.. expect us to talk about you in intimate detail!!!

also.. nurses never have any money (at least the British ones dont) so we tend not to date other nurses... popular dates are police and firemen. actually anyone who can buy a meal is good!! but that may only apply to us Brits!

sean5732 · Oct 2, 2008

So, I can't or probably should not mess with the female nurses once I pass the NCLEX. Man, what did I go to nursing school for? I only did it because the clubs were getting old.

Holy Guiacamole, BSN · Oct 3, 2008

I just passed my NCLEX-PN, and I'm going to probably start working in about a month or so...Any advice you can give a new male nurse, maybe even things to expect...

Think about where you want to be 5 years from now and act on it. stay in school, advance your degree and realize you will have to take one for the team occasionally...but don't become the martyr or supernurse. Someone will always be ready to promote you to your greatest level of incompetence. Do not play to any of the stereotypes that plague us in this profession. Kudos! Steve said it best.