I'm considering a career in nursing. I'm a good student so I'm sure I can make the grades, I like people and I have a strong stomach.
I have done a lot of research and think I have what it takes to be a nurse but I am worried because I'm a little shy and not yet comfortable with nudity. I think I would learn to be comfortable but I just don't have much experience with nudity. Especially male nudity. I'm not a prude or anything and I think I will get used to it but I heard stories about men showing their erections to get a reaction from nurses. If a man showed his erection in the park he would get arrested can they really get away with doing that in a hospital?
I used to be extremely shy, too. Now when I tell people that, or that I am still shy, they laugh and don't believe me. You get over it because you'll have to.
I tell people I work with about how introverted I was before I started working with all the crazies (my current co-workers) and they all think I'm lying to them.
Before I started nursing school I had seen a grand total of four memberes...my brother's when he was a baby (he's 13 yrs younger than I am so I did a lot of diaper duty), my hubby's, my step-son's, and my son's. I joke that I now see more memberes in a week than a moderately successful prostitute.
Just for entertainment, to illustrate how naive I was:
Several hours after my son was born, my hubby found me holding him and near hysterical. When he asked what was wrong, I sobbingly told him that there was something wrong with our baby's member. He was obviously instantly concerned and wanted to know what the doc and nurses said the problem was. I told him no one had said anything, they were all acting like nothing was wrong but it was obvious that it wasn't shaped right. He demanded to see what I was talking about and almost died laughing...it was our son's foreskin. I had never seen an uncircumsized member before and had no idea what one looked like.
i think working as a cna offers invaluable experience and gives you the opportunity to see first-hand if it's something you could handle.
honestly, most patients are way more uncomfortable with the fact that you have to see/touch their genitals than you will ever be by having to do it. there is really nothing sexual about it AT ALL - it's typically a very ill and/or hurt person who simply can't do these things for themselves.
my biggest fear about becoming a nurse was not being able to stomach bowel movements which is why i thought being a CNA first would be a good idea. i quickly realized that i CAN deal with it and it's very easy - not at all what i expected. it's something to consider. good luck.
Thank you.I wasn't familiar with the term CNA but I was wondering if I could do some kind of internship.
I tell people I work with about how introverted I was before I started working with all the crazies (my current co-workers) and they all think I'm lying to them.
Before I started nursing school I had seen a grand total of four memberes...my brother's when he was a baby (he's 13 yrs younger than I am so I did a lot of diaper duty), my hubby's, my step-son's, and my son's. I joke that I now see more memberes in a week than a moderately successful prostitute.
Just for entertainment, to illustrate how naive I was:
Several hours after my son was born, my hubby found me holding him and near hysterical. When he asked what was wrong, I sobbingly told him that there was something wrong with our baby's member. He was obviously instantly concerned and wanted to know what the doc and nurses said the problem was. I told him no one had said anything, they were all acting like nothing was wrong but it was obvious that it wasn't shaped right. He demanded to see what I was talking about and almost died laughing...it was our son's foreskin. I had never seen an uncircumsized member before and had no idea what one looked like.
It took me years to live that one down.
Thank you for the honest and personal story. Your total of four is more than me but I get your point! I am definitely concerned about my reaction to the first few I see but I KNOW I'll get over that its more the situations where I get caught by surprise or not in control that worry me.
I know I sound like a prude but really I'm not! To be honest, on some level I'm curious to see and learn (is it bad to admit that?)
It' very encouraging to hear that this line of work "cured" your shyness.
Google something like "catheter insertion" or "genital warts" (although that last one is gross) and look for pictures to try and start desensitizing yourself. Once you are in that role, the first few might be a shock but you do get used to it, and it honestly becomes no big deal. Before nursing, I could count on one hand the number I had seen too.
As far as your future boyfriends/husbands, most guys would realize that there is absolutely nothing sexual about a nurse caring for a patient. If you happen to find that yours has a problem with this, you may have to guage whether or not you want to deal with someone with that strong an insecurity. Personally, for me, it would be a huge red flag and would be a really good reason for me to move on from the relationship.
ETA: Also wanted to say that although patients are occasionally inappropriate, you will seldom/never have to deal with erections and the things that come out of them, lol. In my experience, it happens, but it just is not common. If it was, I'd be looking for another place to work. If you work at a good place with good co-workers, and a patient is sexually inappropriate with you, you should be able to request a different assignment or at least have someone else in the room with you when you have to deal with them (might be different in a long term care situation, I am speaking of a hospital floor setting).
I heard about shadow programs where I can get some experience while still in high school. This sounds like a great way to try things out before committing completely to the profession. Does anyone have any experience with these programs? Are they offered in California?
I'm considering a career in nursing. I'm a good student so I'm sure I can make the grades, I like people and I have a strong stomach.
I have done a lot of research and think I have what it takes to be a nurse but I am worried because I'm a little shy and not yet comfortable with nudity. I think I would learn to be comfortable but I just don't have much experience with nudity. Especially male nudity. I'm not a prude or anything and I think I will get used to it but I heard stories about men showing their erections to get a reaction from nurses. If a man showed his erection in the park he would get arrested can they really get away with doing that in a hospital?
Sorry for the kinda weird question.
You get used to it. Maybe not even by the end of your schooling but after working as a nurse or cna for 1 month or so you get used to it fast. You have to otherwise how will you deal with putting in foley's, changing incontinent patinets, straight caths, etc..........The above scenario is not a common occurance where I work but people get by with all sorts of things in the hospital that wouldn't fly in the outside world. A common occurance is patients who can not toilet themselves as soon as they come into the hospital but prior to that they were able to do so. I am sure other memebers can testify on my behalf on that... it is very strange phenomenon
Perpetual Student
682 Posts
I initially had such concerns. I'm super shy in my personal life, but when I put on my nurse hat (figuratively) it melts away.