Where do I begin? I am 42 and have a good paying job as a letter carrier.
The only problem, I absolutely hate being a letter carrier. The weather is far to challenging and I spend every day virtually alone. There is very little human contact. The hardest part is that the job is absolutely mind numbingly boring.
That is why a year ago I thought about becoming a nurse. I started attending evening classes and have completed all of the science pre reqs with a 3.65 GPA.
Because I already have a BS in Bus. Admin I was eligible to apply to the Accelerated BS to BSN program at Seton Hall. This was all good while I was dreaming but now the time to decide as arrived. I received my letter of acceptance and classes start in Sept. The problem is I have to quit my job at the Post Office in order to attend. Needless to say, I'm having the am I making the right decision jitters. I am not concerned with the classroom work too much, although I know it will be hard I think I can overcome it. What really has me worried (and I guess I'm the only one cause I haven't seen any other posts about it) is do you get use to dealing with naked strangers? I don't have any point of reference for this in my life. I can't imagine I would be the only person who would think of this as potentially embarrassing. Do you get use to inserting catheters? I would hate to go from a boring job to an embarrassing job. Help:imbar
I'm still not totally used to it, but I just finished nursing school. Women don't bother me nearly so much as men, but really, I just adopt sort of a business like attitude and get what needs to be done, done. Not in a hurried, I'm-not-going-to-speak-to-you-while-I-do-this sort of manner, but in a friendly, if-I-talk-to-you-neither-of-us-will-notice-you're-naked sort of way. :chuckle Well, really, I don't find it that bad, but I do find just acting like the person isn't even naked works. They know you're used to seeing it all the time anyway for the most part.
hehe, one thing I do notice though is I end up comparing a lot. Esp with men and member size. Some people say they're all the same, but man, every person down there, man or woman looks different to me, and it's just interesting to compare sometimes. :chuckle I always find myself wondering when I'm gonna find a man that beats my fiance in size. :chuckle
I'm still not totally used to it, but I just finished nursing school. Women don't bother me nearly so much as men, but really, I just adopt sort of a business like attitude and get what needs to be done, done. Not in a hurried, I'm-not-going-to-speak-to-you-while-I-do-this sort of manner, but in a friendly, if-I-talk-to-you-neither-of-us-will-notice-you're-naked sort of way. :chuckle Well, really, I don't find it that bad, but I do find just acting like the person isn't even naked works. They know you're used to seeing it all the time anyway for the most part.
hehe, one thing I do notice though is I end up comparing a lot. Esp with men and member size. Some people say they're all the same, but man, every person down there, man or woman looks different to me, and it's just interesting to compare sometimes. :chuckle I always find myself wondering when I'm gonna find a man that beats my fiance in size. :chuckle
And who was it that said we were all created equal :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I didn't/don't have a problem with it. Even my first experience bathing a patient I didn't feel uncomfortable--just kept her covered up until it came time to clean certain parts. I was more afraid of hurting the patient but another RN told me that 'they won't break'. Now when I'm giving baths or whatever, I'll just talk to the patient about something or another, totally off the subject of me manipulating their privates ! :chuckle
I didn't/don't have a problem with it. Even my first experience bathing a patient I didn't feel uncomfortable--just kept her covered up until it came time to clean certain parts. I was more afraid of hurting the patient but another RN told me that 'they won't break'. Now when I'm giving baths or whatever, I'll just talk to the patient about something or another, totally off the subject of me manipulating their privates ! :chuckle
What if their privates are Generals :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
I didn't/don't have a problem with it. Even my first experience bathing a patient I didn't feel uncomfortable--just kept her covered up until it came time to clean certain parts. I was more afraid of hurting the patient but another RN told me that 'they won't break'. Now when I'm giving baths or whatever, I'll just talk to the patient about something or another, totally off the subject of me manipulating their privates ! :chuckle
What if their privates are Generals :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Think the toughest part for me will be causing another pain (tough needle sticks, cath's, etc.). And doing so to babies and children will definitely ratch it up several notches.
Would love to hear experienced folks' suggestions on how to most successfully get over my little preoccupation about the above. Know I'll be fine when the time comes, but help me make it easier. Thanks!
When I first started in the ED, :chair: I had 'the fear' w/kids and babies until I saw an absolutely wonderful nurse take the IV stick fear away for a 5 year old dehydrated boy. She gave him an un-needled 22g IV cath to look at, play with, and investigate. She said 'I'm not going to lie to you, it's going to pinch and it's ok if you cry. But if you work with me I'll only have to do this once'.
Of course he yelped a little bit, but he knew exactly what was coming and he took it well. In a few minutes he stopped complaining about the dressing and tape once the fluids got going for him, and he started feeling better. It's a lesson I'll never forget. She's a great nurse and absolutely a treasure to work with.
This gave me a lot of confidence and insight into dealing with youngsters. You do what you can to minimize discomfort and then explain why it's necessary.
It doesn't have to be a kid, either; trying to find a vein on someone who's 88 or 98 for that matter can be a difficult thing to do, and after repeated attempts, well, you just feel sorry for the pt b/c you feel as if you're torturing them. However, you also realize that having access to give them medication/hydration/testing purposes is why you're there, and you do your best.
As far as the nudity goes, in the ED you just get used to it. Sure we get the ones who want to 'impress' you with the "Big Thunder" but after a while it's really a case of 'seen one, seen 'em all'. If "Big Thunder" can fetch me a cup of coffee, well, then I'm impressed; otherwise, :stone
One thing that I have really never gotten used to is the boob jobs on women in their 50's&60's. I mean, it just looks weird when you're putting heart monitor stickers on! But it makes the job easier :chuckle since you don't have to move 'em out of the way
And Tom, I'm with you. I'll take naked friends over naked strangers any time.
Think the toughest part for me will be causing another pain (tough needle sticks, cath's, etc.). And doing so to babies and children will definitely ratch it up several notches.
Would love to hear experienced folks' suggestions on how to most successfully get over my little preoccupation about the above. Know I'll be fine when the time comes, but help me make it easier. Thanks!
When I first started in the ED, :chair: I had 'the fear' w/kids and babies until I saw an absolutely wonderful nurse take the IV stick fear away for a 5 year old dehydrated boy. She gave him an un-needled 22g IV cath to look at, play with, and investigate. She said 'I'm not going to lie to you, it's going to pinch and it's ok if you cry. But if you work with me I'll only have to do this once'.
Of course he yelped a little bit, but he knew exactly what was coming and he took it well. In a few minutes he stopped complaining about the dressing and tape once the fluids got going for him, and he started feeling better. It's a lesson I'll never forget. She's a great nurse and absolutely a treasure to work with.
This gave me a lot of confidence and insight into dealing with youngsters. You do what you can to minimize discomfort and then explain why it's necessary.
It doesn't have to be a kid, either; trying to find a vein on someone who's 88 or 98 for that matter can be a difficult thing to do, and after repeated attempts, well, you just feel sorry for the pt b/c you feel as if you're torturing them. However, you also realize that having access to give them medication/hydration/testing purposes is why you're there, and you do your best.
As far as the nudity goes, in the ED you just get used to it. Sure we get the ones who want to 'impress' you with the "Big Thunder" but after a while it's really a case of 'seen one, seen 'em all'. If "Big Thunder" can fetch me a cup of coffee, well, then I'm impressed; otherwise, :stone
One thing that I have really never gotten used to is the boob jobs on women in their 50's&60's. I mean, it just looks weird when you're putting heart monitor stickers on! But it makes the job easier :chuckle since you don't have to move 'em out of the way
And Tom, I'm with you. I'll take naked friends over naked strangers any time.
One thing that I have really never gotten used to is the boob jobs on women in their 50's&60's. I mean, it just looks weird when you're putting heart monitor stickers on! But it makes the job easier :chuckle since you don't have to move 'em out of the way
Boob jobs on 50/60 year olds? Does that mean they're more firm and they don't sag so much or something? Or do they end up sagging more?
One thing that I have really never gotten used to is the boob jobs on women in their 50's&60's. I mean, it just looks weird when you're putting heart monitor stickers on! But it makes the job easier :chuckle since you don't have to move 'em out of the way
Boob jobs on 50/60 year olds? Does that mean they're more firm and they don't sag so much or something? Or do they end up sagging more?
Boob jobs on 50/60 year olds? Does that mean they're more firm and they don't sag so much or something? Or do they end up sagging more?
Hey! Now there's the only good reason I've heard of for having a boob job! Bring those puppies back up front where they belong and return to a A,B,C,D,DD cup as before instead of those darn "long cups"!
I once saw what I call a negative member...at first I thought the patient didn't HAVE one. :chuckle
mushberry
51 Posts
I'm still not totally used to it, but I just finished nursing school. Women don't bother me nearly so much as men, but really, I just adopt sort of a business like attitude and get what needs to be done, done. Not in a hurried, I'm-not-going-to-speak-to-you-while-I-do-this sort of manner, but in a friendly, if-I-talk-to-you-neither-of-us-will-notice-you're-naked sort of way. :chuckle Well, really, I don't find it that bad, but I do find just acting like the person isn't even naked works. They know you're used to seeing it all the time anyway for the most part.
hehe, one thing I do notice though is I end up comparing a lot. Esp with men and member size. Some people say they're all the same, but man, every person down there, man or woman looks different to me, and it's just interesting to compare sometimes. :chuckle I always find myself wondering when I'm gonna find a man that beats my fiance in size. :chuckle