Guys, what do you like best about being a nurse?

Nurses Men

Published

I'm a career changer, so just trying to get an idea of what male nurses like about their job....

Funny, I'm also a second career RN. Also do not miss the drudgery, thought the 12 hour shifts are starting to wear on me. What I like most about nursing doesn't really revolve around gender: helping people, better schedule, mostly decent pay, etc .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Most of the above comments I agree with...

What - you don't like potato salad? :scrying:

Seriously - while it tends to sound trite, my biggest kick is the patients. As a former IT geek, that person-to-person interaction just wasn't there 99% of the time, and the other 1% was almost invariably hostile. In nursing, I tend to get much more positive interaction with people on all levels than I ever did in IT.

Of course, the professional flexibility of nursing doesn't hurt either - agree to work weekends, and the administrative staff LOVES you!

----- Dave

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

RN since '92 here. I've always loved the 12-hr shift and the long stretches of days off you can have in between. Did that as an RN at the bedside, went to NP school, started working Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM which ended up being 7:30AM-6PM in a salaried position, and hated it! Been back working as an NP (ICU) with 12-hr shifts since '04 and can't be happier. Love critical care patients especially gaining understanding of challenging physiologies, seeing amazing advanced technologies and new treatments tied to patient management. As an NP, glad to not have to be parked at the patient's bedside, being able to sit down and think through patient assessment and approaching plan of treatment, being able to do awesome procedures, yet not being the "top dog" physician intensivist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was in the med room with a male agency nurse a couple weeks ago and he asked me this question, probably because I was looking especially frazzled. (I'm not not a male nurse, btw). I told him I liked that I was always busy and the day goes by in the blink of an eye. So then I asked him what he liked best and he said "I've had some really hot patients.... even a few exotic dancers."

I was speechless and still feel a little creeped out by that. WRONG ANSWER. That guy was giving you all a bad name.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU.

2nd career here too. I spent 15 years in business before I left looking for more job security.

I found it and now I love critical care.

I like the challenge of figuring out what's going on with a patient and having the autonomy to order tests and act on those findings. I'm in SWAT/Rapid response and I'm covered by protocol orders to do so.

I'm also an adrenaline junkie, although I wasn't aware of it until I started working in the ICU. I like giving dangerous drugs to critically ill people (-as needed and with MD oversite). I get to do or assist with cool procedures. I like being the guy other nurses call when they need help.

The job isn't a calling for me either. I love that I leave it at the door at the end of the day.

For me the money is fine. 6 figures is doable with OT and a contingent job. You just have to be willing to work.

All in all I highly recommend it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
I was in the med room with a male agency nurse a couple weeks ago and he asked me this question, probably because I was looking especially frazzled. (I'm not not a male nurse, btw). I told him I liked that I was always busy and the day goes by in the blink of an eye. So then I asked him what he liked best and he said "I've had some really hot patients.... even a few exotic dancers."

I was speechless and still feel a little creeped out by that. WRONG ANSWER. That guy was giving you all a bad name.

As a female RN, my first thought was -- what sort of units does he work on and where can I get hot male patients?

Or even hot male doctors.

Or hot male transporters.

I'll take anything, guys.

/happily married btw ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

For me the money is fine. 6 figures is doable with OT and a contingent job. You just have to be willing to work.

Six figures WITHOUT OT is very doable. Just about all the staff nurses with 5-6 years experience in my hospital make well into the 6 figures. You just have to decide you want to do it and relocate to an area where six figures in standard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Six figures WITHOUT OT is very doable. Just about all the staff nurses with 5-6 years experience in my hospital make well into the 6 figures. You just have to decide you want to do it and relocate to an area where six figures in standard.

What's cost of living like where you're at? Seems like most six figure bedside nursing jobs are in areas of high cost of living. Which is awesome if you're single and/or dating and flexible with the housing and roommate situation....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
What's cost of living like where you're at? Seems like most six figure bedside nursing jobs are in areas of high cost of living. Which is awesome if you're single and/or dating and flexible with the housing and roommate situation....

Cost of living is very reasonable. I chose to live in the highest nurse pay as compaired to cost of living area in the country that I could find. I actually drive in to the city from a very rural area with a very low cost of living. It pays me to do so but the drive isn't for everybody.

The three highest nurse pay vs cost of living cities I found where Madison Wisconsin, Minneapolis / St.Paul, MN and Rodchester MN.

I could make a tom more money working in San Jose, but the cost of living would eat it up. My co-workers and I are in a great situation. If one is willing to drive 40-60 min each way into work, made much easier by our wonderful 12 hours shifts (obviously many few trips into work and back year year)It is easy to enjoy some of the highest pay rates in the US and low cost of living in a nice, safe small town to raise a family in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a female RN, my first thought was -- what sort of units does he work on and where can I get hot male patients?

Or even hot male doctors.

Or hot male transporters.

I'll take anything, guys.

/happily married btw ;)

I occasionally browse the burn forums here now and then to see if anything interesting pops around and I recall some of your posts. I'd have to say you probably get the best selection of eye candy haha. Firemen, paramedics, bomb squad, investigators, residents... As a guy I just sit back and enjoy my burn ladies' adventures, dramas and shenanigans. Pure entertainment gold. Got some wild ones on my unit, ladies are just as human as us dudes. Actually.. Crazier, without a doubt lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
I was in the med room with a male agency nurse a couple weeks ago and he asked me this question, probably because I was looking especially frazzled. (I'm not not a male nurse, btw). I told him I liked that I was always busy and the day goes by in the blink of an eye. So then I asked him what he liked best and he said "I've had some really hot patients.... even a few exotic dancers."

I was speechless and still feel a little creeped out by that. WRONG ANSWER. That guy was giving you all a bad name.

Haaaaa! I would've laughed. I take most things as not too serious and try not to get offended when someone is obviously trying to make a ruffle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Seriously, wow! re: all the responses. Thanks again for all of your input. It was fun reading all the posts, esp. from those who were/are career changers. I'm a big believer in that if one likes the "nature" of their line of work, generally they will be more equipped to deal with all the other "crap" that comes along with the job. In my current profession, when I look through all that crap, I find more crap. Layers of crap. My wife (a nurse) is always telling me that at the end of the day, she feels privileged to be able to take care of people (esp. those who appreciate it...lol). Oh man, she has her fair share of stories of those patients who most definitely do NOT appreciate what she does.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment