Is nursing for me???

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So I've been on the fence about a number of things. I've recently graduated from a BSN program and I'm wondering if nursing is really what I want to do long term. My issues with nursing sort of center around nursing's image and general lack of professional esteem, especially being a male nurse. I cant stand being seen as inferior to physicians, or handmaidens. I think nursing is still a long ways away from gaining the prestige and recognition it deserves. In my personal opinion, that would take doing away with LPNs, ADN nurses, and possibly making an MSN the entry degree for nurses.

I kind of bounce around from different ideas of what I should do. I do realize it will be necessary and most beneficial to practice as a staff nurse for at least a year or 2. I'm thinking of getting an MSN/MBA online from Grand Canyon University or perhaps taking my LSAT and going to law school. Not sure yet...

I'm wondering if anyone is in a similar situation or has ventured into either law or administration after nursing school and can provide insight... Thanks :)

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I was not insinuating any lack of pride on your part, but pointing out the growing prestige of being a ANC nurse. As for less than constructive feedback, that was not directed towards you, but more of a general statement. You do bring up valid points about the military taking nurses away from the bedside with promotions. However, I would expect to see NP's and CRNA's involved in direct patient care all the way up to Colonel.

I'm sorry if I offend people here, as it seams I already have. But it raises an interesting topic. How long should one stay at the bedside? With years of experience and additional education, should that nurse be encouraged to move into a more advanced or leadership position?

You can advance if you want but there is nothing wrong with being a bedside nurse. Why are implying that there is something wrong with being at the bedside? No one should be made to feel as if they are less smart or less ambitious if they choose to stay at the bedside. I work with a few nurses with 30+ years experience and they work bedside.They are intelligent compassionate people ( women and men) that deserve no less respect just because they didn't choose to go into management or leadership. Actually they ARE leaders. They provide shining examples of how to be good nurses.One nurse is usually paired with students or new grads. Her pride in giving good personal care serves a model for them.

You don't become a nurse just because you want the accolades and awards.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I see know your perspective is from the military and this would probably fair better there in that forum. Are you still active military?

Let me say first and foremost....I AND MY FAMILY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!!!!!!

I have been an nurse for 35 years. I have been a bedside nurse in critical care. I have been a director of Critical care and Emergency Services. I have managed a critical care unit and an ED. I developed a cardiac nurse anesthesia program/position (wet nurse to the cardiac fellows) that care for the patient pre-op area, intera-op and facilitated a smooth transport to the CVICU/ICu post procedure. I have also supervised several facilities from 300+ beds to a critical access facility.

Personally, I found I missed the patient bedside nursing especially in the ED and critical care. I have only really been a critical care nurse, trauma flight nurse, cath lab, open heart, emergency medicine and found that at heart I am an Adrenalin junkie...that thrives on unpredictability. I am bored by the Repetative or the mundane behind a desk. I am suited to clinical situations. I like clinical supervision roles.

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For some people, especially men, status of your profession does matter. Some fields of nursing have more status and respect than others. It is related to how valued the patient population you serve is valued by society. Give nursing a try.

Nursing is something of an underdog profession. It has had to work hard to prove its worth and is often taken for granted.

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I'm wasn't trying to make this discussion solely about military nursing, I was just interested in the perspective of SoldierNurse22. I was enlisted in the military as an LPN for 4 years. I worked in an ICU in Korea and a PACU in GA. I wanted to advance my nursing career via either green to gold (ROTC) or the army enlisted commissioning program (AECP). I was accepted with an ROTC scholarship, however during my physical they found I had keratoconus, which is a disqualifier for commissioning. I was also not eligible for a waiver either. So I decided to complete nursing school on my own. This was the only reason I left the military. So that I could attend nursing school. I just graduated with my BSN this past May. If there was a way I could re-enter the military I would. Also my wife is a Nurse Corps officer who is currently in anesthesia school. So I do still have some ties with the military.

@ Esme12, I appreciate your input. You have lots of experience, which I could probably learn a great deal from as an entry level nurse. I dont mean to come off as pompous. I do have respect for what nurses do. I guess I've just been out of the clinical setting for a couple years and have had some distasteful encounters while in the academic setting, that have left me questioning my original motives.

Thanks :)

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Havent had anyone really put down the nursing profession so far. Mostly if an MD cuts down an RN its more on a personal basis and its normaly cause that MD is a jerk (often the case). Most people including Pt and just people in general have told me about how respected nurses are and how much they appreciate the work we do.

If you want a background more on par with a doctor you can always become a PA or NP. As a male nurse as well perceptions are changing, I have never been belittled for being a male in this profession. Its even been and advantage as far as patients, some things that PTs say to a female they never say to me, especialy when im holding a needle or Foley :roflmao:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

@ Esme12, I appreciate your input. You have lots of experience, which I could probably learn a great deal from as an entry level nurse. I dont mean to come off as pompous. I do have respect for what nurses do. I guess I've just been out of the clinical setting for a couple years and have had some distasteful encounters while in the academic setting, that have left me questioning my original motives.

Thanks :)

Nursing isn't for the faint at heart.....I too have had my share of "situations" but not all places are like this.....however..... a good nurturing environment can be difficult to find. The present climate in medicine is one of self preservation with "everyone" on the defense.

I have always found that those who need to make others feel badly to make themselves feel better are #1) intimated by your education or intelligence and #2) don't feel very good about themselves and are insecure. There are some types that are the "mean girls" like they were in high school but again those girls were very insecure with poor self esteems.

I think this kind of behavior can be found in any profession. Stay with your initial motives for they are usually right you just need to find your niche.

Nurse attorney's are sought after, you can get into pharmaceutical sales or equipment sales as an educator/representative for them. Bedside nursing isn't for everyone and don't let a few experiences derail you....cut your losses and move on.

If I had a dime for every time some addelpated MD thought to ask me where I got my medical degree I'd be retired on easy street......I would respond with a on liner for a great nurse Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio..."I went to Harvard Medical School but I decided to further my medical career so I went on to be a nurse!"

There are many options don't let a few sour apples spoil the pie. ;)

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I was not insinuating any lack of pride on your part, but pointing out the growing prestige of being a ANC nurse. As for less than constructive feedback, that was not directed towards you, but more of a general statement. You do bring up valid points about the military taking nurses away from the bedside with promotions. However, I would expect to see NP's and CRNA's involved in direct patient care all the way up to Colonel.

I'm sorry if I offend people here, as it seams I already have. But it raises an interesting topic. How long should one stay at the bedside? With years of experience and additional education, should that nurse be encouraged to move into a more advanced or leadership position?

I appreciate the clarification regarding the content of your previous post.

You are correct--NPs and CRNAs are of course involved in patient care, but it is a very different type of involvement. NP and CRNA are an advanced form of nursing practice, and while they still see patients, they are certainly not practicing bedside nursing and have taken on the role of a provider in many cases.

Some NPs and CRNAs do practice up to COL, but not many. There is still a massive pull that yanks RNs in the military away from the bedside, regardless of what their specialties/education may be. I had a CRNA who was teaching my class at BOLC. Yes, a fully licensed, completely qualified CNRA teaching in BOLC. I was sad for him.

Another story is about a gentleman I once knew who was a COL, but was turning down promotions because he was a doc, and if he took any more, he'd be forced away from his practice. He was highly influential and able to remain active for years without promoting. He'd probably still be in practice had cancer not claimed him before his time, but it cost him dearly to hold so ferociously to the patients he cared for.Had he not had friends in very high places, he'd probably have been forced out long ago.

You're right--military medicine often leads civilian medicine. It is highly influential. That's why I find it so sad that the military thinks that nursing leadership has to come from nurse managers, advanced practice RNs and degrees that represent higher education, but not the most prevalent kind of nurse who, without him/her, the hospitals of this country would cease to exist. Perhaps if the Army took a step toward recognizing the indispensible value of the bedside RN and worked to develop, augment and encourage their education/skills, the civilian side would follow suit. Lead by example--hooah?

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.
Yes.....Your comment is offensive. I am not sure how to respond.....I am Godsmacked! I am at a loss of words....and many here will tell you that isn't often.

There is a thread currently about losing the art of nursing....here is part of my response....What made you go into nursing.....what did you think it was? Did you do any research about nursing and what that means? I would think that being an LPN you would have a clear vision of where you were going and what being a nurse meant. Did you any research at all? I have been a nurse for 35 years and I am very proud....... I have ALWAYS been very respected by my peers INCLUDING MD's. I have NEVER felt inferior. I very much believe that there is an art to being a good nurseYou maybe right .....nursing isn't for you....although why being a male somehow places you in a different class that the rest of us subservient creatures puzzles me.

A great lady once said......

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"........ Eleanor Roosevelt

Go Esme! Go Esme! It's your birthday! love reading your responses.

Now I realize that this thread is going another way since OP is attempting clarification but I still want to point out that sometimes there's just a simple solution....

Be secure and take pride in what you do and that will reflect outwards! We are all on the same team really and everyone's job just as important...... And I learned that as a medical assistant-> soon to be RN :inlove: who gets plenty of respect and support from my doc buddies.

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I'll be graduating with an ADN, then bridging to BSN. I guess I taint the nursing profession with my silly associates degree :sarcastic:.

Your post was offensive. Maybe you shouldn't nurse? :no: I do NOT want a nurse with your attitude taking care of me, I'm sorry :(. It seems your beef is with the role of a nurse, not the education of a nurse. MSNs working as floor nurses will not change the roles of a floor nurse. Judging purely based off your post, it seems you have some self-esteem issues.

Because you know what? I'm PROUD to be where I am at. I will earn the respect of physicians and seasoned nurses with my actions, not the letters after my name alone.

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I left nursing to become an attorney. Though I value the education I received, I would not do it again. I practiced law for 7 years. If you think you are disrespected now, become an attorney. You will be treated like the bottom of the barrel especially by colleagues. That's why I am practicing nursing again.

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Thanks for your reply. You're probably the first to actually answer my original question. Just a couple questions: What type of law did you practice? How was the transition from nursing into law school? What ultimately made you go back to nursing? Thanks :)

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This post is offensive to me because for one, nurses are considered the most trusted professionals for the xth yr in a row. I dont think we are inferior to MDs, our roles are very different so how can you compare apples and oranges? And I am an ADN, however I also have a Bachelors so I am more educated than a BSN! And I work with many ADN nurses who have their Bachelors and Masters degrees in different fields. I am sorry that a few online classes separate ADN from BSN, I dont think it makes you any better.

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