Male RNs ages 18-25

[RNbrent]

Hey everybody. I was just curious how many of you are younger males in the nursing field, particularly around the ages of 18-25.

I was the second youngest student in my class to graduate. First youngest was a 20 year old girl.

I'm really curious to know how you like working as a nurse. I'm currently involved in the Navy as a nurse. My tour starts March 05 2011.

Some things that are on my mind:

1.) Do people look at you differently because you're a male? I.E. co-workers, patients, etc...

2.) Does being so young affect your co-worker relationships. What about your relationships with patients?

3.) Was nursing everything you expected it to be? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Would you do it over again if you had the chance? I was really looking forward to becoming an M.D., but had to realistically look at the cost of things. I couldn't afford it, and my GPA wasn't the best, so I kind of used nursing as a stepping stone to get to physician status one day. Well, after learning about the different outlets that RNs have, I'm considering going for a nurse practitioner license or maybe research, I haven't decided yet. I just want to get your thoughts on whether you feel like you choose the right field. Other than the obvious perks (such as patient satisfaction, feeling good about yourself, financial stability) what makes you want to go to work everyday?

Personally, I'm curious about #2. I've always had an assertive personality, and I never let anyone push me around. I am not argumentative, but I have a strong backbone when it comes to my beliefs. I'm curious if people will try and take advantage of me just because I am so young, considering most nurses are 30/40+. I'm not exactly sure how I'd handle being a new graduate nurse in a unit of nurses who are older and female. Being a minority might be a little intimidating. What are your guys' thoughts?

[pedimac]

I graduated with my BSN at 22, and am now 25. Worked in a pedi-ICU.

#1 - The only issue that came up in 3 years was a Muslim family asked for female nurses to clean their daughter. My coworkers helped out, then I helped them with their patients. Easy enough.

#2 - My coworkers and I were all in it together. I was the youngest (by age) on my unit, but I started with 5 other new grads. The nurses with more experience helped us out, answered questions, and wanted us to succeed. Regardless of age and experience level, we all have something to bring to the table, with different personalities. Age never came up until it was my birthday. Even when it did, it was usually "Congratulations on knowing what you wanted and going after it. I wish I did that."

#3 - Just started anesthesia school. If I don't go everyday, I fail. But I love it so far. I appreciated bedside nursing, and I miss my friends on my unit. But after about a year or so, I knew I couldn't stay in the ICU forever (which was my original plan).

I know some people say they have problems with older nurses getting on the younger ones. That isn't nursing in general, that is an individual making a conscious choice to be a jerk. Don't go in thinking you will need to be standoffish. That will just set you up for failure; it'll increase the chances of a knee-jerk reaction being the wrong one. Enjoy it, have fun, let stuff roll off. Good luck on your career.

[gcupid]

1. Yes...

2. a. With coworkers some felt threatened, some proud b/c Im a black young man, some jealous, and some treat me like the baby brother, some treat me like a nephew, and some look at me as eye candy....

in other words it is what it is...

b. With patients some were proud, changed perspectives of what a nurse should phenotypically appear to be, everyone wants to make sure that he/she or family member is getting the best care...If you are young and even appear to be younger than what you are, it may present as a problem....& as all nurses know whether seasoned or fresh off the turnip truck, Experience is important. Do you know what your doing? Asking & probing questions... You have to appear confident, professional & caring...

3. Nursing is not what I expected it to be...i mean it in a bad way. There are many things that should be changed for the benefit of patients as well as the nursing profession but no nurse has the power to do so. We are governed by others. A nurse had a simple question a week ago regarding a task that may be considered out of scope of practice for a lpn. I logged on to a state board of nursing website & as I read a few sections of the nurse practice Act all it did was make me angry & angrier. I finally had to stop reading it because all it would have led to is me clocking out of my place of employment during the middle of my shift & going home then later to be charged with patient abandonment, LOL!

Floor nursing is honorable slavery. You are paid a descent wage. A little above the average person.. About enough to pay your mortgage, car, car insurance, groceries, utilities and that's good nowadays (with respect to the economy) So you have no right to complain, so shut up, suck it up & do your job.

Would I do it all again? Yes....only because I wouldn't know where I would be now.. I learned a few things that I was interested in knowing...and Ive had some life experiences that could have only been learned through this profession..(most of it was sorrow but Im stronger for it and more appreciative of life because of it)

[RoyalPrince]

I get much more respect from patients. I stand outside when the patient is berating the other nurse, hear the convo, get in, set limits, patient complies, gets IM w/e needed and I am out. I am thanked alot for this, but still cant get a date..

No nursing isn't what everyone thinks it is.. bedside nursing is just increased workload and lack of supplies, stress stress stress..

I too want to be MD one day.. we'll see. NP isnt for me.

[RTRNBSN]

You're entering the Navy as an RN??? Lucky bastard lol. I've been making attempts to join the Air Force as an RN since last June, but things are looking "meh" lol.

Anyway!

While I'm not "officially" working as an RN yet, I'll lend my input because I DO have my RN license and I'm currently working in the hospital setting as a CNA/Tech.

1. Sometimes... yeah, unfortunately. I don't get the "oh so you're a male nurse" thing oh so often, but every now and then, yeah... Not to mention I'm kinda "muscular" I guess and a black dude . Seeing one of those in light-blue scrubs might make you raise an eyebrow lol. But I tend to shrug it off and make light of it all.

2. Unfortunately, another yeah... I was going to make a post about this actually because I don't know how to address this at work, but my co-workers at times (mainly women) seem to be a bit "uncomfortable" around me. Like, I work with a lot married women and whatnot, and I guess seeing a young guy makes it... I dunno... "weird" I guess. I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES my co-workers would divert their eyes from me and look at the ground or something while I try to have a discussion with them related to the patient and/or their current status. NOTHING... MORE... (I'm not here to date! Just to do the damn job and go home!) Meh, it could all be in my head, but it's been like this for me for quite some time now (If you guys/gals have any advice, please do offer it). As for my patients, it could also be a little weird but, it isn't as much as an issue with them. But I do remember one time I attempted to shake my patient's hand as I was leaving work (I always say goodbye to my Pt's before I depart) and this one woman put my hand on her breast and gave me a flirty look. I WAS SO SHOCKED; needless to say, I got the hell outta there shortly after lol. HR nightmare on a silver platter?? OOOHHH NOOO THANK YOU

3. Again, though I have my license as an RN, I have ZERO experience (thanks to this oh-so wonderful economy and job market 0_o), so I can only answer as a CNA/Tech. For me personally, those "obvious perks" are what keep me going i.e. the caring aspect of it all. It's actually a very... rewarding thing to get a heartfelt (and I mean this) THANK YOU for the care you've provided. With any job there's stress so I didn't really have super high expectations, but I like what I do so... it is, what it is I guess lol.

[JacksonRN]

ive been in nursing since I was 24. As far as..

1. yes, but ive gotten over that. ive been in the biz for almost 10 yrs. I dont think it will change.

2. I like my co-workers for the most part, as in every profession. The biggest problem I have is that one some days im in charge and am amost 1/2 the age as some of my co-workers which they need to get use to.

3. I really enjoy what I do. Ive done other things and keep coming back to this so im guessing its where I belong.