So, you wanna be a nurse? Yes. But, I have a few concerns. Here is a quick synopsis of my background:
Union Ironworker, got injured on the job, started college while recovering from a couple knee surgeries
Recovered nicely from surgery :)
Began educational career as physics major
Switched to Political Science, earned BA
Went to law school, because it seemed like there was the possibility of making money while helping people (wanted to be civil rights attorney)....unfortunately I simply drank the law school recruiting cool aid and didn't do enough research beforehand
Graduate law school May 2011
Legal field tanked with economy, law school soured me on the practice of law, there are no remotely remunerative jobs available for would be civil rights attorneys, and working 80-100 hours per week is unsustainable if I actually want to be a present father and husband
Wife & I decided I'd stay home with our daughter (7 mos) because she has a great career already as a......NURSE
Re-evaluate career choices, my wife and some other friends (nurses) suggest nursing school
For the past few months, in an attempt to get a feel for what it's like being a man in the nursing profession, I've been trolling around the internet, asking questions of my sister (a nurse for 20 years), my wife, and my friends. The questions I've answered positively for myself are the following: do I really want to be a nurse, i.e., do I really know what it entails? Yes. Do I understand that I may have to work somewhere I don't want to work initially just to get my foot in the door (i.e, I'm fascinated by ICU & ER nursing, but understand that MedSurg may be the only work available)? Yes. Do I understand that my law degree will not be immediately applicable? Yes.
But, these are the questions I have not answered, which I'm hoping the individuals on this site may be able to help with:
For men with professional degrees other than nursing who have entered the nursing field, are/were you questioned about why you did not pursue/continue your other career path? If so, how did you deal with those questions, and what was the general response? And, have you been able to incorporate your previous education into your new professional life?
For family men, how did you handle going to nursing school, being a father and a husband, and coordinating all of your various responsibilities?
For other "big guys" out there (I'm 6'11" and 320 lbs), have you ever encountered patients or fellow medical professionals who have been intimidated by you and have treated you differently because of your size? And is your size generally a boon or detriment to you professionally?
And, finally, probably the most practical question here, do they make really big scrubs???
I apologize for the length of the post, but look forward to any and all responses. Thank you all in advance for your time and help.
I can't answer all, but I will answer a few. We had one guy in our class, and we absolutely loved it. We all joked around, spoiled him, coddled him etc so you will be ok.
You have a law degree. Nurses with a law background make good money in the court rooms.
The military will snatch you up with a law degree and nursing degree. You are pretty tall. You may have to lose a lil wt, but not much due to your height. good luck
So, you wanna be a nurse? Yes. But, I have a few concerns. Here is a quick synopsis of my background:
Union Ironworker, got injured on the job, started college while recovering from a couple knee surgeries
Recovered nicely from surgery :)
Began educational career as physics major
Switched to Political Science, earned BA
Went to law school, because it seemed like there was the possibility of making money while helping people (wanted to be civil rights attorney)....unfortunately I simply drank the law school recruiting cool aid and didn't do enough research beforehand
Graduate law school May 2011
Legal field tanked with economy, law school soured me on the practice of law, there are no remotely remunerative jobs available for would be civil rights attorneys, and working 80-100 hours per week is unsustainable if I actually want to be a present father and husband
Wife & I decided I'd stay home with our daughter (7 mos) because she has a great career already as a......NURSE
Re-evaluate career choices, my wife and some other friends (nurses) suggest nursing school
For the past few months, in an attempt to get a feel for what it's like being a man in the nursing profession, I've been trolling around the internet, asking questions of my sister (a nurse for 20 years), my wife, and my friends. The questions I've answered positively for myself are the following: do I really want to be a nurse, i.e., do I really know what it entails? Yes. Do I understand that I may have to work somewhere I don't want to work initially just to get my foot in the door (i.e, I'm fascinated by ICU & ER nursing, but understand that MedSurg may be the only work available)? Yes. Do I understand that my law degree will not be immediately applicable? Yes.
But, these are the questions I have not answered, which I'm hoping the individuals on this site may be able to help with:
For men with professional degrees other than nursing who have entered the nursing field, are/were you questioned about why you did not pursue/continue your other career path? If so, how did you deal with those questions, and what was the general response? And, have you been able to incorporate your previous education into your new professional life?
For family men, how did you handle going to nursing school, being a father and a husband, and coordinating all of your various responsibilities?
For other "big guys" out there (I'm 6'11" and 320 lbs), have you ever encountered patients or fellow medical professionals who have been intimidated by you and have treated you differently because of your size? And is your size generally a boon or detriment to you professionally?
And, finally, probably the most practical question here, do they make really big scrubs???
I apologize for the length of the post, but look forward to any and all responses. Thank you all in advance for your time and help.
Follow your heart, but by all means make sure you look before you leap. I am a lawyer, and should have followed this advice before law school. But I did follow it for nursing school, and I am reaping the rewards as a result. Thankfully, everyone in my family and friends around me have been very supportive of my change in career and admire my courage to make such a switch. But unfortunately there are nurses out there that feel we are disillusioned and wonder how we could possibly leave a legal career for something like nursing. I don't listen to the latter, I just follow my heart, and so far I have no regrets! Best wishes in whatever you decide!
Just follow your heart to what you like to do. Being a male in the nursing profession for last 30 years since graduated from high school, i have no regret at all that i've chosen this noble and definitely a challenging profession. It is more than just for good career path but the satisfaction seeing your patients laugh and smiles, really makes your day.
For men with professional degrees other than nursing who have entered the nursing field, are/were you questioned about why you did not pursue/continue your other career path?
All the time; I was an engineer.
If so, how did you deal with those questions, and what was the general response?
It actually makes for very good conversation and interview banter. People are intensely interested. You get asked a lot, so I have a few canned responses I pull out for different situations. The general response is overwhelmingly positive, especially within healthcare. There are a few people in my family who still don't understand why I left engineering, but they still think I was Tony Stark. Seriously.
And, have you been able to incorporate your previous education into your new professional life?
All the time. I was a Project Manager so juggling/prioritizing multiple tasks at once while dealing with people from varying backgrounds across a spectrum of personalities was indeed very helpful experience. Not to mention regularly running into situations that I had to learn quickly on the job.
For family men, how did you handle going to nursing school, being a father and a husband, and coordinating all of your various responsibilities?
Got nothing for you here. I just got two cats and we are not on all that good of terms.
For other "big guys" out there (I'm 6'11" and 320 lbs), have you ever encountered patients or fellow medical professionals who have been intimidated by you and have treated you differently because of your size? And is your size generally a boon or detriment to you professionally?
I know some other male nurses who are large individuals. If they are treated differently due to their size, this first impression quickly fades away after you get to know them. Your coworkers will react to how you behave.
And, finally, probably the most practical question here, do they make really big scrubs???
lawyers that have nursing degrees are difficult to come by and nursing law is a specialty in itself. it can be quite lucrative when you are a hospitals legal counsel.
Dear Prospective Nurse: I agree with most of the comments already written. I wonder, however, if you have thought about how you will approach real life nursing with your background in law. That is because the law is bent every day in hospitals and other health care settings. If you take to heart your legal and professional obligations as a nurse, you will likely find that there is not the time, opportunity, or facility support for truly doing your job properly. It is, like law, "swimming with sharks" - just food for thought.
Hey Jim. You wanna laugh? I am a RN with a BSN & MSN. Later became an attorney, practiced as a litigator for 17 years-- which I hated. Got laid off 4 years ago and have been trying to get back into nursing ever since. Took a 6 month RN refresher course and got an A+, no job. Even offered to work for FREE-- still no dice. Put together a curriculum on nursing and the law and pitched it to schools--even community colleges-- no job still. Not saying that will happen with you. What I am saying is that you should only become a nurse if that is what you really want to do as there is no job guarantee. Size and gender will not be an issue. Good luck and send a message if you want to discuss further.
Hey Jim. You wanna laugh? I am a RN with a BSN & MSN. Later became an attorney, practiced as a litigator for 17 years-- which I hated. Got laid off 4 years ago and have been trying to get back into nursing ever since. Took a 6 month RN refresher course and got an A+, no job. Even offered to work for FREE-- still no dice. Put together a curriculum on nursing and the law and pitched it to schools--even community colleges-- no job still. Not saying that will happen with you. What I am saying is that you should only become a nurse if that is what you really want to do as there is no job guarantee. Size and gender will not be an issue. Good luck and send a message if you want to discuss further.
Agreed, hardest part bar none between prereqs, acceptance (close second), academics, state boards, financing education, and landing first acute care job is that last one. Hospitals burn 22K per new grad, and will avoid hiring you as a new grad at all costs.
If you haven't already done so, I recommend reading the thread "Think twice before becoming a nurse", under Nursing Activism/Healthcare Politics. Training as an RN is a huge investment in time and money and there are no guarantees you will like the nursing workplace any more than you do law, even if you are successful in finding employment. Nursing practice is regulated by laws. You will find yourself grappling with legalities in nursing constantly. Check out the Board of Registered Nursing for your state.
daniellejudith
11 Posts
I can't answer all, but I will answer a few. We had one guy in our class, and we absolutely loved it. We all joked around, spoiled him, coddled him etc so you will be ok.
You have a law degree. Nurses with a law background make good money in the court rooms.
The military will snatch you up with a law degree and nursing degree. You are pretty tall. You may have to lose a lil wt, but not much due to your height. good luck