Men In Nursing

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Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.

Hey Guys!

I've posted before but for those of you who don't know me I am 49 and about to finish my level 1 in an accelerated RN program at a community college. One has to have a previous degree (BS) in something to get into the program. I had a very successful career with a large microchip manufacterer and was making well over 140K a year plus stock and benefits but the job TOTALLY and absolutely lacked any meaning. I sat in a sea of cubicles and spent my weeks attending useless corporate meetings, listening to people pontificate about how great their accomplishes were, etc, etc. I felt completely empty. My wallet was full but my soul was empty.

In first semester Nursing school we studied Erickson's stages and I realized that I actually fell right in line with his stage for older adults. I had reflected upon my life and determined that money and prestige and stock benefits and all the trappings that go with that type of life are really not worth it if you have a sense that your life needs to have some meaning. I felt compelled to contribute to society in a somewhat more meaningful way then being a middle manager for a microchip company. The thought of sitting at a desk watching the pages of the calendar fly by really made me sit up and take notice.

So, I went to our local university (the University of New Mexico) and started taking A&P, Pathophysiology, and other courses at night and sometimes during my lunch hour. I studied all weekend, formed study groups, studied at night, I even booked conference rooms when it was quiet at work and would do assignments during work hours (beats sitting at my desk). Long story short I am in nursing school now and in a year I'll have my RN. My goal is to work in an ICU and perhaps get my CRNA after a year or so working in intensive care..........then I may volunteer to work with DOCTORS without BORDERS. I believe that every American should have healthcare as a RIGHT not as a privilege and I hope I live to see that day. Until then I am going to try to work in underserved economic populations.

Nursing school has not been easy and it's a lot of long hours. I am also commuting 100 miles a day to the campus and back but it's all worth it. I saved up money to do this and I'll have just enough to keep me going until the program ends. I've read a lot of postings about the contribution men can make in nursing. I think it's rediculous that people even worry about the role men can play in nursing. That's a very sexist attitude that women would not permit. For example, nobody questions a female doctor if she needs to do a procedure on a male. Of course not, women are just as capable and professional as men so it shouldn't matter in nursing either.

I think that comportment is critical and that men should carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. There is nothing "sexual" about a medical intervention.

With a CRITICAL nursing shortage looming, and with the aging baby boomers retiring and more nurses "graying out" of the work force, it is essential that more men consider this as a career option. Pay is increasing, responsibilities are increasing, and it's a job that confers a great deal of job satisfaction. As far as I am concerned I am glad I got to spend 25 years in corporate America. It was fun traveling around the world and carrying a briefcase and "pretending" I was an important cog in the wheel. Now I feel like I am doing something GENUINE. Something REAL.

This is just a shout out to all of my brothers out there. Regardless of age, race, national origin, religious background, economic background, etc, if you think you may want a meaningful career, consider nursing. It's a great career and will open many doors. It's a way to significantly contribute to humanity and when you drive home from a shift you'll feel like you really made a difference.

Nursing school is a long, hard road. There are lots of sacrifices to be made and lots of long hours but it's worth it. I am attending a great school in Santa Fe, New Mexico with an excellent faculty and in a beautiful setting.

If anyone wants to know more or would like to exchange emails or talk on the phone, send a shout out to me.

Thanks and remember.........YOU CAN DO THIS!

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Specializes in ER/OR.
hey guys!

i've posted before but for those of you who don't know me i am 49 and about to finish my level 1 in an accelerated rn program at a community college. one has to have a previous degree (bs) in something to get into the program. i had a very successful career with a large microchip manufacterer and was making well over 140k a year plus stock and benefits but the job totally and absolutely lacked any meaning. i sat in a sea of cubicles and spent my weeks attending useless corporate meetings, listening to people pontificate about how great their accomplishes were, etc, etc. i felt completely empty. my wallet was full but my soul was empty.

in first semester nursing school we studied erickson's stages and i realized that i actually fell right in line with his stage for older adults. i had reflected upon my life and determined that money and prestige and stock benefits and all the trappings that go with that type of life are really not worth it if you have a sense that your life needs to have some meaning. i felt compelled to contribute to society in a somewhat more meaningful way then being a middle manager for a microchip company. the thought of sitting at a desk watching the pages of the calendar fly by really made me sit up and take notice.

so, i went to our local university (the university of new mexico) and started taking a&p, pathophysiology, and other courses at night and sometimes during my lunch hour. i studied all weekend, formed study groups, studied at night, i even booked conference rooms when it was quiet at work and would do assignments during work hours (beats sitting at my desk). long story short i am in nursing school now and in a year i'll have my rn. my goal is to work in an icu and perhaps get my crna after a year or so working in intensive care..........then i may volunteer to work with doctors without borders. i believe that every american should have healthcare as a right not as a privilege and i hope i live to see that day. until then i am going to try to work in underserved economic populations.

nursing school has not been easy and it's a lot of long hours. i am also commuting 100 miles a day to the campus and back but it's all worth it. i saved up money to do this and i'll have just enough to keep me going until the program ends. i've read a lot of postings about the contribution men can make in nursing. i think it's rediculous that people even worry about the role men can play in nursing. that's a very sexist attitude that women would not permit. for example, nobody questions a female doctor if she needs to do a procedure on a male. of course not, women are just as capable and professional as men so it shouldn't matter in nursing either.

i think that comportment is critical and that men should carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. there is nothing "sexual" about a medical intervention.

with a critical nursing shortage looming, and with the aging baby boomers retiring and more nurses "graying out" of the work force, it is essential that more men consider this as a career option. pay is increasing, responsibilities are increasing, and it's a job that confers a great deal of job satisfaction. as far as i am concerned i am glad i got to spend 25 years in corporate america. it was fun traveling around the world and carrying a briefcase and "pretending" i was an important cog in the wheel. now i feel like i am doing something genuine. something real.

this is just a shout out to all of my brothers out there. regardless of age, race, national origin, religious background, economic background, etc, if you think you may want a meaningful career, consider nursing. it's a great career and will open many doors. it's a way to significantly contribute to humanity and when you drive home from a shift you'll feel like you really made a difference.

nursing school is a long, hard road. there are lots of sacrifices to be made and lots of long hours but it's worth it. i am attending a great school in santa fe, new mexico with an excellent faculty and in a beautiful setting.

if anyone wants to know more or would like to exchange emails or talk on the phone, send a shout out to me.

thanks and remember.........you can do this!

wow, john...can i take your old job and quit nursing school? i'd gladly settle for an empty soul and a beemer in the driveway :D

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Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.

OK...........now that was funny! :up:

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Specializes in EMT.

John, I must say EXCELLENT post! I am right there with you... (minus the 25 years in corporate America.) I am 25 and also already have a BS.

After 5 years of working the grind out as an automation technician I have decided pretty much the same things you did. I make excellent money and solely support my little family of 4...... but its not enough. I want to earn money doing something that contributes.... I was never happier than 5 years ago when i was an E.M.T. I love helping people, love medicine, love doing something I am naturally good at!

I am halfway there in the process of saving the money that will be nessecary to pay the bills while I school for a year or two to become an RN.

Kudos to you in your decision for a fresh start! and for working so hard towards attaining it. I am hoping that in 2010 I will be looking back having accomplished the same feats you have!

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I'm in a similar situation. I was a software engineer for fifteen years, but over time I had begun to feel my job lacked all meaning. One day I was looking out the window across the parking lot at a hospital and I said to myself, "I bet the people who work there don't ask themselves if their day was meaningless." I spent two years taking prerequisites at night, then applied to school. I begin full-time classes this fall and I have to give notice at work soon, which is going to be a frightening moment. I'm very glad to hear that it's worth it!

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Specializes in Radiologic Technologist, now in Nursing.
John, I must say EXCELLENT post! I am right there with you... (minus the 25 years in corporate America.) I am 25 and also already have a BS.

After 5 years of working the grind out as an automation technician I have decided pretty much the same things you did. I make excellent money and solely support my little family of 4...... but its not enough. I want to earn money doing something that contributes.... I was never happier than 5 years ago when i was an E.M.T. I love helping people, love medicine, love doing something I am naturally good at!

I am halfway there in the process of saving the money that will be nessecary to pay the bills while I school for a year or two to become an RN.

Kudos to you in your decision for a fresh start! and for working so hard towards attaining it. I am hoping that in 2010 I will be looking back having accomplished the same feats you have!

Thanks for that response! KUDOS to YOU for being so responsible and for following your dreams! There are few things in life worse than being trapped in corporate America. It sucks the life out of you and gives nothing back. Good for you buddy!

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Specializes in Rehabilitation.
There are few things in life worse than being trapped in corporate America. It sucks the life out of you and gives nothing back.

I'm glad someone else feels that way. I was beginning to think that I was the only one. I had a revelation one day: what if I could be equally as important at work as I am at home. And nursing is the best way I could find to make that happen.

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Great post and I totally agree.

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wow, john...can i take your old job and quit nursing school? i'd gladly settle for an empty soul and a beemer in the driveway biggrin.gif

that's what you think. i worked for intel for 11 years, and the emptiness john refers to gets to you after awhile. although i'll admit i wasn't in nearly the same pay range.

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john, you're not lying about dr. mann's classes! they were definitely challenging! i'm following pretty much the same path as you are, and i'd like to pick your brain about unm vs. the santa fe standard program vs. the santa fe accelerated program if you don't mind. i have to decide what to do pretty quickly, and i'd appreciate any additional information you can provide about the reasons for your decision. if you're willing, please pm me. thanks and regards,

mukfay

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Family Practice.

Its definitely worth it

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I'm in a similar situation. I was a software engineer for fifteen years, but over time I had begun to feel my job lacked all meaning.

My goodness, *I* was a software engineer for 15 years too! I kept doing the same thing every day and figured I probably would until retirement. I didn't even give it a second thought until I got laid off last September and spent the last year looking for another I.T. job. It finally hit me that I wasn't particularly happy about working to make the stockholders rich with my sweat, and I wanted to do something new that really meant something.

My older brother has a PhD in Nursing and was recently made DON at his hospital, and he suggested I consider nursing. I thought about it for months and finally decided it wasn't such a bad suggestion after all. And now, 15 years after completing my first bachelor's degree (and 5 years after paying off my last student loan from that degree :chuckle), I'm really looking forward to going back to school!

I wonder how many other former I.T. folks have decided to take this unusual U-turn? I've been reading messages on here for hours and have found at least three others, and they were all men too!

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