Guys- what made you want to become a nurse?

RNDave · Oct 20, 2007

We had 8 guys out of a class of 39. Ours was a 2nd degree BSN program, so everyone was going into nursing as a 2nd career. Personally I chose nursing after spending a number of years as a chiropractor, disliking the highly entrepreneurial nature of the business and constant political struggles within that profession. I wanted to stay in health care. I chose nursing because it's a field that values critical thinking and clinical knowledge over business savvy. And, I wanted a career with insurance benefits.

That's a short version of my story,

Dave

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2007

Yes "Tweety", a man nurse with this nickname makes us all look, er, well, uh, ?gay. Thank you for allowing the myth of all man nurses are homosexual to continue. I'll bet on the floor I am more professional than 90% of the nurses I work with. Oh yeah, at least I can be honest AND have a little fun on our own little corner of the web, well until someone who is holier than thou comes along to be a sanctimonious party pooper!

Ouch...Lucky you're talking to a mod because if you flamed another member like that I would delete it. But I can always take a good flame.Tweety is a pet name given to me by my ex and I was thinking about changing it anyway because I want to move on.

I didn't mean to come across as holier than thou. I just get irritated with the "it's great to be a male nurse because of all the hot chicks" statement, even if it's made in good fun, which I presumed it was. I've seen it several times on this forum. Sorry to be the sanctimonious party pooper. I may demean the profession with my name, but that doesn't negate the negative image we give male nursing with statements about hot chicks.

Dolce, RN · Oct 20, 2007

working with chicks, man... there's a lotta love in healthcare!

Thanks for confirming what I've often assumed.

ckalston · Oct 20, 2007

I had several reasons that made me chose nursing. First I wanted something that within 2 years I could make a difference in my salary, get into a field where there would always be work and to be able to help people. After 7 years with my ADN, I pursued first my BSN and then my MSN/MBA because I realized that I wanted to make a difference in healthcare. Now in management, still with a long way to go to get into a position in which I can make a true difference.

I am one male that believes in equal pay for equal work so I don't think I should make more money just because I am male.

DudeNurseRN · Oct 20, 2007

Meh --

I liked the idea of working in the medical field and helping other folks out. Also, it's one of the few positions in the medical field that take the position of looking at a patient holistically.

Money ain't bad, and having to put up with the usual "Have you seen MEET THE PARENTS?", by your close friends and family isn't too bad once you have your canned response all picked out.

theatredork · Oct 22, 2007

Honestly, I never had an dreams or plans to become a nurse. It happened by accident.

After 9/11 happened in 2001 I came home from school in Boston completely confused about what I wanted to do with my life. I did know, however, that I wanted to be able to help people, and that I hated feeling totally helpless that September.

My friend James convinced me to join a first aid squad that following summer, and it was during my EMT class that I discovered nursing and actually got to see what nurses do.

I finished my EMT course, and immediately enrolled at my community college to take prerequisites towards the nursing program. Once I sat down and seriously though about nursing as a career, I knew that it was right.

While the initial reason that propelled me into nursing was a noble one, I did it also because it would provide me with financial stability. I also knew that I'd have the flexibility to change specialties within nursing with relative ease, so that was another selling point.

So here I am, 5 years later, with my RN license in NJ and NY, about to start my first nursing job in a Burn ICU. Hopefully, I can get back to a normal life now that I'm done with nursing school. :beer:

RyanGeraldRN · Oct 24, 2007

the technicality of ANY jobs can be learned sooner or later... but having compassion and able to make people smile is something you can't learn, and i believe you gotta have that in nursing.

although i must say its good to be a male nurse cuz everyone loves you lol..

Perpetual Student · Oct 26, 2007

My decision to become a nurse was based upon careful consideration of the numerous advantages (and disadvantages, but I won't address them here for the sake of brevity). The primary reason--and the one I mention in interviews and when talking to people that I don't know well--is that I wanted to do something meaningful with my time while working. I do not want to go home at the end of the day (or night) and say "Wow, I did not accomplish a single damned thing on that shift." Nursing is always beneficial for the patient if done correctly, even if he does have a negative outcome. The focus on the patient's complete wellness really appeals to me.

Money is a factor, though not in the typical sense. I am a fairly smart fellow and I'm sure I could pursue an educational direction that would lead to a job paying a lot more than being an RN will. That said, nurses do get paid well enough that I should be able to live quite comfortably with a little planning. It is also one of the better paying jobs that I can get in a rural area, which I intend to relocate to once I become an RN (I'm currently an LPN). Plus there are so many different awesome things to do as a nurse that an RN who is truly unhappy is an idiot for not seeking a better match.

Regardless of what happens economically, technologically, or politically, nursing care will always be in demand. Even in (and perhaps especially in) 3rd world countries there is a need for nursing care.

How did I realize that nursing was an option? Well, when I was 11 years old my mother had a heart attack (after having seen her physician only a couple of hours prior c/o what are now known as common s/s of cardiac problems in women :uhoh3: ). She spent over a week in the hospital, primarily in the CCU, during which time she had at least one nurse that happened to be a man who was incredibly competent, compassionate, and effective in making her experience as pleasant as possible.

My dad also had begun training as an LPN while in the Army, but could not finish due to the physical aftermath of a severe motorcycle crash. My parents were (and are) both extremely supportive of my entry into nursing.

Cartman1532 · Oct 28, 2007

I chose to go into nursing as a second career. I was always interested in nursing but went into business instead. I will graduate in May with a BSN. I like nursing but it is a tough job with a lot of challenges both professionally and politically. I like people and want to make some kind of a diffrence no matter how large or small. I did not have the calling, I dont like that expression because it insinuates that being a nurse is somthing you were ordained to do from birth. Nursing is a tough job, with flexible work hours and a decent salary, plus it can be rewarding and you can do many types of jobs in diffrent departments and specialties and even go into administration if you have the desire.

That is all I have to say about that!

David's Harp · Oct 28, 2007

Guys-
Just wondering why you decided to become a nurse? I just read a posting on the homepage by a male that said something along the lines of our hospital usually starts new grads off at $20/hour but since I am a male I was hoping on making $25.00/hour. And to be honest with you, it really made me angry.

Well, shoot - it should make you angry! It's making me angry!

(snip)
And I didn't mean to offend anyone, I'm sorry if you take it the wrong way! Can't wait to hear your responses!

The "this is too easy for me" thing...are you guys very far into the program? Are these people doing so well in clinicals? Some people who seemed bored in my program didn't pass NCLEX on the first go-round, sooooo...

Anyway, back to your original question: I didn't think about it until about five years ago, by which point a number of people had mentioned it to me over the years as something they saw as a possibility in me, that I didn't see myself until that point.

So, clearly I wasn't an English major at any point...

I went to school for nursing, and then I was hooked. A combination of the Pathophys stuff and the patient interaction in clinicals just pulled me right in, and I heard a lot of "told ya so"'s soon afterwards! The money's a great plus, I can't lie. Especially since my other career is as a musician, and musicians are criminally underpaid and undersupported here in the States, and not too much better elsewhere.

But there is a lot more drawing me in than the $$, and it's sure enough not "too easy" for me, sister! No offense taken by what you wrote, I'm just kinda scratching my head about those other people you talked about... reminds me of Groucho Marx: "I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me as a member", or something...

-Kevin

Dallas_RN, BSN, EMT-P · Nov 1, 2007

I was a paramedic for a 911 service in New Orleans and just wanted to provide myself with more opportunities which are almost nonexistent in EMS. Now upward and lateral moves are endless.

raemon · Nov 2, 2007

hey guys, can anyone introduce me with your nurse friend?...