New Male Pre-Nursing Student

Chairmanmeow · Mar 28, 2010

Hey Pat, congratulations on your decision to enter nursing! I am a senior nursing student and will be graduating this may. I have found that while some outside the profession will make jokes about male nurses, those in health care are completley professional and respectful. Throughout my entire program, it really rarely occured to me that I am amongst the 5% of my gender represented in my nursing class. Those in the field are much more concerned with your clinical skills, patient interactions, and your ability to think on your feet. Even when going through maternity rotation, which I thought would really highlight the differences between male and female nurses, I found all the nurses on the floor to be professional and treated me and my fellow male clinical student exactly the same as the girls in the group.

I wish you the best of luck in your coming education. It will be a lot of work, but will be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Mar 28, 2010

Thank you so much chairmen. I appreciate the info.

bill4745, RN · Mar 29, 2010

I've been in ICU and ER for 15 years. Have never had any negative things said, have always been treated with respect. Once in a while a female pt might request a female to do an ECG, but overall I've had no problems. In the rare occasions that someone makes a remark, I tell them I made $90k last year ( with OT) and that usually shuts them up.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 30, 2010

Anyone that makes fun of me I tell them to pound sound. I really dont need them criticizing me for making a difference in other peoples lives when they sit in a cubicle all day do the 9-5 and hate their jobs. I love what I do and I get to help people get better.

HopefulPete · Apr 2, 2010

I'm also thinking about going into nursing. I had no idea how much was involved in getting ready to to apply. I still have no idea how I'll pay for it. :confused: I'm trying to break it down to one step at a time. I figure if I can just keep going in the right direction then eventually I'll get there. One thing is certain, I'll never look at an RN the same way again.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

I'm also thinking about going into nursing. I had no idea how much was involved in getting ready to to apply. I still have no idea how I'll pay for it. I'm trying to break it down to one step at a time. I figure if I can just keep going in the right direction then eventually I'll get there. One thing is certain, I'll never look at an RN the same way again.

Just applying to nursing school is stressful. What type of nursing school are you going to. I made the personal decision to get started with my A.D.N at a nearby community college that way when I enter into a rn to bsn program I'll be able to work and pay for school. There are even A.D.N to M.S.N programs. Search out different programs.

HopefulPete · Apr 2, 2010

If I go, it will most likely be to the community college. Reading through these boards has been a big help in finding out what is involved. I'm really starting from ground zero. I haven't been in school for over 30 years. Oh well, better late than never...

PatMac10,RN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

If I go, it will most likely be to the community college. Reading through these boards has been a big help in finding out what is involved. I'm really starting from ground zero. I haven't been in school for over 30 years. Oh well, better late than never...

Precisely! At a community college irt will be much more affordable and a shorter amount of time to be in school at one time.

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

It's true that it will cost less, but when you factor in the competitive application process at so many CC's and the fact that the vast majority of applicants do not get in the first or even second go around, it can make more sense for some students (esp. the older ones) to try a private school even if it means incurring a greater debt load.

In all, it's not necessarily true that it will take less time at a CC. The actual time spent in class will be about the same but at a CC you're likely to have to wait longer to get in.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

It's true that it will cost less, but when you factor in the competitive application process at so many CC's and the fact that the vast majority of applicants do not get in the first or even second go around, it can make more sense for some students (esp. the older ones) to try a private school even if it means incurring a greater debt load.
In all, it's not necessarily true that it will take less time at a CC. The actual time spent in class will be about the same but at a CC you're likely to have to wait longer to get in.

I can understand that it is extremely competitive to get into cc adn_programs. I have applied to and been accepted into both private university programs (Gardner Webb Uni)and cc programs yet with the cc program I would have to get all of my preqs while doing my nuring classes which is said to be extremely hard so I just did pre-nursing to get my preqs. Either way my nursong couselors informed me that either a university or cc I will have to apply for the nursing program seperately and people with more qualified grades and classes can beat you in either program. Compare doing 2 years of nursing prereqs at a uneversity to just one year at a cc. Males are highly desired in nursing school and there arn't many that apply so you have some kind of chance.

Anoetos, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2010

Congratulations on getting in, I am still waiting for my letter.