DapperRN

At the risk of sounding like, well...an idiot what does this mean? "I dont see how one could answer 1,2,3,4 without some serious therapy! And I dont see how it has anything to do with anything."

I am one of those lucky ones who has one the most amazing fathers in the world. My dad is 71 and I'm 25. I wasn't exactly an "opps" but I'm pretty sure the thought of me started with a drink or two. Anyhow I grew up on a farm and my dad didn't care what his kids did (professionally) as long as we graduated from highschool and became a productive member of society. When I went into nursing and my five brothers went oil field he said nothing. However, my dad did picture a nurse as a women in a white dress with a tray that had aspirin on it. That was until my brother ended up in the ICU and shortly thereafter my dad collapsed and stopped breathing on Christmas eve a few months later. In a nutshell my grand old pappy saw his "nurse" (youngest son) in action. When my brother was sick I explained to the entire family in lay terms what was going on, explained what organ donation was and handled virtually everything, then I stayed with my Bro. when he passed away when no one else could. I was in a boarderline fist fight with the physician (a no talent ass clown...sorry don't mean to offend but that's the nicest way to put it) when my dad was critically ill. One of my dad's friends claims that I am the reason he is still alive to this day because I was his nurse that night he was my patient. So is my father the reason I went in to nursing? Not directly, but I am the nurse I am because of who my old pappy is. My dad also has a different image of nurses no longer are they the "handmaidens" of days gone by but if you hear this man of few words tell it we are the Doc's right hand man and concience. When someones sick you hear him say "you need a nurse" So maybe he's still this incredible (man of few words farmer) but I like to think I'm a pretty damn good nurse because, I am my father's son.

Okay this is just too funny! Life Guards in Speedo's to the the sweaty Billy's in Speedo's! Cracks me up!!! Utah shocked by shirts off! Try Canada, Good lord I'm still shoveling my car outta snow on a daily basis! Maybe we could skip the whole "sex symbol" thing and just go with bravery "hey look, a canuck dude has his shirt off in January! what a brave guy!" I think the whole provocative theme came from the fact that unless the guys had their shirts off people (primarily women) would be more likely to buy calenders of kittens, puppies and of course the firefighters! I have to say this is giving me a pretty good laugh. And Hey ThatOneGuy we share the same sense of humour! The Beer is on me buddy! Thanks for the input everyone, it's very interesting to hear the varying points of view. Maybe I'm simple minded (or rode the small bus to school) but I really didn't think nothing of the calender until people heard about the idea! I am truely trying to be PC about the whole thing (although becoming ever more spiteful) still interested and taking everyones opinions seriously!

Well, it's interesting the turn that this thread took. Anyhow, thanks for the input everyone. At this point the guy that started this whole deal seems to be a little nervous about carrying on with it at the moment. Apparently some of these "VERY VOCAL WOMEN" to put it nicely have gotten some of the higher ups involved etc etc etc. So it may or may not happen. There is about 10 of us that are now wanting to do the bloody thing outta spite. Anyway I'll let cha know if it actually gets off the ground.

I thought it was hilarious and have been showing everyone at work! Thanks for the joke! We all needed a good chuckle!

(quote)"I see you are a nursing student. I suggest you quit now and find another field of work. One that does not involve even a modicum of empathy or caring would be perfect for you." I think that comment may be a little too far. Working in critical care I have found many nurses (including myself) that rely on black humour to cope with many situations. I also noticed that you yourself are a nursing student, keep in mind the best evaluation is self evaluation, don't assume this person would not be empathetic (they may suprise you, and maybe they wont) As far as this discussion goes, I think it has had soo many responses because it is a very ethical dilemma. I am not sure where I stand with this issue. Someone previously made a comment that it could help other neonates in the future. This I believe to be true. Many residents need to practice skills to become competent, do I say this should be a reason to go ahead and continue with this, no, but it is something to consider. At the hospital I work at students perform various skills on deceased patients (I wouldn't call them a cadaver at this point) and it is vital to learning. Do they have a right, I can't answer that. Great thread, hence the heated discussion.

You know it sounds like you have done your research. Bottom line is and I'm sure you'll hear other people say this but, continue to research the profession, do the job shadowing, immerse yourself as much as you can in the profession, and try and talk to as many RNs as you can face to face about their job considering both the pro's and con's. I just literally had the worst shift of my life, but you know what I know I'll have many more just like em. What I do know is that I have had some amazing experiences and that is what keeps many of us going. There are so many things you can do and become as an RN. Everyones experiences are their own, how one perceives something could be very different from another. So if you truly believe that you should become a nurse, do it. No matter what job you have it's never going to be perfect everyday. But, the experiences you will have as a student nurse and as a licensed RN will promote growth both personally and professionally. You'll notice that because of the job we do and the scenarios we confront eveyday, nurses need to vent. So even though you will come across some very negative responses about nursing in general keep in mind that tomorrow these nurses might even say they have the best job in the world. Best of luck to you on your decision, and just a side note, I think that people who make it through nursing school while raising children are the strongest and most amazing people in the world! Good luck.

Here's a quick question for you guys. The fire department in my city puts out an annual calender to raise money for the dept etc. This calender shows a bunch of guys shirts off and all that. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago myself along with a few other male nurses at my hospital were asked by a PICU nurse (male) if we would be willing to be part of a male nurse calender similar to that of the fire fighters. The purpose of course is to raise money for the pediatric health foundation. To get to the point 12 of us agreed and the ball started rolling until a few vetran (female) nurses put up a HUGE fuss stating that we would be promoting the "nurse as a sex symbol" image. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked male nurses ranked just above plumbers in the fantasy image for the average woman. I'm not saying were not on the list but we do tend to fall past Fire fighter, Army, police... At any rate, a few of the guys are feeling guilty thinking that perhaps these women (very vocal women) may have a point. It's not going to be an X-rated calender or anything. The guy that started all of this is a little apprehensive about it now because of this. Anyway most of us that were asked said we would be happy to wear nothing but scrub pants, a stethoscope and a smile. And besides, I know my girlfriend said she'd buy one (there's at least $20 for the sick kids) Anyway I was just curious about what you fella's might feel about it (last I checked I never met a guy that didn't mind being thought of as a sex object, kidding...maybe) anyway I'm curious to hear what your opinions might be.

Best of luck to you in the ICU! I ended up in ICU as a fluke, but don't regret it one bit. I would be inclined to agree that as an ICU nurse I seem to get more respect from certain physicians than the med/surg nurses do. I think part of the reason is that I work side by side with these docs and they get to know me really well. This of course is no excuse however, they know that when I say I need something and fast I mean it. As a male RN I also agree that I am treated different that some of my female colleagues, however I'm not drinkin' buddies with these guys. Again, fair? No but I also do not stand idly by when one of them is saying something inappropriate to one of my colleagues that they wouldn't dare say to me. Anyway, best of luck to ya and have fun in the ICU there is alot to learn there!

Hey! You'll run into a few different breeds of nurses, besides nursing is infamous for "eating their young" but just remember when you are finished to never treat students like that. I think students are fantastic for any unit, they add to the skill level, they are truly happy to be there (unless the staff are a bunch of old cranks) and as an RN I get the opportunity to both share and gain knowledge. Besides they say you learn 90% of what you teach others! So hopefully the majority of the nurses you run into will want to act more as a mentor or educator instead of a cow. Best of luck to ya in your program!

Holy Cow! Well you are way nicer than I am, that kind of attitude irregardless of position lasts about five seconds with me. I would have said point blank "Well, I'm sorry I wasted MY time" and I would have been as equally condescending. I know that is not exactly professional, but by the sounds of it it wouldn't matter what you said or how you said it. I've only been an RN for a couple of years but I occasionally work charge in ICU and ER, and let me tell you as nurses we have far better things to do than to put up with some ill mannered physician on an ego trip. I rarely have to deal with that kind of garbage because I confront it immediately. A physician will only act like a two year old around me once and figure out quite quickly that never doing that again would be his/her best course of action. So what I'm really saying is you don't have to be a loud mouth like me, but you also do not have to be a door mat, be assertive. Besides, you're a professional and deserve to be treated as one. And as they say, what goes around comes around right!

I'm just curious. When I first started as an RN I worked in an ER of a smaller community hospital. I found a couple of the veteran nurses (female) didn't want much to do with me initially. I was one of two men working there at the time. After a couple of weeks one of these ladies finally said that she really enjoyed working with me and it was refreshing to work with a male nurse that actually worked. It wasn't until a while later that I learned that most of these veteran women truly believed that male nurses were lazy. I've worked various jobs since then and every now and then I come across the same, misconception (as I see it). So I'm just curious if anyone has come across the same label. I have never been called lazy by any of my colleagues (I've been called a few other things though.)

Thunderwolf, That's funny, I actually have a set of bagpipes (although it sounds like I'm beating a cat when I play them!) Thanks for the welcome!

Its a tough spot trying to figure out what it is you want to do. First and foremost if you really desire to do something specific then go for it. As far as nursing goes, this profession has the opportunities to do anything. I myself am not a "butt wiper" I'm also no stranger to a code brown. I work ICU/ER and moonlight occasionally by working on an air ambulance. Nursing has a lot to offer, I think if you decide on nursing as a profession you need to find an area that best suits you as well. I could not and would not work Gen. medicine or surgery again (I'm too much of an adrenaline junky). However, there are so many options with nursing, such as travel, disaster relief, military.... Its endless. I can't vouch for the American nurses salary, but I hadn't even been graduated for a year and I bought a new car and a house. (I am not rich by any way shape or form) I do have a comfortable life and would be able to support a family. So research the heck out of it, job shadow various units in the hospital, jump on an ambulance for a day, and I think you'll find something that strikes a cord. As far as being manly, when I first entered nursing school I when people asked what I was studying I would typically say Bachelor of Science and leave out the "in Nursing" part, but it wasn't too long before I realised the only one who was insecure about it was me. Now I've got more RN pins and nurse propaganda, that everyone knows I'm a nurse, and I'm still frequently suprised by the immediate respect. Besides I like being the guy that when it hits the fan in a public place and everyone is losing control I know what to do (adrenaline!). So best of luck to you, I have to say I have yet to regret becoming an RN, I've seen and done some great things!

I have yet to meet a nurse who hasn't made an error. You will punish yourself far worse than anyone else ever could. And from experience that nauseating feeling will eventually subside. And anyone that attempts to ridicule, harrass or promote any negative attitudes toward you because of this, is in my mind a dangerous individual, or has made more mistakes that one could count. I learned so much from a med error that I made as a graduate nurse and I remember the feeling of "good god I'm not cut out for this" but the incident has made me a better nurse. So firstly you will never make that mistake again I'm sure, second you will learn so much from this nasty experience, and third, when you have been doing this for a few years and you come across some new nurse who's made an error you will definately know how not to treat them. Best of luck to you, I would only be worried if you weren't this upset about it, sounds like your more than cut out for the job!