bones221

Sorry about that. I thought this was an open forum. I didn't realize you were exclusively addressing those who may find it necessary to display their impressiveness with their command of "big enough words". I'll bow out of the discussion by asking who should be embarrassed: 1) The hard working professional nurse 2) The person who is too afraid to make a career choice based on what somebody may think. or 3) The person who feels the need to justify an (embarrassing) career in nursing by making use of impressively big words. The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Oh yeah, nearly forgot. I certainly don't have the goal of being a nurse anesthetist, am I less impressive because of that? Do med-surge specialists have something to be embarrassed about because they may not have any goal to continue to advanced practice so they can use big words to describe their job? If your goal is to impress people with big words then perhaps you should negotiate the procurement of a good thesaurus.

"I feel a little embarassed about being a nurse." " When people ask I tell them "'Im an Emergency Room R.N ... it avoids possible embarrassment" "I still have trouble saying that "N" word! (NURSING!)" Jeebus people, quit being pansies and man up. Who gives a .. what other people think of your career choice? I mean it's one thing to be intimidated and questioning about a major career change, but getting wrapped up in what other people think of you??? Fer cryin' out loud, who's living your life?!? There are so many questions to answer in making such a change, why complicate things 'cause of what ppl will think? Embarrassed about being a nurse...Embarrassed to be a caring, knowledgeable, hard working, professional who helps his fellow humans, makes the world a better place, and saves lives. Wow truly mortifying! There are so many fantastic reasons NOT to go into nursing...Can't take poopie smells, can't stand blood, disgusted by old people, uncaring, not smart enough, desire for fame and power, passionate about something else. What other people think of my motivations, choices, or sexuality never crossed my mind until I stared seeing those posts here. Frankly, I don't think it's very masculine to be whining about, "If I become a ________, then sometime-somewhere-somebody my think less of me" Do you soul searching. If nursing is right for you, and you think you are man enough to be a nurse...then step up and welcome to the club. If something else is more to your liking then be man enough to chase that dream.

ummmm.......no.

OK, I'm not a nurse yet. In fact, I don't even start school for a few months yet. A bunch of years ago I was an EMT...So take me with a giant grain of salt. It seems to me that ANY time Heimlich needs to be administered a trip to the ED is advisable. Especially with a hard candy. Especially with a kid. Especially if the blockage is not expelled. Couldn't the process rupture the traecha or esophogus? Couldn't the unexpelled repositioned item that is still partially compromising the airway reposition itself again and totally block the airway? Seems to me a call to the parents isn't enough, unless it is to inform the parents that they should be meeting the ambulance at the ED. In my uneducated opinion anything less is negligence!

Hey, I'm starting at HCC in August. Anybody here in Tampa? ~Eric

I'm recently accepted to nursing school, and have recently started as a CNA. I have sported a goatee or full beard and moustache for over twenty years now. I'd hate to have to get rid of it, but will certainly do so if needed. Anyway, I've been keeping an eye on the facial hair of the men inthe industry that I come across. I've noticed that most are sporting a beard. I've also noticed on the class pictures scattered about the school that most of the grads of the program that I'm to attend are wearing facial hair of one style or another. Also, when I interviewed at the facility where I'm currently working, I was sporting a bushy "wild west" style handlebar moustache! Never a word was said against it. Hardly a scientific sampling to be sure, but it's what I've noticed so far. I have a hypothesis that there is such a small percentage of men in nursing that few facilities have bothered to write a policy. *shrug*

Good for you! You may find, like I did, that you'll realize that your patients are just people. People who are ill, who's bodies are failing them, or in recovery...People who need help. It didn't take me long at all to realize that it could be me, or my parents, or loved one's who need help. Professionalism will carry you a long way. Treat your patients how you would want your loved ones treated and it'll be difficult to go wrong. I hope you find reward in this industry!

A few years back I went to school to become a massage therapist. Ya know, there were people in my class with "touch issues". Why in Glub's name would someone go to massage therapist school when they are unable to touch people or accept the touch of a fellow human?!? Why I ask you, why?!? If you are going to go into a hands on career in the medical profession you are going to have to deal with poop, pee, puss, blood, eye boogers, ear wax, necrotic tissue, snot, vomit, and all the tasty and odoriferous sauces that the human body can produce. It's just part of it. If you really want to become a nurse, but are afraid that the gross stuff is going to keep you from it, why not try a lesser commitment than nursing school first? Get a license (and a job) as a CNA, volunteer at a nursing home, hang out at a frat house. Maybe I'm not being very nurturing or supportive here, but I had no sympathy for the idiot in massage school who was so squeamish about being touched that he literally broke out in hives. I had no sympathy for my dumb ass EMT partner who was so sickened at the sight of blood that she couldn't do her job. The health care field is a wonderful, rewarding, and fulfilling career for lots of people. Maybe you are one of us, and if so...WELCOME!!!! If not, well there ain't a thing wrong with that either.

I start nursing school in August. I started my CNA job two weeks ago. I am fortunate enought to be working in a top notch facility. The pay kinda sucks. The residents are wonderful. The staff exceptional. Not to be too pollyanna here, but I find it noble work. I have no interest in making a career of geriatrics, but have been surprised as to how much I enjoy my first job in my new career. The skills that I'm learning now will carry me throughout my career, I'm sure. I'm also surprised at how NOT disgusting it is. Oh sure, it's everything I expected. Plenty of poop, drool, pee, and other people-sauce to go around. But hey man...these are people...sick people that need care, that's all. Lord knows there's been some pretty nasty things come out of my body over the years that I've had to clean up. It took me about five minutes to fall in love with our residents. I'm happy to help them. I'm grateful for their patience with me as I learn.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be starting nursing school this August! It's been a long strange trip coming to this point, but that's probably the case for a lot of us here. I just wanted to it say again, to whoever will listen. The term "male nurse" has always seemed a bit silly to me. After all, nobody ever referred to me as a "male sausage-maker", a "male ski instructor", or a "male mortorcycle mechanic". Now whenever some one says something in the vein of, "gosh, it sure is great that you're gonna be a 'male nurse' ". I adopt a bemused expression and say something like..."Oh no, I'm not gonna be a 'male nurse', I'll help women too"! lookin' forward to joining your ranks! ~Eric