Daggummit!

Dr. B. Sick, ER physician in SC.

Answered the home phone "How may I help you?" and hit hand sanitizer dispensers in the real world out of sheer reflex action.

That mostly depends on what state you live in. However, even if the position doesn't require certification, most hospitals will prefer someone with some previous medical experience (stating the obvious, I know) unless you show them you've already enrolled in a certain field. For now you may have to take a job that's closer to what you know-plant ops, PM, etc. Having zero experience does have its advantages though, you can shadow in multiple areas such as nursing, radiology, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and so on, and be able to get a feel for what you might like and might not like.

EMT= Emergency Medical Technician, CNA= Certified Nursing Assistant These are entry level positions which require some form of educational requirement and taking and passing a state exam. EMT's can work in ER's or work on ambulances as first responders. CNA's provide basic nursing care such as bed baths, vital signs, pt ambulation, etc.

The only problem I've experienced since deciding to become a nurse has been with some of the older people in my family. They just seem to be unable to wrap their heads around the concept of a male nurse. They will usually ask me things like "How long before you start medical school?" or "When will you go back and get your MD?" To which I usually reply "hopefully never!":D

I agree with 58flyer, tolerating such behavior gives those who practice it tacit approval to keep on practicing discriminatory behavior.

Wow, it sounds like you're having a really tough time. I can't imagine how your ailments are compounding the STRESS you're already under from nursing school. I would get the doc to write a letter stating that you shouldn't take the vaccine until after the shingles have cleared up. You'd think the DON would be a little more understanding of the situation; it's not that you are going to miss the deadline due to carelessness or lazziness, you are going to miss it because you've received medical advice not to take the vaccine before your shingles clear up. Unless they make the deadline an issue I don't see how they can bar you from class/clinical when your physician hasn't given you any order to stay home. Good luck, and hope you feel better soon.

It always amazes me how these so called professional types tend to exhibit such "junior high school" behavior. As long as you find your choices rewarding and fulfilling, it doesn't matter what some pea-brained jerks think about it. You've found purpose in your life, and their behavior towards you most likely results from regrets related to their own internal hollowness. Congrats, and good luck with your studies! :yelclap:

You don't sound like a wimpy kind of guy being a former US Marshall and all, so your situation must be fairly nasty in order to make you feel this way. Everyone has their high points and low points, and lack-lustere grades can be a pretty powerful amplifier of any self-doubts you are experiencing (I know they were/are for me). You're definitely being hindered by not being allowed to practice relevant skill in your clinicals, which you properly pointed out to the instructor. Her remarks about your efforts could be either a trivial, snide remark, or an honest attempt to make you work harder in order to prove her wrong. IMHO before you make any decisions about quitting/continuing, you should evaluate whether your current doubts about nursing are just a temporary thing brought on by this one class, or if it has been a persistent, nagging problem for you throughout the program. Just my $.02, good luck with whatever you decide.

We don't get any kind of curve on our exams, but my school has a mandatory test review after each exam where you can fill out a formal complaint about questions you thought were ambigous or flat out wrong. On freakishly rare occaisions the faculty will actually agree and give points back.