OK, first off, all you folks with extra unemployed nurses send 'em to southeast Missouri. We sure need them.
Now, as for factory workers. Let's not turn folks away from nursing because of where they come from. I've oriented some previous factory workers at work as new LPN's. One tried my patience like u wouldn't believe because she was so insecure about every little thing. But I didn't eat my young. I kept trying. She's one of the best psych nurses now. Her down to earth personality has really paid off in psych.
My BFF's DH just finished LPN school. He's an ex military ex factory worker - now think about that. He's obese, he's loud, and he's proud. Oh yes, he is. And he just found his calling in a nursing home. The residents can HEAR him - yep, and his military organization has paid off with so many residents to keep up with. His factory days created a nurse who doesn't show up late or ***** about hard work. Hmmmm, I think there's a place for lots of kinds of nurses, they just have to find it.
There's lots of areas in nursing outside the hospital. Nursing homes, home health, dr's offices, health depts, schools, prisons, factories (yep, get out of the factory and go back as a nurse). I understand that nurses should look professional, and act professional, but that's like beauty - in the eye of the beholder. Give them a chance, and set a good example. They will learn and learn to be professional if they really want it.
