ptjones68

Most recently, the hospital I'm working at decided that nurse aides will not be doing straight catheterizations. I am uncomfortable doing female straight caths on my unit because many of the patients are alert yet disoriented. And to be brutally honest, I have never done a female straight cath (I have only been a nurse for a year). Nursing school never taught it to me. How do other male nurses feel about female straight cathing and deal with this? Thanks for any feedback. ptjones68

Do you mind providing the websites for these brands? I want to make sure I get it right. Thanks, PTjones68

I just started working as an RN (yeay). Always trust your instinct. If it doesn't feel right, seem, right, look right, then it isn't right. There was one instance when I needed to place a straight catheter in a femal patient. Upon assessing the patient, I felt uncomfortable doing it. I went to the charge nurse and explained that, while I was certainly willing to do this, I was uncomfortable with this particular female patient and either needed a female witness or would trade a similar task with another nurse. Turns out, I was asked to do a straight cath for a male patient and a femal nurse did it for my female patient. WIN WIN. If you are uncomfortable, you may also ask the patient directly if they are comfortable that a male nurse do it, or if they prefer a female do it. This way, it provides the patient with a level of control (which they already don't feel they have) and provides them with the dignity they deserve. Also, they appreciate that you are considering their feelings. Don't forget, we are their for the patient. It is all about them. Anything we can do to give them a positive experience in a "not-so-positive" situation is a plus for you, the hospital, and to their overall recovery experience. Good luck

This is the proper reply... It doesn't matter what people's opinions are...it matters what the policies state Everyone else...need to keep it professional and not discriminate!

I think there are a lot of nurses that are quite shallow! Starting to remind me of the Republican VP candidate...YIKES!

That is a buch of old-school BS. My interpretation of your response is that of snobiness and exactly why many people opt not to go into nursing. While I agree that we have an obligation to be professional, I don't think painting everyone gray is the answer... If that is the case, then no nurse should wear make-up, wear those "cute" nurse uniforms, mandated to wear a hat to cover all the hair... Get a grip and a life.

If you are wondering what your co-workers will think, simply ask them? Also, you may want to ask your nursing manager if there are policies regarding hair styles...I know that some hospitals require hair to be off shoulders, etc... Sometimes you have to ask yourself...If I have to ask the question then I already know the answer. My personal opinion? I try to focus on the personality, not attributes. Best

I am 39 and went into the Direct Entry program. I had similar desires to help people and make a difference. DO IT. This is the time because you still have 25+ years of work ahead of you and there are so many different avenues to take once you have the license. Good Luck,

Hey there, I'm going to Regis College in Massachusetts and they offer the best of both worlds. A direct entry program that offers a BSN (Fall 2007 to May 2009), and then the option to go an additional year to get a MSN as a Nurse Practitioner. I love having the option of stopping if I want to at the BSN level, or continuing on. This is one of the very few schools that offer the BSN in between. Good luck to you. Paul

Is there a central resource (website) where hospitals advertise internships for newly graduated BSN (RN's). Or does one have to do the leg work themselves and call individual hospitals to enquire. I'm concerned about graduating in May 2009 and not being able to find a job due to lack of experience. I live in the Boston area and want to at least have the knowledge on how to tackle getting a job or graduate internship in a field that I may be interested in, rather than settling for, say a nursing home, which I have no interest in. Thanks, Paul

Yeah, the Army nurse corps was tempting because of the $139,000 loan repayment. However, since I was already in the Army enlisted for 3 years right after highschool, I decided that I prefered a quality of life in the Air Force or Navy, vs. the Army owning me. Don't get me wrong, Army can be a great opportunity. There is a price to pay for them paying back $139,000 in loans. But, if I was younger, I'd probably do Army. Now that I'm 40, I prefer quality of life. Good luck to you.

Good information. A few questions for you though. Did you have a problem finding a job right away when you came out after 5 years. What made you decide to go back into the military? What makes you want to stay in? Thanks much Paul

I am thinking of going into the Air Force directly after I graduate with my BSN in nursing. The commitment is 3 years. Does anyone know if this will be a "PLUS" when I get out and apply to hospitals? Thanks for your replies. Paul J.

Gen, Thanks for the feedback re: NP with no experience. I want to make sure I'm not wasting money and time in this program. I will talk with a recruiter and then decide if it makes sense to go in upon my BSN in nursing or wait. Thanks again. Paul

I am currently in a Direct Entry program and will get my BSN in May 2009 and Family Nurse Practioner in May 2010. I have the option of stopping at the BSN point.... I am thinking of joining the Army Nurse Corps. Does it make sense to go in directly after the BSN or wait a year to go in once I have my NP. Either way, I will have no work experience (maybe a year of RN if I get my NP). Will I go in with a higher rank as an NP? Will the Army still pay my loans off? Tahnks for any feedback.