gary62_1

If I was going to stop at a BSN I wouldn't do it, but I plan on becoming a FNP which gives a significant salary increase (as you know). So I'm going to jump through the collegiate hoops eventually.

Nursing was not my first career choice. I was in Law Enforcement for seven years, then decided to go to school for computer science, but found out the computer industry was too competitive and didn't want to fight for a job, changed my major to teaching, ran out of money and then went overseas on a peace mission for NATO to save money for college. While I was over there I got some "bug" and had to go to a third world hospital, man did it suck! It was then that I decided to go into healthcare, to try and give better healthcare to people than what they are used to getting. I had planned on traveling abroad and doing missionary work (which I still might do), but for now I'm in the good ole U.S. of A. Chris

Just a quick story of what happened to me: I was in my first year of nursing school, the second year nursing supervisor came up to me in the middle of the Hospital cafeteria and eventually started yelling at me about a "5 o'clock shadow" I had, yet there was another male student with a full beard at her own table. At this time I had no idea who this lady was, never seen her in my life. She was threatening me with a write up if I didn't have my face clean shaven the next day. I didn't smart off or bite back because I didn't know who this lady was OR what the rules were. Luckily my clinical instructor was sitting with me and went to bat for me saying the second year supervisor was rude and that we all (my fellow nursing students as well) were taken back by the event. The second year supervisor called my nursing supervisor (first year) and told her I had been smarting off and that she wanted action taken (like i said the my clinical instructor rebutted this statement, THANK GOD). So I went to student services and talked to them, they told me if she had a history of this and I made a complaint she could lose her job. Later, two or three ( I can't remember exactly) nursing instructors came up to me and asked me not to file a complaint against the instructor, to please allow them to handle it. I told them I wanted it documented, I have documented it for myself just in case this happens again I can show a pattern. I let them handle it. I went on through nursing school with no more problems from this lady, when I got to second year nursing she was there the whole time and never gave me an ounce of problem other than a smart remark every now and then (who cares about that). The short answer, I think reporting such discriminations is a good thing, BUT you have to choose your battles wisely. If I hadn't had such good leverage in my situation she could have made my nursing school a living hell and failed me. Choose wisely, ask your peers what their opinions are and make a decision and stand firm in that decision. Chris

I play the piano and banjo, work on learning the violin and guitar, chat in the Yahoo! chatrooms, go to a movie, go to the worlds largest aquarium, go the the local botanical garden, go to trivia night at a local bar, etc.

Hey fellow male nurses, I was looking for an "introduce yourself thread" but couldn't find one and thought this was a suitable place, if I'm wrong, my apologies. My name is Chris, I'm an E.R. nurse and have been for over a year now. I graduated in 2007 and started immediately in the E.R. During nursing school I worked on a post surgical unit and the E.R. I did my preceptorship in surgical intensive care. I'm an owner of another large nursing forum, but will not name such group as it irritates me when people advertise their group on my group as well. It's just disrespectful in my opinion. I was in law enforcement for seven years before choosing nursing as I've come to find out is not uncommon. Well, I'm glad to be part of such a nice group of guys! I'm glad to see there are many more male nurses in the world than I thought, we're a growing population. I'm sure I'll get to meet each and everyone of you in the forums eventually. If I don't, feel free to contact me anytime for any questions. Looking forward to chatting with you all, Chris RN, Emergency Services Atlanta, Georgia :cheers: