A New Start

I respectfully disagree. You sound as if your attempts at assertiveness have not gone as well for you, as for some men you have seen. That rationale sounds like reverse sexism. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way. Could you be judging your success by the other persons reaction? Even when successful, assertiveness can be unconfortable for all involved. I'll agree that some people expect and accept some aggression from men (unfortunately). But I think the ladies have a great advantage when they interject loving correction. There is is left nothing to oppose. If I didn't understand you, practice on me! A New Start

Also, don't mark your communication success strictly by the other person's reaction. Effective communication is like playing catch. It takes both parties to succeed. Just calmly take responsibility for your side. A New Start

The difference between being assertive and aggresive is the object of your discussion. If you are confronting a line of reasoning, or communication method, you are assertive. If you are attacking the person, you are agressive. Example after a rude remark from a superior..... Assertive: "Your tone of voice and body language indicate disrespect. I would like the same respect I show you" Aggressive: "Back off Jack!" Preceptor tells you to give an insulin injection without an Accucheck. Assertive: "I need to understand the rationale of that before I can proceed." Agressive. "You can't make me do that!" Cool headed, respectful, and fearless speech mark assertiveness. Name calling, threatening, attacking emotionalism mark aggressiveness. Remember, you can always start over by saying, "I'm sorry. Let me say that more accurately." You push and I'll pull, A New Start

Oh, and yes there will be things you don't like. I hated OB. So what? I helped some hurting girls. Most young enough to be my daughter. You'll find something you don't like about ANY job! But is it for you? Is that what draws you to nursing? Careful! Its for them. Those who are suffering. Good luck and God Bless you in your choice. Sorry if I sounded like a mean old Warrant Officer............................ ;-) A NEW START

I was pinned last Wednesday night on my birthday. I turned 54 that night. My HESI exit scores were in the top 7% of the nation. Yes, I have socks older than some of my class mates. So what? Its not that I'm that smart. I just have a great work ethic. And thank God for the women that have encouraged me. You can't blame the girls if you don't follow your dream. You listen to the people that support your beliefs. I had strong women teach me how to pull up my BGPs and fall in! Put on your gloves, grab some wipeys and let's go clean some dirty butts, love the unlovely, and ignore the the bitter characters that should have quit long ago! I understand self doubt. About 18 months ago, I came and asked some of the same questions.. there are some good people here. Hang around the positive people and get off your butt, sailor! 30 years old...............too old............good grief. A NEW START

I'm 5' 10" ; weigh 260 and i'm 53 yrs old. Where they at? I'll send those perverts to therapy! All kidding aside. I was worried about nudity too. (Not my own). I took a C.N.A. course first. It helped me work that out. Follow your heart. For me when I was first told, "God sent you to me" I was healed! So come on in. Your modesty will cause you to treat the sick and dying with respect. Keep your soft heart, and don't suffer fools! You push, and I'll pull. A New Start

You sound like you still have one foot in and one foot out. Are you too afraid of critical care or not called You have done what you wanted to do. Now what you want to do. Decide,. Then put them BGPs on and do it! Your admirer, A New Start

Look at the length and tone of your rant. You sound every bit as whiney as the people you complain about. I agree many of the folks are too sensitive. Most are younger. They just lack the skills or the confidence to defend themselves. But its the responsibility of us elders to give them a good professional example. I've witnessed many a pigtailed RN get abused by a Dr, or an old burned out nurse that should have quit a long time ago. Everyone in this business has seen the toxic culture of many nursing teams. Its just true. I'm fortunate. 90% of women and men I've worked with are pros that I want to emulate. You said you're entitled to have a bad day. If you try to take your bad day out on me, I'll put you in your place, fast! And I'm a 53 year old LVN student. I don't know why the bullies don't pick on me, but they dont. Now if whiney posts bother you, go away. But don't just come on here and puke. You said you didn't like it yourself. I'm lucky. I respect my colleagues, and they respect me. All the way from the top to the bottom. We leave most our problems at home. And we keep one another accountable. We do care for one another on the side as time permits. Mostly, we remind one another of the folks whose feelings are most important. The patients. It's about our patients. Keep coming back. A New Start

Just a couple of hours south of Lubbock. The pay is better than Lubbock, and I haven't seen any grad that was serious, unemployed. Come on down! A New Start

It helps me to remember what I'm bringing them. I'm bringing mercy. Here's an example. The other day I had to remove a JP drain. Pt had a new LUQ colostomy, a central line, JP line, a NG tube, a foley, and an IV. It was my first contact with her and I introduced myself and asked her if she was ready to get rid of some tubes. "I sure am!". I want this thing pout of my nose!". I said, "I want to pull it to, but if I did, you'd go to throwing up, and I don't wanna me in here helping you heave with that sore belly, do yopu?". Quickly, she said "No sir". I said , "Well the best one to start on will be that belly line with the bulb on it. It'll be a little uncomfortable coming out, but you'll feel better when its done. And we'll be one step closer to home.". She was ready to go! You see what I was doing? We were talking about what she wanted....freedom from those tubes. Please don't take this the wrong way, but don't think about your nerves. Think about theirs! You'll immediately feel more confident and so will the Pt. Nothing to be nervous about. You have been appointed as one of the lucky people chosen to dispense mercy. Its right up there with forgiveness. Wow! Good luck! Hang tough! You push and I'll pull. A New Start

I'm 53 and graduating in August. You go girl! We're all proud of you.:uhoh3::redbeathe:cheers::kiss:):thankya::yelclap: Hang around here when you need some strength and hope, and come back it you have some to give. A New Start

To me, its the wrong question. Are you called? Not are you too old! Tell me. Am I too old? I'm 53. I'm in the 7th month of an LVN program. I have 4 grown kids and 7 grandkids. I'm barely hanging on to a 4.0 grade average. I'm not making much money. Occasional PRN as a CNA. My mother in law had a serious CVA (stroke) in my first week of school. I've had to play a strong advocate role for her all the way through months of hospitalization and rehab. I have to keep her meds straight (they change all the time) and I've gotten pretty good at assessing CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) signs and symptoms. Oh, and did I tell you I'm in my 7th month of an LVN program? The first 3 weeks of my second term nearly did me in. We took 8 hours lecture every day. We had 100 to 250 pages to read every night. Then we had a quiz every morning to prove we read it. And the whole cycle began again. I felt like I would fall. I suffered terrible informational overload. My comprehension went down. I had to start reading my assignments 2 or 3 times. I told my wife I wasn't going to make it. She told me to put my big girl panties on, and stay in there. That's when I made a couple of B's on major tests. That's what endangering my 4.0. I was a B student 35 years ago. Tell me. Am I too old? Every time I think I'm going to have to quit, one of the younger students tell me I inspire them. Or a patient reaches out to take my hand and thanks me. Last week I looked around me and noticed the young people are tired too. Are they too young? I think I might have mentioned I'm 53 and in the 7th month of an LVN program. Pardon me. Old men repeat themselves. If you decide to step up, expect to be hammered. Expect to have doubts. Expect some of your friends and family to think you're crazy. But DON'T DO IT if your partner isn't ALL IN! Because, bless their heart, they will learn more about bodily functions than they want. And they won't see you as much as they need. The school will call you an alternative student. The teaching staff will support you but not give you any slack. You don't want it. Because you don't want to kill anyone when you get out! I'm not trying to scare you off. I just want you to pay attention to the real threats. Your age will actually help you. You've had a lot more of these procedures than the kids have. You've taken many of the meds. Or a family member has. Your life experience will amaze you. You'll feel like you're cheating when you test through some chapters because "you just know". You might take a CNA class to help your decision. The experience will show you if you can live with nakedness, and regular death reminders. And it will help you cruise through basic skills, if you step in. Ask yourself. "If I don't find out if I'm a nurse, what then will I do with the time I have left?" Good luck to you! You push, and I'll pull! I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question. But please! If you would be so kind. I'm 53 and in the 7th month of an LVN program. AM I TOO OLD? A New Start

Try to look for a network of local contacts instead of jobs. People love to help. Ask them to. Good Luck! A New Start

I love pagandeva2000! She's right about not letting people bully you. I'm in the 7th month of my LVN program and I can see bullies coming now. If they ask me what kind of a nurse I'm going to be, I tell them, "A good one." I usually tell them I'll probably end up being an RN, but not till I'm ready. That's why I chose this route. If they push or add another opinion, I usually kindly issue them a dismissal slip. If they continue, I bite them. Do whats fun to you! Life's short. A New Start

No one can tell you whether you are called to be a nurse or not. I get discouraged and doubt myself sometimes. Hang on until you can get some steady patient contact. They will let you know real quick whether you are a nurse or not. I have been a small business person all my life. All businesses are tough! In advertising you would find yourself being yelled at from artists, clients, bosses, pressmen, and competing sales people. Newbies and students in all professions are targets. Treat the bullies with "screaming silence". Call them to the side for a one on one. Listen. Listen. Learn. Learn. Then, and only then..............If they persist, go to your bully's supervisor. Tell them you would like to work out your differences with a referee. They will admire that. It's professionalism. Walk them to the boss a time or two, and it will quit. Think first! What has your behavior been like? Confess any problems you've had quickly. Most of the bullies in this business wear panties and they are usually good people hiding behind a gruff exterior. Get your good feelings about yourself from inside. Do what you have to do to get your goals. Don't listen to the noise. Listen to your heart and your patients. There's a place for you! You can't fail till you quit. You push, and I'll pull. A New Start