mpolo

Hi, Im only a student, but i have heard that travel nursing can be a great way to have a working holiday. It pays well also. If you are experienced, then will be in demand.

Hi there, I'm so disillusioned by the nursing industry. On the brochure, and even in the politically correct speech, everybody says, that the nursing industry wants more men in the field. How nice. Whereas behind your back, you get stabbed for being a man, and for learning, just as anybody else does, everybody needs to learn sometime. I feel that as a man in this field, ppl look up to you to be Extra competent, More disciplined, More focused etc. if you don't match this criteria, and are............gasp......just a student......which is what I am, you get thrown in the trash bin quite quickly. Point to note.......all my friends in class have been given a graduate position next year at various hospitals. I have more clinical experience, both paid (in the nursing home), and clinical placement, than my colleagues. None of the males in my class, have been given a position. I feel that culturally, nursing prefers females. and yes....this might stir some, to cry up...and give me a politically correct answer!!!!! But atm, I feel that I have been discriminated against, the feedback that I requested from my applications and my interviews, was vague, unresponsive, and uninspired. How am I supposed to take these ppl seriously, if they won't even give me an honest answer, as to how to improve as a Health Care Professional? Is nursing really for men? It has gotten this far....honestly. I just don't know what to do anymore, I feel very despondent, a bit depressed, that no matter what I do, my efforts not only will not be recognized (which im not expecting), but totally discounted. I feel that my gender....as a male.....is going against me. Where to for this disillusioned final year nursing student? I still work in the nursing home, and i love it! I like taking care of ppl, but feel that there is an injustice....(my perception? pls anybody...tell me if I am wrong). But also.....i find it challenging to speak to ppl who are non healthcare based, especially if I have an interest in the girl.....the moment i mention nursing.....she feels that I am just so kind and lovely, and ace.....and yet the sexual interest seems to wane a bit....this is FRUSTRATING!!!!!!! where to for me? I honestly feel so betrayed by the nursing culture, in fact..........i dislike the culture, and the sexual perceptions that are placed on men A LOT. I feel so disempowered. Obviously if I would be treated like the young and up and coming male nurse professional, this would be great. But even during the interviews.....one of the interviewees said to me.....oh, what happened to you? You haven't got a job yet? Why doesn't anybody like you?.......and I don't even know the nurse recruiter. pls explain. I am frustrated, angry, disillusioned, feel emasculated, and I know that I would do everything in my power to help my patients. The culture.....seems to feel that some men, such as myself, are inappropriate to the profession? Why....because I'm a man? never have i flirted with my female colleagues on the ward. I have been flirted with.......but I cannot respond....just have to ignore. how is that....that females can be cheeky to the male staff.....(im sure this is a generalization), and the male staff, have to cop in the balls, hang their heads and attend to their patients...as their hot female colleagues play out their little hormonal games. Y? Mebbe this nursing culture is not for me. because this is killing me. although I am all for the patient, the nursing environment, is something that is terribly painful to me as a man, because of the sexual pre-conceptions, my prohibition.....to act on my natural male hormones (which is very painful to control) and respond to the flirtations of my female colleagues. I am at a cross-roads...and I know that this something that I need to address. Either get some regular sex, and control my hormones outside of work, or leave nursing altogether....to pursue something like medical sales etc, where the culture does not bust my balls. please enlighten. i am frustrated, disillusioned, disempowered and distraught.

Hi docomo, what did you do previously if I may ask? I'm still feeling burnt out from my old folks home work.....crazy. cheers

Hi J Modz..... Is Modz short for anything?.....I have a cousin ....who is a Modz plus extra .....she is a hyper successful partner in a multinational management firm....just putting it out ther....

also doing a LOT of exercise. have left the car in the garage, and force myself to use the bike to commute. this has seemed to take a massive edge off my edginess....exercise therapy. seems to be working.

That's an amazing response, thankyou! I've taken a few days off, spoken to a careers counsellor, she recommends even doing something unrelated to nursing atm....i.e. labouring, house renovations, etc, just to get my mind off....to continue with the studies....but to have a mind relaxation and do the things that I also feel natural in. I chose nursing bc...........I care for ppl. pure and simple. However I am not willing to sacrifice my manhood, I will give everything to my patients, my effort, my attention, my compassion and the remaining energy that I have in me. BUT.....I am still a man, and i still have feelings of requiring recognition at times (yes , yes....stupid male ego). I read before in another forum, about how to survive as a male in nursing.......in short....lol.....cannot believe this....one of the recommendations was .......to be one of the girls. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! This sort of thing just makes me depressed. I respect, tolerate, and encourage diversity (it is what keeps our species thriving and alive), but I cannot go that far. I simply do not want to be one of the girls. hahahahahah plus I have hairy legs, so would look terrible in stockings HAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, I have considered military nursing.....but like I said, I have experienced too much passing away and the trauma involved so the stupid male naivety of thinking that war is glorious has passed me. A civilian in the military, yes. I am also thinking of rejoining my ambulance friends that I had volunteered in a first aid service with. I guess I really need those blokes and gals right now. sounds stupid, but I like wearing the uniform, even if it is an ambulance volunteer. I have also discussed with another counsellor, how to mix in a personal trainer course with nursing.....i.e. do some work in a gym, get my qualifications, and synergise nursing with exercise. luv it. luv it. Nursing is just such a mindshift.....I accept it, I believe in the need to put ppl first before yourself, but I also need ppl to have in my career that I can bounce off with, and feel proud of my profession. The search continues...Im loving your responses....and actually your responses show a gentle compassionate side to nursing that I also enjoy, how the more experienced nurses, can help the younger inexperiences nurses. thankyou...pls keep suggestions coming if you feel that they are relevant. Chillin out atm, getting it all together. nurses are superwomen, and some supermen. thanks.

Hi, Im a final year nurse......and I feel that everything is just so wrong. This feeling of dread, and whether I want to complete nursing....is arising after working as a Personal Care Assistant in nursing homes. Let me put it this way........it is aged care...wiping off the faeces, washing urine soaked bodies......in a pretty much all female environment.......I find it HIGHLY frustrating.....being all tincy wincy spiders.....honestly.............my maleness just has to be pushed so BAD inside. Im hating acting like I have no balls. Yes, I know it's all noble, yes, I'm a patient advocate first and foremost, but lately I'm beginning to question whether nursing for males, isn't just code for "torture for males". like i said, i'm all for the patient, i'm all for putting ppl first......but by God....I hate acting all..............soft ..............all the bloody time when I am in the nursing home. It just feels so unnatural for a man. You do it, because you care......i get it. Are there any sections of nursing, which are a tad more masculine? I mean crunch.............my head is so twisted that I'm even glancing over websites with nursing in the defence forces....just to have that ....bs....male thing in there....you know, aeromedical evacuations etc. Granted....not truly considering it....because I have seen to much death already.......but I WILL BE HONEST..... I AM MISSING THE CAMARADERIE AND MATESHIP......which I feel is non-existent for male nurses.......feel so isolated. How can I address this isolation? How can I tie it all back in together, and just integrate all this ****....so that I understand it all, and it translates into a long career, that this male can be proud of himself. honestly, sometimes I just feel so ashamed !!!!!! no ****, i know it's all societal, i get it.......i get it...........but physiologically I feel like a piece of facese. like i am losing my manhood. ***. what to do? pls for goodness sake....suggestions? Im going crazy here. Let me repeat.........I love helping people, and I love making a difference in their lives...........I HATE FEELING INFERIOR!!!! all this bowing of my head, being humble here, humble there, copping it on the side of the head here, getting ignored there, God forbid this man can actually say something back to this all women's club. this is ****. nursing - women's club. can I find any other profession in healthcare....using my nursing education....to move on.....? pls suggestions........honestly....I need to get this stuff out.

thanks a million mate, yeh....I'm considering on getting back into the weights...that would do me some good, and got to get off my lazy orifice, no excuses and back into training. Thanks again. Cheers

Hey bud, that's great.....I think you've just inspired me to get back into weights and stuff....and general fitness. put on some weight....and tbh...feeling ratshit because of it......can't wait to finish doing the CNA shifts doing atm in a nursing home....atm they are turning me around the bend. Had enough....and my self-esteem is negative. It'd be great to blow off some steam whilst at the gym.

Hi, Im doing a fast-tracked Nursing course in Australia.....and truthfully.....the anxiety levels are through the roof. The course only takes 18 months.....and it basically on steroids. no time for a cigarette break, no nothing. many ppl dropped out of the course........we started off with like 60 odd, and had finished up with less than 30. (I elected to defer some of my classes, and complete the course in 26 months). Also I elected to get more hands on Paid experience at nursing homes, to work on my time management, which is what I am currently doing, whilst working through the course one subject at a time/semester. I am sure.........that fast-tracked courses are exponentially increasing the anxiety of students, and subsequent graduates once they enter the field. SURE. Although my course was a fast-tracked course.....I personally recommend that for something as important as health-care, people really should go through the longest possible way.......gain as much exposure as possible, gain as much theoretical knowledge as possible....and for all this to occur you need t-i-m-e. I feel sorry for my colleagues who pushed on.....luckily many were already healthcare professionals (lower level nurses with years of experience, or allied health professionals), so they were in a different position to myself (medical sales background). I fully agree with you......healthcare education should take time. The less time it takes, the more shortcuts are made and the more potential mistakes will be made (with student anxiety reaching tsunami height levels...) Keep healthcare education lengthy....it needs to be.

This is a very encouraging response......thanks so much. I guess the take home message that I got from this is......keep your head down and be competent. The gender complex won't bite you in the butt so hard. I'm feeling the gender complex thing atm....Im doing my utmost for patient care as a final year male nursing student (working agency work as a nursing assistant for time management experienc).....but tbh....my hetero male ego....feels as if it's being repeatedly kicked inthe balls and I just have to take it. I dunno....hopefully I'll get over it in time. I guess that If I had a relationship with another healthcare professional preferable a beautiful female nurse (you know you are the best...bar none!).....I would feel far better about myself....atm....this is not the case..and feeling terrible tbh.

Hi guys, I'm into my final year of nursing....and tbh, Im finding it to be a massive challenge. of course, you know....you just get on with it...... Recently I started doing some Agency work as a lower level PCA (personal care assistant - Australian term), just to get more experience with the time management side of things. Now initially this is great, because finally Im starting to get paid, for things that I had been doing for free....as part of my clinical placements. There is a But....the aged care setting (nursing home)....is ok........but it is only when i get back home, and when I start dealing with other people who aren't involved in healthcare, do I notice that ummm.......Im feeling a bit down. Dunno, I guess that atm....I just don't know what direction to take in my nursing....and am hoping to God....that Aged Care...isn't all that there is to nursing. washing people is easy, but.....this might sound sad guys....but the perceptions still kill me. People outside of healthcare.....and I guess myself...I put myself down....I mean my self-esteem is just gone. How do you guys cope with the adverse perceptions of male nurses? honestly I dont give a f....anymore what people say, but it takes a bit of getting used to when you try to hook up with girls and you tell them that you are in Aged care for the moment until you become a male nurse. like i said.....how do you guys cope with the self-esteem aspect of things? I mean....I just feel so worthless, even though I am doing such noble work. How do you guys pick yourselves up? I know that if I would be in a meaningful relationship with a female partner, that would help a lot. but im finding it hard to get my self-esteem up...to start playing the dating game again..... any tips guys? i've tried...fishing, cycling is ok for a bit, swimming is fine for a bit as well.....dunno mebbe hit the weights ....to get my mojo back...and just get rid of all that pent up frustration and anger.....lol......u guys know what I mean. psychologically just feeling drained away from work...at work all good.....away from work....down. tips? get a personal trainer or something? how do you guys bounce back?....and most importantly find balance between work and play (u know what I mean, playing the game with the ladies). thinking weights atm.....just to get that grunt out.

Amen to all these responses....keep it light-hearted, it's good to have a laugh every so often, don't take it seriously. I know that it is hard to do...we are men after all, and we do enjoy the company of women, especially when they are playful I love that quote......it's a hospital and not a dating service...absolutely awesome quote. well done! treat the patient as if he/she is the reason that you are there....sounds smart. being a bloke, I like the odd play (professional, appropriate), it adds to the teamwork. But remember women are dangerous...they have PMS....you get the good days, you get the bad days. just be on your toes boys, smile and nod, we are easy targets in this profession. we are there for the patients, and not for the fellow nurses. it's a hospital and not a dating service.....LUV IT! keep counting the money boys...it's also a good reason to be doing it.

Update.... post exam # 1....the contextual one. over and done with, wasn't that bad,,,, the bark was far worse than it's bite. now for a day and a half rest, and onto the second more difficult one, based on clinical information. It just seems that I needed to get some perspective....and I just needed to break through a bubble, which I have done. Basically been studying nearly 10 hours a day, and found out this unbelievable technique called ACRONYMS......it saved my life for this current exam. and I have already used it extensively to prepare for my pathophysiology and the like for my second exam. It also isn't a coincidence that my newfound relief, is based aroudn the fact that I have started swimming again. Ahhhhh......hydrotherapy mixed in with exercise therapy, you rock! For all those ppl out there contemplating on doing a fast-track course.....don't you dare slack off. Especially if you are a non-science background student like myself, as a non-science student you have to catch up to have minimal scientific knowledge of the course material...period. As non-science, you are the weakest link, ensure that you make yourself stronger. Stay healthy, (good food--not junk), exercise daily (swimming is awesome), and by God almighty study your orifice off. It will pay off. One day. Good luck to all the rest of you doing a fast-track.

Hey Kirby, thanks for the feedback, i do find it difficult sometimes being a bloke in a female dominated profession, once the work starts, there is no question where the focus is .... the patients. but also at times I think that it might be better suited for blokes to be a paramedic. You were/are a Paramedic aren' t you Kirby? what made you decide to get into nursing mate? Best of luck to all you boys out there studying the H-care path, it's gruelling but it is worth it. Pressure and time turn a lump of coal into a diamond.

Hi, I'm currently doing a fast-track nursing course, and I am dying (figuratively speaking). Just so overloaded and overwhelmed that it isn't funny. Im in my second semester, which has been interrupted by surgery, and me trying to catch up to everybody else (still about a month behind in clinicals), and also getting assignments back which are indicative of the time spent doing them.....not great. just feeling so overwhelmed, lacking in drive, and to be honest, this is the toughest thing that I have ever done in my entire life. just received an assignment back, worth 30% and its just a fail (i.e. 47%), and I have to go to see the teacher after exams are over re this. truth be told, im overwhelmed, i don't know if i will even pass these exams coming up in just under two weeks. one is on clinical, and the other is on contextual stuff....just feeling so despondent after receiving this assignment mark.....47 out of 100. I know that it wasn't great work, what gets me, is just this feeling of being overwhelmed. Can somebody else please provide tips on how they coped with fast-track courses? The one that i am doing is and 18 month course for Nursing qualifications. I come from a non-science background, really enjoy my clinical placements, but am having a lot of difficulty with the written report component. So fed up.....want to be out there doing the work, not being bored senseless not understanding much, because this course is going at lightspeed and i feel that i don't have a chance in understanding any of it at all........please help guys if you have been in this situation. I feel that i am losing my mind. please help guys!

Just to add.....to put some perspective on previous post.............I was APOLOGISED TO BY THE NUM... for the treatment that I had received. She thought that her staff were being harrassing TO ME! not a good idea to judge before knowing the full story...and yes there is more to it. but the crux and focus is.....a student is there to learn. we are all there for the patient, without exception, otherwise we wouldn't be doing it for very long, it's just not that type of career, and I see myself in this pursuit for a long time. Thanks for your feedback nevertheless, a bit hasty to judge....but time and the truth reveals all in time. whatever bud, peace....we are in a minority as blokes....yes i am feeling challenges being a male in this position, but that doesn't mean that I don't have the patient as the VIP, that's far too hasty and tbh a bit offensive. its a tough profession, how long have you been in the healthcare field? Best of luck with the course by the way, its tough...but hopefully with your EMT experience you will be well equipped, good luck.

I wouldnt have lasted if Patients arent the reason for my being. I agree with you, if I had the slightest Notion of not giving ppl PROPER care, I would take myself OUT thankyou. Can understand how this could be misinterpreted. You are 120% right re patient care. They are our priority one. What can I say tho, a student is just that....we learn what's accepted and what is not, what is appropriate and what isnt. Healthcare ..... Is where im meant to be, no not perverted, enjoying the Company of female, yes as professional colleagues. What is appropriate is getting to know them better away from work. Don't need to explain n e more. You're telling me though that you have never complimented a colleague in a frindly way that she is looking nice today? U married bro?

true, true, didn't look at it this way. guess I'm just finding it a challenge transforming myself into a healthcare minded person, with the focus on the other person, and not my own personal ego. thanks heaps, that was a great response.

Hey guys, Yeah, I also had a case of being discriminated against, and I fully understand the notion of having to keep your masculine identity in this field....honestly at times I just feel that some of my other male colleagues.... well.....they're professional in a feminine way. Im not like that....nor do I aspire to be. this is a challenge for me, because I'm all for the patient....one time, at clinical I decided to look good for the female nurses while at work. So whacked on some contact lenses and made sure was decent and all, I am a male after all, and I do pursue women. Gents.....what a mistake! I was given the third degree, instead of getting good treatment, sure the nurses liked it....but hell did they get aggressive, defensive and very uncomfortable, also got a verbal warning from a clinical educator (female), and was advised to rethink my nursing pursuit. Moral of this story is...............treat your female colleagues as fellow professionals guys. At least don't even pursue it on company time. But work is sacrosanct boys. The very next day, I reverted back to focusing more on the job, and less on my colleagues, no more contacts, plain old boring glasses. The effect was that the ladies relaxed, I stopped hitting on them, they responded by treating me more like a fellow professional likewise, and not a potential sexual threat As for fellow male/feminine nurses, well, they are fellow professionals as well, often they get treated better, and sometimes I think that having more female hormones would be a plus in this industry. Long story short.....company time is just that, company time. Failure is a far greater teacher than success / Life is not a sprint, it's a marathon

Hi Y'all, Im a nursing student from Australia, currently in my second semester. I got through the first semester fine, mostly rehab/aged care placements and A & P centred subjects. However.....come second semester, and we all are getting hit with pathophysiology.... now I'm a non-science background student, who has heaps of time to commit to the course (thank God!!!!!) but still I find that I am behind in my knowledge compared to ppl with many more extra-curriculum committments (such as families) who seem to be way ahead of me in terms of pure scientific orientation, and it just seems to me that they are picking up all this material so much easier than me. Although I am happy for them, sometimes this does frustrate me. so my question is ......to the non-science background students please.....how did you manage and go-about completing your nursing course (im doing a fast-track course.....so if you did that....all the more relevant) without comparing yourself to others? Is it just a case of, keep the marks to yourself? .... are there other strategies that you guys used to not totally lose self-esteem when comparing yourself to others who have done years of healthcare science study before you? This would be awesome if you guys could please give me some feedback. Doing fine with patient rapport, and the patients are really the only reason why I stay, I feel the need to help them, but I am really dissatisfied with some parts of the nursing community (i.e. science vs non-science students) who just feel that they are superior.....mebbe im wrong...mebbe im just not realising some things. I guess if I knew as much as they did, I would also act as they do....but at least I wouldn't try to act superior and shun other ppl. There.....a can of worms have I just opened up? Pls assist.

damn,,,,,that would crap me big times.....mebbe you need to come down here to Australia...we've got a massive shortage of nurses, and it pays very well. btw.....an additino of my own....how do you guys deal with difficult nursing co-students? i've got this one person who was in my group (just finished a group presentation today thank god)....who's just so non-contactable...not only does he not communicate, and touch base with others, but he also blames other ppl for not doing there work. this craps me no end.......how do you guys deal with ppl that seriously **** you off at school?...im intending on just pleasantly avoiding him. pls help....really frustraten me!

Hi, This thread is pretty decent. I also like to see that there are a few other blokes like me, who are also either studying to be a nurse, or are already a nurse, and are also into fitness and stuff. I've just started a fast-track course, which doesn't allow me to work, as it is too time consuming and intensive. However it does provide me with the opportunity to work out, and not only focus on the health of my patients (via studying the books, and practical placements), i can also work on my own health (incorporating some of the learnings on myself as well....). I have identified this time of study, as also an opportunity to get buffed. Always wanted to do this, get big, big arms, torso and proportional muscles. Tended to be on the leaner side, but always involved in some form of recreational sport, but NOW.... thanks to the fact that im either in the books, or on placement, i have the opportunity to focus on myself, and also get the level of fitness that I have always dreamed of. Of course, the stress relief is also a flow on effect, but im actually looking forward to my classes and practicals now....as i know that I will be relying on my fitness to get me through.....and that means BUFF! The ladies will love that.....and I will love the fact that the ladies will love that. Another person wrote about nursing school teaching time management and organisation.....this is so true. It forces you to be organized. i have tended to be more on the side of impulse, and gut feeling.... but this course is teaching me the hard and the real way, that i need to be organised....this is a difficult lesson, but a valuable one, and one of the reasons why this is such as great course.....it forces you to get organised, forces you to become a good communicator, forces you to become health yourself, forces you to be more aware, forces you to be more human/compassionate, forces you to be confident, forces you to be active, forces you to be resilient, forces you to answer many of those personal psychological questions that appear when under the stress and under the pump. It is difficult, the course....but i tell you what....if you start discounting on your health and your fitness, then you will needlessly be going through hell. I know, because lately my swimming training hasn't been up to scratch, actually hasn't been up to scratch since the beginning of semester, and my gosh do i feel it...........so much to catch up.....and yes.....a lot of head work...... with my swimming and my personal training, I wouldn't have these headaches and avoidable problems that I have now. Beware, stop your training and you will go back to being a regular Joe, with all the common psychological colds of society...... one of the only things that will keep you sane, throughout this thing is working out. I set up a home gym, have access to a few local gyms (as I work casually for a swimming pool), and recently hung up my kickbag again. This is awesome, the kickbag, lets me vent out so much frustration, feels great punching it, kicking it, and releasing all that anger...and other not so positive emotions. I attribute my growing levels of fitness with my turning point in the nursing course, from being overwhelmed, to retaking control of my destiny. discount your exercise at your own peril. Life is not a sprint, it's a marathon..... & Failure is a far greater teacher than success. Big body.....looking forward to becoming who I've always wanted to be....a big armed bloke to make the ladies cream themselves.... lol. once again.... Failure is a far greater teacher than success.

Hi Guys, I'm about 7 weeks into a nursing fast-track course, which will give me RN quals in a year and a half (as opposed to the usual 3 years according to the Australian system). So, in short my course overwhelming. I come from a non-science background, so it is quite difficult, although i did extremely well with anatomy and physiology pre-reqs to get into the course, it pretty much after that was far less as in details anatomy and physiology, and far more nitty-gritty stuff. In my course, it is overtime. 3 days in the classroom, and then 2 days in the hospital, it truly is non-stop brainwashing. make sure that your life is well sorted before you commence a fast-track nursing course, all sorts of stresses will come out and hurt. for example for me, unexpectedly....what is biting me.....is my need for a female partner... and being around females all the time, i'm learning about male-female dynamics, and find it very frustrating, because i want to connect on a more personal level with someone, but my personal challenges have made it difficult...and all the more stressing because of my male hormones pushing me into this brick wall all the time, still looking for a way forward!! also get your finances in order before you start any full-time course such as this. also get some coping strategies ready, such as go to the gym regularly, or to golf, etc, have a chill-out activity that re-balances you. im enjoying the course after all is said and done, however yes i do find it to be demeaning at times, especially doing the placements in aged care...it can be very daunting mate...washing people, and cleaning their nappies, you will get used to the smell of urine and foeces. like i said im in the middle of my first semester, so there is still far more distance on this journey of mine. Best tip, get your finances in order (you may not be able to work while studying), get fit (regular exercise helps with stress levels), side-step all unnecessary distractions, join a nursing networking community (such as this one), keep your dreams clear, and remind yourself of these regularly, find a chillout technique (meditation etc). Think of the financial benefits, upon completing the course (im currently dreaming of buying a motorbike such as Harley Davidson, upon completion of this course). Remember that you're not the only male out there, there are many of us out there, keep us posted, we're all in the same situation. Failure is a far greater teacher than success. and another of my favourites. Life is not a sprint it's a marathon.

Ok, so you're familiar with our system :) how do u find our healthcare system compares with the US? Impressive work history!