nursemike ASN, RN

Rodeo Nursing (Neuro)

Member

All Content by nursemike

  1. nursemike

    Living off student loans smart idea or not?

    My advice to anyone contemplating NS is to be as focused as you can and to marshall your resources. I learned to look upon pretty much everything as a resource: money, time, sleep, etc., and to ask...
  2. nursemike

    What do nurses really think of CNAs?

    I work with aides (usually not certified, which is why I'm not using "CNA") who are underpaid, and also with some who shouldn't be paid at all. I have a great deal of respect for those who respect...
  3. nursemike

    What's special about male nurses?

    That's an interesting point, with which, unfortunately, I can't entirely concur. Word seems to be out about the advantages of nursing--decent pay, job security, wide range of opportunities--and these...
  4. nursemike

    What's special about male nurses?

    The guys I work with are nothing like that, but a couple in school may have had similar tendencies. Another example of real-world nursing weeding out people who don't belong there, I suppose. There...
  5. nursemike

    What's special about male nurses?

    I don't imagine anyone would look upon the statement that men are usually physically stronger as a sexist stereotype. It's a simple fact of anatomy that men tend to be larger than women, and...
  6. nursemike

    What do nurses really think of CNAs?

    Good CNAs are priceless, but there are plenty of bad examples around to make you appreciate the good ones. There is no part of patient care I consider beneath me--I knew what the job was when I took...
  7. nursemike

    What's special about male nurses?

    I work on a unit with a nice mix of men and women of different ages and experience levels, and we're all special, but I don't think I'd say any of us is more special than the others. A number of...
  8. nursemike

    Being the minority/awkward moments

    It is nice having a mix--I really enjoy the company of the women I work with, but it's nice to be able to talk about guy stuff, too. I think being included in girl talk is flattering, and a good...
  9. nursemike

    So..You're going to be a MALE nurse?

    In my previous job, along with patient transport, part of my duty was keeping patient rooms clean. One of my colleagues told a story of the evening he went into a patient room and overheard a family...
  10. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    I didn't mean to suggest that she should be made to pay for her behaviour. I do think it's entirely appropriate to tell her that her behaviour is inappropriate, because it was. Decent people don't...
  11. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    Much as I hate to say it, I don't think we can hang this on the Republicans. In fact, one is still pretty much free to tell someone to "grow some testes" or call someone wimpy, with very little in...
  12. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    I suspect "witch" may have been a typo. Not in your post. The one by caroladybelle. Meaning no offense to those who proudly emulate female canines,
  13. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    On the other hand--from personal experience--it beats the heck out of being "fired" (by a patient, not an employer) for incompetence. (Hey, I was new...) And the reverse of the coin, it's pretty darn...
  14. nursemike

    Nursing & website is depressing!!!

    My experience has been that anything that's all fun, all the time, costs me money. But I love my stupid job. Sometimes you have to read between the lines. For example, when my CN overheard my remark...
  15. nursemike

    Do i not have what it takes?

    3 mos. is nothing. It takes time and experience to find your groove. Healthcare at any level is hard work, and it isn't for everybody, but if you have the desire, you're well on the way. (If you find...
  16. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    I love your attitude, and I admire your creativity. My own father can be a ridiculously difficult patient (not bigoted, but frequently non-compliant) and I would certainly want him treated with as...
  17. nursemike

    Finally on the floor!!

    I don't think cockiness (pun not entirely unintended) has much to do with gender, but I concur with the great advice. One thing I picked up from one of my mentors is that it's okay to feel...
  18. nursemike

    The Lifting Debate

    Also a great attitude! Before I became a nurse, I was an orderly, sort of, and on numerous occassions I was called to assist with a lift, only to find 8 healthy young women waiting for me to help lift...
  19. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    On the topic of respect, I would modestly propose that we are all born with a right to be respected, but some of us forfeit that right through our conduct. Even so, I think Triage handled the...
  20. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    I thought Triage handled it perfectly. The patient's preferrence was respected, but her abusive attitude toward a healthcare worker was not ignored. Mostly, though, the victim was supported by his...
  21. nursemike

    Pregnant and can't lift?

    I've seen female co-workers, including nurses and unlicensed, take advantage of a pregnancy to avoid hard work. I've seen a few who were told by doctors to avoid heavy lifting and other physical...
  22. nursemike

    "Men should be EMT's or Doctors!"

    I'm sure your support was appreciated. I'm beginning to think it's the bane of nursing that dumb people get sick, too, but what are you gonna do? I would imagine any dismay over the sexist...
  23. nursemike

    Male Nurses/female Patients

    Yeah, I considered that hypothesis, but one of the mixed blessings of middle age is that it doesn't usually start "shunting" every time the wind changes, except during the spring. It is amazing,...
  24. nursemike

    Rocky road for older new grad

    It's hard for everybody! I graduated at 48, and at various times have wondered whether I could do this. 15 mos. later, many nights go fairly smoothly, but there are plenty of times when it's hard to...
  25. nursemike

    A day in the life of a Registered Nurse....

    Gee, reading some of these, I feel guilty for feeling rushed! I do find, though, that I'm often frazzled getting things done now that a year ago I didn't even know I should be doing. The pattern...