oneaware

perhaps "hardened" is one way of referring to the process of socialization which occurs as we go through school and enter the profession. it implies different facets for different people. many an idealist started their education with a heart of gold and a dream of helping others. the american healthcare system is often more than discouraging and disillusioning, but some of us become resilient and determined not to conform to such stereotypes as discussed in this thread. sure, we all have bad days and bad patients, but many a veteran nurse is every bit as compassionate as they always were. in a world that drags people down and desensitizes the masses, it is truly a testament to the strong will and character of those who refuse to grow cold and disheartened. when you see how disgruntled healthcare workers can be at every level, it might be easy to generalize and think that this represents a majority. i disagree though. no man is an island unto himself.

I dropped out of high school twice, got a GED around age 21, worked in construction, labor, grease monkeying, and various odd jobs just to try to make a living. I can tell you wages in Texas are generally pretty low for an unlicensed construction guy. It took a few years to realize how bleak life was when I felt intellectually stagnant. I started out at community college at age 25, transferred to a university, undeclared for quite some time before I realized that I wanted to learn how to work on people. I grew up without health insurance just like most friends and family and grew tired of watching people suffer or not even seek treatment because of the de facto inaccessibility to decent health care. We broke bones and healed them on our own time, superglued lacerations to stop the bleeding, etc. I figured few paths would provide fulfillment the way caring professions like nursing do, so I applied to the program, got accepted into the BSN program in 2010, and I graduate next month. I've realized throughout the endeavor that I honestly love caring for patients and interacting with people in a positive way.

Yep, you and me both my friend. GN spots are so rare it's like trying to compete for an internship with 200 other very smart nursing students.... It is sucking, but despair can wait awhile.

Yeah, I do. I'll hold the door for men as well if they are present. I never much cared when someone had a problem with chivalry.

You are right on from my experience as well. I'm just glad to have gotten OB done and over with. I realize there is a certain comfort level that patients need to maintain, but I would also think that once they cross a threshhold in labor it wouldnt matter anymore. I observed one C-section throughout the clinical. She had polyhydramnios. I've heard of the water breaking, but this was like a geyser. It got in 1 of the doctor's mouth as he had his mask down at the moment- it was hilarious although I kept my amusement to myself in the OR.

31, I graduate from a BSN program in May of 2012.

Hi, I know just how you feel. I am a Senior 1 but still feel "green" at every clinical. Take pride in knowing that being accepted into nursing school shows that you have the ability to grow and develop into a profesional nurse. Others believe this as well, aeb you being accepted into the program. The nurse who threw you in there knows that the only way to gain confidence is by doing it. It can be a very scary and nerve-wracking experience for the new student nurse. I don't have any awesome advice on building confidence. I'll just say what really helped me was just reminding myself every day that although I may feel scared and anxious about some things, It Is Not About Me. It is hard when patients die, and it's hard to clean stool or other bodily fluids from other people, but above all, It Is Not About Me. Real nurses are teachers first and foremost, and being humble and receptive, asking questions and striving to learn, will be a great boost to you. Good luck, and just think through all of it. DM

Move out of the area, my friend. What happened to you is extreme and assinine. I wear a long-sleeved thermal under my scrubs in clinical and simulation, but in lecture it does not matter. That's a dumb dress code. Now, if your tattoos are home-made, gang related, or just crude, I can see why you'd consider getting rid of them, but otherwise, I've seen some people go several sessions to get laser tattoo removal, and the ugly scars that they have are worse than what they were trying to get rid of. I tell them "You should have just gotten it covered up with another tattoo.

Would you please, stop surfing your Facebook when there are people sitting behind you? If you aren't interested in the lecture, at least sit in the very back.