Question/advice from a pre-nursing guy

You definitely sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and can cope with stress(if any). My program is just starting and the guys are definitely out numbered by females (1:6) but as long as you keep focused on yourself you will definitely reach your goals. People's stresses will definitely be voiced out in your classroom but I would try my best to not get too involved with their drama. Be supportive of your peers but don't let their problems become yours. The first person you can trust and support is yourself! But don't mix that up with selfishness Hope you no longer get discouraged and do well in your studies!

When I was in nursing school in the early '80's, the ratio of males/females in my Diploma program was 1/10. The faculty gender ratio was somewhat smaller. Men in nursing tend to gravitate towards certain specialties, like psych nursing, which is my specialty. They also tend to be represented well in management.

The main thing that I have noticed in nursing education since I went to school, and this is only from anecdotal evidence from others, is that many nursing schools nowadays are more focused on "weeding out" students than helping marginal students pass. I went to a local hospital nursing school (albeit a rather large local hospital), and the faculty bent over backwards to help every single student. Although I didn't have any academic problems, already having a degree in Chemistry, they did cut me a lot of slack because I had to work full time. I just don't understand the rationale of schools intentionally trying to fail people, because many of my classmates who didn't do as well gradewise are now in upper management. You sound like you won't have any problems academically.

As far as getting an advanced degree, you must evaluate how ambitious you really are (I am not), and whether having that advanced degree is worth all the time and money it will cost. As I have mentioned in many other posts here, the costs of obtaining and advanced degree, once you are already an RN, are tax deductible. However, I have heard from some people that one never really recoups the cost of a Nursing Doctorate.

If you tend to be on the altruistic side, you might consider going into nursing education, which, though not paying well, is one of the most sorely needed specialties. You might also want to consider working in an urban area, because the pay rates usually are much better, and there are a wider range of opportunities.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

Dave Dunn, RN

[email protected]

they are all a bunch of ichy girls. its not their fault; just a roll of the genetic dice. do not listen to them and take no alien orders!