Question Guys: Do you enjoy nursing?

Smitty08 · Dec 2, 2009

I think it does get better. There are so many directions you can go in. I remember being a nursing student as a male and all the degradation that entailed (this was a long time ago.) I persevered and I'm so glad I did. I have a great career that I love, although I never thought I would be doing what I am now doing. Its true: get your experience and keep moving on! Best of luck!

in2bate71, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2009

Hey man, it does get better. I had the same feelings when I first started. I've been doing this for about 8 years now, started as a tech in an ICU and ED. First job out of school was in the ICU and had to deal with an inordinate amount of ****** women and egomaniac MD's. Eventually got the dream flight nursing job and found an awesome ED to work at...so hang in there.

No matter where you work or what you do in this field, you'll have to deal with the crap...you just gotta find a place that "fits" you and you enjoy enough to deal with it. Do your time on the floor, get some extra education/certs to keep you motivated, and move on.

BTW, thanks for your service!

USMC Ret., RN · Dec 5, 2009

Yes, there are times I would love to be carrying a weapon and a defined and clear mission. Other than those rare times it actually is better after a year. Perhaps not so much that the environment has changed, but I've changed.

You've probably already noticed that during your career there have been key points, times when you've learned something or done something that has forced you to conclude "For now on I will always do this," or "I'll absolutely never do that again!"

My point is this, if you survived the infantry and war you'll survive nursing. I started as a CNA in Medsurg, then in ICU while going through school. There were times I would get frustrated and insulted, at times I would go head to head with RNs and told them what they needed to hear (the Marine in me came out). As an RN the same thing was required with MDs... through not as often as with RNs.

Bottom line: Male RNs from military backgrounds are different and we tend to tell people what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear... believe me, it's an asset. There are many areas in nursing that need male RNs would are not timid to be who they are.

Nursing needs more male nurses. Not that were any better, but because we bring a different perspective to Nursing.

Hang in there and use the leadership skills that are part of who you are.

- Luis, RN

Jokerhill · Jan 10, 2010

I don't go to work to love it I go and do the best job I can. I learn as much as I can and do as much as they will let me. I always want to be the best at what I do and that in turn is the motivation that allows me to love my job. There is so much to do and learn to challenge me I don't let the everyday job thing get to me. I don't care if I do more than my share I want to be good at what I do and that has earned me the respect that I have now. It is not good enough to just know how to do something for me I need to know why it is done and why it is done that way. My job does not fulfill me I fulfill my job, and by doing that well I am fulfilled. This may not seem right to most people but I love to learn and am to poor/cheap to go on to school so I learn everyday on the job and get paid to do it. I look up things all the time at work and it makes my patient care better and stimulates me. If you expect to be fulfilled by the job and just do the bare minimum, everyone around you can see that and you will never get the respect you want and you will never respect yourself. So my advice is to go out and be the best nurse on the floor it will take more work but you will respect yourself for it and will be respected for it.

As for the fact I am male, it has nothing to do with any of it, ask any worker male or female at any job and they will have similar problems. If you want respect you don't ask for it you go out and get/earn it. I don't have to prove my sexual orientation even though I am I male nurse and work in the NICU it is never questioned. I don't want to say you don't, so no offense is intended here, but I do know I act like a man, I problem solve, I do my work, I help others when I can, and I don't whine to the other nurses that I am doing more than they are. Instead, I act as a leader/man (not that there are not great female leaders, but this is what a lot of women have been raised to think of as a male role) and I encourage them to do more and to be better.

PS: It is rare when I don't eat my lunch, if I don't eat I can't think as clearly and it actually slows me down.

Bicycleboy · Jan 19, 2010

I have had only positive experiences as a male nurse, I recently graduated about 6 months ago and have been working ever since.

If we are over bedded and there is not enough staff everybody floods the manager with grievances, which is quite often. The medicine floor is the most unpopular one to work on an few nurses want to work there. I love it, for me every shift is a party.

It is rare that someone misses a lunch, if you do you will suffer the wrath of the floor, in most cases you will be hounded by your co-workers until you get sick of it and go for lunch. Every time one makes a move on the floor there is a co-worker asking if they can help you, if they are not engaged themselves. If you ask for help quite often you are overwhelmed with any and most of all your available co-workers running to help you. One time I asked for a hand to boost a patient in bed, I only needed one other person, and 3 came into the room at the same time to help.

If you need to start an IV and happen to mention it out loud, as soon as you turn around your supplies will be ready for you, and you lines primed. Of course when everybody is overwhelmed this does not happen because everybody is fighting to keep from drowning, but as soon as someone is free they will jump in to help somewhere else.

I am lucky in that no one seems to care that I am a male, and the only male RN that works in medicine, the rest are RPN's, who in my opinion are as capable, and many times they are more capable than many RN's.

The only time that I am reminded that I am male is when the nurses talk about relationships, home decorating, menstrual cycles, children and their lazy husbands. I just grunt and in my best caveman voice say me man you woman, I hungry, make me sandwich woman. Of course they all laugh because they know I am joking. Of course I have to take a lot of ribbing from them being a man, but I know they are just joking with me.

I do like it when there are other males on the floor, even from other departments then I get to talk about manly things like knives, guns, meat, beer, and football. Even the gay male staff are quite manly and usually want to talk about hunting and their gun collections and how big and fast their cars are. Of course the conversation always turns to beer in most cases.

NurseCallus · Jan 29, 2010

Hey man.

Different perspective from me. I am two years in. I don't like my job much at all. I started with telemetry which I could not stand another minute of, then moved to the ED. The ED is about 100x better than the floor, but I still dont feel like I am happy. I am constantly thinking about what else I could go into with my education. I have come to the conclusion that I am pretty much trapped for the time being. It is pretty sad actually. Considering Paramedic and accepting the fact that I will make less money. MAN oh man, what did I get myself into?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2010

As an Army brat, I agree that men in the military are just a different breed.

That said, almost all new grads that for a long time during the adjustment period, which is about a year or so feel like they've made the wrong decision. Espeically people in med-surg. You'll probably be a better fit for the ER, so put your time in and do the best you can and keep an eye out for an ER opening.

To answer your question, I love nursing, can't imagine doing anything else. I've been in med-surg nursing for over 18 years, but have work in a few areas such as telemetry, neuro, trauma, medical and now ortho.

Eventually you have to find your peace with all the crap and it does get easier.

Good luck!

Argo · Feb 1, 2010

If you are frustrated and unhappy with what you do working on the floor, try and find a hospital that is hireing in the ED and go talk to the manager or call them up before you apply. See if they are willing to train you to get your foot in the door now. Dont waste your time being unhappy..... it will have an affect on your job. I work in OR as a circulator/manager/director and would have no problem doing that, I personally like training people that way they are not set in their ways before I get them..... its always worth a shot....

Doubledee · Feb 18, 2011

hey guys,
guys, i enjoy patient care and the interaction, but how do you deal with the rest of it that comes with the job. i know better than most, that each job has its bs. i can handle alot, i am a former 7 year army infantry veteran, twice in combat, but there are days where i wish i was back in the sandbox.
from where i sit, you already know what is up. i can honestly say i love being a nurse. like you, i really enjoy my connection with my patients and their families. i can't always say the same for a particular boss or set of circumstances. as you get more experience and make more contacts, you will get a better idea where you are best suited. you may very well be a perfect fit for the er. look into it! basic med-surg experience is invaluable. it will help you where ever you end up.
of course the problem may simply be the people you work with. unfortunately, some people are just impossible to work with.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

A lot of what you describe is common but related to where you work, not necessarily nursing. I don't have many of those issues at my job. It is a tough job but it sounds like you can handle tough. Part of making it, is to let the BS roll off your back. Do your best job for your patients and you can get your own satisfaction even if your employer sucks.

Erclifton85 · Feb 21, 2011

I have been in home health for about a year and a half. I am reminded often that I am a male but it doesn't bother me. People usually talk about me being a guy when they say things like "all of the patient's love you men" or say that I didn't get a doctor screaming at me because I'm a male. Dementia patient's do usually take direction well from me because they think I'm the doctor.

My co-workers are great, my job is pretty great, and I can't really complain right now, I'm just making money and getting experience until my wife graduates with her BSN and can pay the bills while I'm back in school for my FNP.

There will be days you don't want to go to work, or you think you're in the wrong field, but stick it out this early on and see how you feel in a few months. If you start getting really anxious, puking, and not sleeping, it's time for a new job... not necessarilly a new career.