want to become a nurse

ctongue · Oct 1, 2016

I'm sorry to introduce the topic like that. I want to get into the field and would like some advice from other rn about some pros and cons about this field and as a male rn are you held to a higher expectation?

Cowboyardee · Oct 2, 2016

FWIW, RNs working for a paycheck seem to do at least as good of a job as those who pride themselves on responding to their calling. The latter tend to get burnt out; the former may not be as altruistic to begin with but also aren't as burdened with unrealistic expectations or distorted self-image issues that ultimately affect one's ability to do good work in challenging circumstances.

I'm sorry to introduce the topic like that. I want to get into the field and would like some advice from other rn about some pros and cons about this field and as a male rn are you held to a higher expectation?

Pros (of nursing in general):

- Not bad in terms of educational barrier to earnings potential ratio.

- An RN qualifies you for a wide variety of work environments, lots of freedom to find your niche

- More difficult to outsource or automatize than a lot of other careers, providing some degree of job/career security

- Often interesting. Good for people like myself who found that they just weren't psychologically compatible with desk-work.

- You can help people out, which feels good maybe; or at least it doesn't feel pointless.

- You work with people, and don't feel too isolated

Cons:

- You work with people. People often suck.

- Relatively high stress.

- In patient care, you tend to have tons of responsibility but nowhere near the same degree of autonomy

- When it comes down to it, your employer probably does not care about you and views you as completely replaceable. Generally speaking as management goes, only your immediate supervisor (if that) has any real idea of your job performance.

As for being a male nurse: I don't think there's too much of a higher expectation. You tend to get asked to lift or move patients a lot, but that's not a huge deal. You might be more likely to get assigned aggressive patients. Patients and visitors might be slightly more inclined to take my teaching and explanations seriously instead of just ignoring me and asking to speak to a doctor (I'm not really certain - it just seems that I'm granted a little more 'authority' in some cases). Female coworkers generally treat me with respect, though we tend not to become friends outside of work as easily as women do among each other - pretty standard sexual politics (I'm married).

You do occasionally (rarely) meet some dip**** outside of work who thinks that being a male nurse is something to be ashamed of, but I don't concern myself with what dip****s think.

OldDude · Oct 4, 2016

But really...if I didn't get the paycheck I wouldn't be a nurse... :woot:

Farawyn · Oct 5, 2016

I'm sorry to introduce the topic like that. I want to get into the field and would like some advice from other rn about some pros and cons about this field and as a male rn are you held to a higher expectation?

No. Why would you be?

Farawyn · Oct 5, 2016

But really...if I didn't get the paycheck I wouldn't be a nurse...

No one would.

elkpark · Oct 5, 2016

No one would.

No, no -- I'm sure all the people here who criticize nurses for only being interested in a paycheck and not having a real "calling" for nursing would be happy to continue working for free if nurses suddenly weren't getting paid. After all, they have a calling ...

MrChicagoRN, RN · Oct 9, 2016

Actually, there are a bunch of highly similar threads regarding pros and cons. Just scroll done in this section.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2016

I like my paycheck too! You don't have to care to be a professional nurse, but it sure helps. Let's face it, not even the best nurse "cares" every minute of every shift. You have a professional face of caring that you put on when you go to work. You will be much happier, I think, if you do care about your patients, but as long as they believe you do, they will be served. You will develop a professional demeanor, as any professional does, that exudes caring. As an example, I just got my brakes done. The guy who greeted me was cheerful and friendly, but I doubt he goes home at night dreaming about my brakes. It sure does feel good to help people though...