Will help my Husband through Nursing school

[shannieliz]

I have been an LPN for 12 years, and am 33 years old. I started as a CNA at ahe 16. I have never done any other kind of work, no fast food, no grocery stores, only taking care of people. My husband and I have been together since we were 15 and 16 years old, and have three children together, 2 of whom are teenagers:o My husband has only worked in factories for the last 15 years, and is currently laid off. We are sick of living off of Unemployment, as we all know, theres little to live on. My husband has decided to go back to school to get his LPN license:yeah: I am sooo proud of him, but yet at the same time kindof scared/worried for him. I have been in healthcare long enough to know the ins and outs and gossip bees that fly around, no matter how large your fly swatter is you cannot get them:specs: Anyway, I have not told my husband a lot of the stories i could tell him about nursing for fear it will scare him off, but then again I'm not sure he really knows what he is getting in to. I guess I need advice on how to deal with this situation, or should I let him go and make his own judgements?? I know that he has already made comments that he is afraid people will think that he is gay. I told him, who cares, let people believe what they want, he has also said that he does not want to work LTC. Has anyone run into this situation? And if you did what would you say? Encouragement vs. Reality? I know that (if and when he makes it) it will change our lives forever, not only financially, but to take pride in what we do everyday, which is his ultimate goal. No matter what I am prepared to help him every step of the way, and I know that he will make a great nurse, as long as he doesn't get scared off first!!

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Good for you ! He's lucky to have a wife like you. I asked my fiancee to try nursing or med school and he just about passed out from the thought of it ! He's too been a factory worker and may get laid off soon, so at least your hubby is getting in a profession where he'll have a better chance at being stable. Good luck to the both of you !

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

Im in nursing school, but I work in a ER and i have a fiance who's an architect and does well for himself. HOWEVER!!!! I reaaaaally want him to be a nurse, because hes sucha GOOD human being and I feel like sharing him with the world. He helped me study fluid and electrolytes LOL broke it down for me in plain english, so content will be easy for him he just understands things better the only thing that will be a challenge is process records and paper work, hes not that patient to spend 8 hours on a paper (i really thought this through lol.)

Anyway, said all that to say. I would encourage him to go into it, his experiences will probably be different than your experience. I would encourage him to go further, whats one more year? There are more job opportunities as an RN, he can go into education and have the summer off (with pay) to spend more time with you!

Im surprised you havent told him about negative experiences, I've been with my significant other for 7 years now and hes tired of hearing my war stories lol. I wish your husband lots of luck, and the best thing you could do for him is be positive and supportive.

[RossayRN]

Here in chicago we have quite a few male LPNs and I don't know anyone that thinks a male nurse is gay. We also have quite a few make RN students as well as male LPNs bridging into out program. I think he would be fine. Let him go and see for himself. Here a lot of LPNs work in some hospitals and do agency work so they are n ot tied to have to work in LTC facilities. Maybe he can look into that after graduation. He may even learn after he goes through it that he actually likes working there, who knows. Won't know till he is in that position.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I agree people won't think he's gay. I've worked with lots of male nurses and only a few were gay but they made it known. Wearing hot, pink scrubs to work and being male people will definitely assume that you're gay.

As long as he's competent and compassionate I'm sure he'll make a great nurse.

[Dottie, RN]

I think that's awesome that your hubby wants to become a nurse! He is not going to be thought of as "gay". There are actually many more men getting into the nursing field, so it's not uncommon to see a male nurse these days. If I were you, I wouldn't say anything negative. He will eventually find out for himself what it's really like. If you say anything negative, he will probably think you're trying to discourage him. My mother did that when I told her I wanted to get into nursing. (She was an LVN for 15 years.) She even said, "I don't think you realize what you're getting yourself into." So I do resent her a little for telling me those things, but it has not stopped me from pursuing my dream!

Just keep on encouraging him, and when things get rough, tell him not to give up!