Working as a stripper AND a nurse

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I looked at the BON and it's very vague, so I'm guessing that can be used/interpreted by the board and what they see fit, right?

I just reviewed my policy and procedures this past month. Guess what? I do some things differently than the policy says. So does everyone else I talk to..I was thinking of trying to get the policy changed.

My point?

If my boss wanted to, He could fire me on the spot for no reason at all. But, I'm sure there are lots of things that I don't know I'm doing "wrong".

If you get caught by a coworker, or identified by a patient as a stripper-guess what?

Your charting/documentatio could be under review (hope you didn't give a med late in the last few months and I hope you charted everything-correctly)

Your absent/tardiness could be under review

Your interaction with families and patients could be examined

Etc, etc

I've found one very real constant in nursing. If they want to fire you, you will be fired.

inland18mempire · Feb 4, 2009

I just reviewed my policy and procedures this past month. Guess what? I do some things differently than the policy says. So does everyone else I talk to..I was thinking of trying to get the policy changed.
My point?
If my boss wanted to, He could fire me on the spot for no reason at all. But, I'm sure there are lots of things that I don't know I'm doing "wrong".
If you get caught by a coworker, or identified by a patient as a stripper-guess what?
Your charting/documentatio could be under review (hope you didn't give a med late in the last few months and I hope you charted everything-correctly)
Your absent/tardiness could be under review
Your interaction with families and patients could be examined
Etc, etc
I've found one very real constant in nursing. If they want to fire you, you will be fired.

Well, THAT certainly does make me concerned. ALL nurses make mistakes - so I guess they could ostensibly terminate a nurse for giving a med late, but deep down it's because the management is not fond of the nurse.

netglow, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Well shoot! And I thought I had problems. I wear my sunglasses in Target so I won't get recognized by my patients.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

Well, THAT certainly does make me concerned. ALL nurses make mistakes - so I guess they could ostensibly terminate a nurse for giving a med late, but deep down it's because the management is not fond of the nurse.

I know!

Doesn't matter if you're a stripper, dancer, or single mom just surviving....if management wants you out, then you're gonna be in for a hard time.

Ugh. Nursing can be brutal...

Equinox_93 · Feb 4, 2009

I do not recognize stripping as Media so this website and correlation is IMO largely irrelevant.

While a huge number of prostitutes may start out as strippers- one can't make the leap that most, or even necessarily many, strippers become prostitutes.

I don't disagree that there are alot of women who have been sexually violated or abused who do go into sexually oriented trades. What I disagree with is that these are the majority- or a universal fact that holds true for all. My experience, having friends who dance, just doesn't support it.

Of course documentaries, stories etc. are going to focus on women who have been abused and violated and have turned to dancing to make a buck- because the sensationalism and sympathy (or revulsion) it evokes *sells*. They aren't going to spotlight the women who have found it to be an empowering and fun experience because the conservative majority doesn't want to hear that. It threatens their status quo.

Here is a website that has a huge article on the correlation between Media and sexual abuse/rape.
Granted...I understand that this is an anti-Media website and a .com (instead of a .org) website, however, the article has detailed references for every statistic it lists.
A huge number of prostitutes start out as strippers...in fact, it's a huge problem in strip clubs because many girls want that extra money. Strip clubs and the Media industry go hand in hand.
If you have ever watched any documentary, read any detailed story...I personally have rarely seen one where the stripper/prostitute/Media start was not sexually violated in some way when they were younger.

GilaRRT · Feb 4, 2009

Depends. Many of the so called "right to work" areas have a clause built into the paperwork you sign when you are hired. Many people can be fired or quit for no specific reason. Obviously, your union may have other forms of employee protection in place.

As I have said before, I cannot see anything "illegal" with stripping. However, you do admit that the environment is not exactly optimal and nor is it something you are particularly proud of. While it may be legal, considering the long term effects of constant exposure to this environment (both physical and mental) should be considered.

I also understand the money aspect. This is part of the reason I currently live in a war zone. Obviously, you could call me out on the same question I asked above. However, my fellow colleagues and many of my patients view and respect me as a whole person and not some object. Sometimes, I think I even do something to change the world for the better ever so often. Obviously, I can say I am proud of what I do.

So, while I can understand the desire to make money, I still question the long term consequences of placing your self in this environment. Ultimately, you will have to decide the acceptable risk versus benefit.

Equinox_93 · Feb 4, 2009

It is easy to study negative psychological outcomes- you see the subjects dealing with and being treated for the negative condition. How do you objectively study a positive in this case when relating to a purely subjective state?

Are there peer reviewed journal articles that reference, say, the issue of women taking foreign language classes having positive psychological outcomes? I suppose one could study the levels of certain brain chemicals and whatnot on an ongoing basis- but how does one put an objective face on a subjective subject? How do you systematically study a subjective state such as 'empowerment'?

psychological profiles are done all the time as scientific studies.
science is merely knowledge gained through a systematic study facts or principles.
so you're wrong, in that it's impossible.
but i won't laugh at you.
leslie

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

The thing I think about is what is someone who saw you stripping ends up a patient of yours or on your unit and recognizes you. They could give you a hard time, harrass you as they may not see you as a nurse but in the roll they first knew you in--a stripper. Maybe I think about this more as I am a psych nurse and if I ever was to do something like that (just saying) those are the kinds of people I can just see saying--with no judgement or limits-- "Hey I saw you at the ***** club--you were hot baby! Can I see those t*** again, they were nice...come on just give me a peek........hey you guys, check it out did you know our nurse here is a stripper and has a hot body........." See where this is going? I just know my patients and can hear that coming out of their mouths! LOL ....

Maybe if you chose to continue stripping you might want to consider traveling to the next city over if you can and maybe doing a couple days of work then going home.......put some distance between the two jobs and the clientel you may have for each too!

Just my two cents!

GilaRRT · Feb 4, 2009

Ok, then. However, the OP stated that this is not something that makes her particularly proud. In addition, she admitted that the environment has many problems such as drug abuse. She went so far to say that she comes in, gets the job done, and gets out. So, the whole empowerment argument is not applicable to her.

If anything, I feel even more depressed. It is sad that our country is in such bad shape that educated professionals are stripping to make ends meet. I do not think the OP would be doing this if she was doing well financially? This is not empowerment.

Equinox_93 · Feb 4, 2009

Yes. I do. There are some women out there who get off (figuratively speaking) because of the power they hold over those doing the looking. It's the same thing for many actors/actresses- they enjoy the attention- they feel good and enjoy being in the spotlight- dancers just put a sexual spin on that.

Sexuality is more than "tab A" and "slot B"- many believe in sexual "energy", and feel that an exchange of it or manipulation of it is highly erotic and desireable. For those people, the attention and lust that they can generate IS quite fulfilling sexually on that energetic level. It's like a euphoric high. For women such as that- there IS no disconnect- there is no "objectification"- they own their sexuality and they enjoy utilizing it in a playful and powerful manner. Are such women the majority? No. But again- I am merely arguing against the stereotype and generalization. I'd also argue that there is a HUGE difference between the woman who dances because she chose to, didn't feel pressured to and wasn't *desperate* for money- versus the woman who *was* pressured, and was financially desperate. Anytime anyone is forced into a situation they don't choose- there are going to be negative psychological effects. However- many college girls find the money, hours and workout-on-the-clock to be a painless, fast and easy way to make a buck and don't have an issue with it at all.

I don't disagree that society in general is still prudish and conservative. What I am saying is that in many areas- generally in more urban and younger communities- and in many college towns especially- stripping isn't *nearly* the social taboo it used to be, and in many cases in such regions/subcultures is viewed with no more stigma than waiting tables.

I think it is a myth that the sex industry is almost exclusively male defined. It used to be- certainly- but anymore women are making up larger and larger percentages of the consumer and *owner* base. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE0DA113DF933A15751C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1

Again- my argument is mainly against the generalization factor and the presumption that anyone can judge for someone else what is or isn't empowering/positive/etc. :)

Do you really feel stripping has anything to do with women dancers expressing their sexuality? Or is it getting relatively good pay for fulfilling sexual need of the viewer. I have never heard a woman involved in the sex industry describing her work as sexually fulfilling. In fact, everything I have been exposed to expresses quite the opposite. If we are talking about fulfilling female sexuality or tapping our sensuality, I believe we would be having a different discussion. The sex industry is almost exclusively male defined, and is based on male need. It is providing a service, in whatever form.
I am not afraid of my sexuality/sensuality and am not a prude. I am also not an object. Part of the beauty of truly tapping sensuality is expression which is deeper than the purely superficial. Everything I have seen posted reinforces the belief that women actually disconnect from their bodies and sexuality to "perform". That disconnect can only fracture the true essense of sensuality.
If strippers are so liberated and revered, why did the OP have her original question? Because there is shame and societal judgment involved in participating in the sex industry. Obviously, or she wouldn't have been worried in the first place. There are painful compromises and little honor found in this industry populated primarily with women who do not have options. And ultimately, repercussions for us all.

Equinox_93 · Feb 4, 2009

Yes- the discussion did drift, as discussions tend to do, from the OP to stripping in general, when people decided to bring their moral judgements into the picture (when they were not asked for. The OP asked about the legality- not other people's moral objections).

Ok, then. However, the OP stated that this is not something that makes her particularly proud. In addition, she admitted that the environment has many problems such as drug abuse. She went so far to say that she comes in, gets the job done, and gets out. So, the whole empowerment argument is not applicable to her.
If anything, I feel even more depressed. It is sad that our country is in such bad shape that educated professionals are stripping to make ends meet. I do not think the OP would be doing this if she was doing well financially? This is not empowerment.

Equinox_93 · Feb 4, 2009

They can fire me at will? Even if I'm union?

If you live in an at-will employment state- sure they can. Even if they don't directly state that it's because of you stripping- it's very easy to find a "justified" reason for firing someone. Being in a union isn't like being a teacher with tenure...