I'm a 45 year old union electrician in Chicago looking to change careers. My mom was an RN and my sister is as well. I've been doing the research on all potential challenges that may come my way. I feel I have the people skills and a high degree of patience and compassion for people. I'm concerned though about the environment. What can I expect?
Rob
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January 15th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Personally, I love it when a few male nurses are on my shift. It breaks up the estrogen. They have a different prospective, which is a big help. Sometimes we females don’t know what’s going on in a patient’s head (usually male patient) and a male nurse knows instantly. We females never treat male nurses with less respect or assume they are gay. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Doctors tend to respect men more (though I hate that, being female). They don’t tend to get mouthy to a person who can look them in the eye. Perhaps I need a step stool!
We had a male in our nursing class who is in his 40s who changed careers. His biggest adjustment was working with only men to working with mostly women. The elderly men and women sometimes asked him if he was the doctor, and were surprised when he said he was a nurse. But, elderly people also think we women need to have 8 babies. My preceptor, a man, gently corrected our patient’s family member who kept saying, “He’s just a nurse, but he’s smart enough to be a doctor.” He said he’s perfectly happy being a nurse, and “just” the nurses were carefully keeping her loved one alive while the doctor was away. In fact, when he was younger and landed in the ER, a man in scrubs came into his room and he assumed he was the doctor because he was so knowledgeable — when he said, “No, I’m your nurse. Your doctor will be in here soon,” he decided he wanted to go into nursing. He was inspired by another male nurse. If you think you’ll love it, go for it! We need more of you!!
January 15th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
well, i certainly hope so… i too, @45 years old am going into nursing…insted of hurting people for a living, i think i’ll be happier helping people…(22 years in Corrections)
January 15th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Male nurses are needed in this profession. Mixture is good. It is still man’s world. May be, male nurses will attract respect to this noble profession.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Well, what you can expect is what you yourself intend to achieve in this profession. I never have met much resistance to me being a nurse, from my colleagues or anyone I know as a friend. One friend even told me I would have a killer degree when I graduated, which I took as a huge compliment from him.
Basically, if show up for work, do your duties to the best of your ability, be respectful even when it is sometimes hard to do so, show passion (even if it sometimes means showing some anger on occasion; but saying you’re sorry for it later) and essentially make yourself someone they know they can depend on, you won’t find much strife or difficulty being a nurse. Your wits will be tested, frequently from nurses, doctors, patients, and family alike; you’ll feel like pulling your hair out by the scalp on many occasions; you may even use a curse word or two, but as long as you always remember that your ultimate goal is the care and needs of the patients under your responsibility, you can’t go wrong being a nurse, male or female.
Be yourself and be a nurse at the same time. Just don’t watch Meet the Parents alot, it will drag you down.:) Funny, but paints a bad portrait of how being a male nurse is portrayed and truly is just Hollywood’s concept.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Hi Rob,
I went into nusing as a career change a few years ago and I am 40 years old. It by far is the most rewarding job I have ever had. My friends and family often hear me say, that I might have some long days, but I rarely have a bad day.
As Laura said, some doctors do seem to respect male nurses more than female nurses. I don’t care for this as my female coworkers are some of the brightest, most competent individuals I have had the pleasure to work with, and darn sure deserving of respect.
I do occasionally hear comments about male nurses being gay. I am former Marine, happily married, and could care less what some individual thinks about me in this regard.
Best of luck to you in this pursuit.
January 16th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Hello everyone, thanks so much for responding. I’ve been reading a variety of blogs trying to get a feel for where I might fit in. There seems to be a lot of choices. Based on all the blogs each area has enough craziness. I’m excited and cautious at the same time. In the electrical field, I’m constantly on guard for MY safety. My hand are often two inches away from serious injury or death. Many of you may have had the unfortunate opportunity to witness electrical injuries as well as other construction injuries. Add to that the elements, crappy working conditions, boorish and irresponsible co-workers and the constant pressure and anxiety to complete the job on time and under budget(I’m a forman) and it becomes a twenty four hour a day job. The worst part is when I get laid-off. I get a number and have to wait for my number to come up before I can get a job. Right now there are 1300 people ahead of me. This is why I’m considering a change. I’m thinking I can do both. It seems that new grads are forced to work nights which might not be bad for me. Is starting out part time possible? I’m married and I’m an empty nester. My wife is excited about the prospect of this. She is seven years older then me and wants to retire. I need a stable career in order for this to happen. This is why I”m considering this move. My mom hates the idea. One last thing, does the school you go to really make a difference? There are many options in Chicago and I’m not sure which way to go. People tell me to get an associate degree, pass the license test and then let the hospital pay for the rest of your college. Any thoughts?
January 16th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Hi Rob,
Like others that have responded I too am a male nurse in my 40’s, I decided to go into nursing when I was 37. Like you I too carefully researched the major career change I was about to embark upon and like you, I too, was concerned about the finances of the adventure. I live and work in the UK so my experience will not be quite the same as yours. That said, I decided to do a diploma first because it came with a small bursary. Combined with some practical advice from my bank manager over the mortgage and taking in a lodger I was able to survive the 3 years of students life. I then qualified and worked for two years before going back to do my degree.
Currently I have just completed my nurse practitioners training (part-time) and am now in the middle of my nurse prescribing course (part-time). My final bit of studying will be to gain my masters once I have had a long break.
At first I struggled with the academic side but am now ok with it; I have learned so much and with our analytical minds the evidence based practice suits our male brains.
Have the fruits of my labour (or is it labor?) all been worth it? Yes!
I have a job I really enjoy, I am now an independent nurse practitioner who can see, treat and discharge his own patients. I have a secure job (they will always need nurses). I have plenty of career opportunities, I can specialise if I want or, in my case, mix and match; I work both in the hospital A&E (ER) department and out on the road with the ambulance crews as an emergency nurse practitioner visiting patients and hopefully, preventing unecessary admissions.
My opinion is that you need some experience under your belt before working part time. I did full time permanent nights before going onto bank. Now I pick and choose what shifts I do, great for family gatherings, holidays and special occasions.
I have had no problems with my man-liness being a nurse, in fact it has served me well. I am appreciated an respected by my female peers as I respect and appreciate them.
Good luck.
Rich.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Go for it. I am a 34 year old student nurse. Find a 2 year program and work your butt off! Your life will stop for a little bit but you’ll love it