[matthiasj]

Well i am a 19 year old male finishing up my first semester of college. I plan to start the nursing program in the fall, but i've been doing some research and asking around and it seems like everyone i talk to that is a nurse either hates it with a passion, or isnt making any money doing it. This makes me unsure about the whole profession, and i was just wanting some firsthand advice from some actual male nurses.

Thanks

[The unexplainable Moo Cow]

Hello Matthiasj

Loving your profession

Since graduating high school I've tried many different things. I started off as an electrician working with commercial accounts. I loved the trade (and still do) but at that time, working MN shift rewiring lighting balasts in K-Marts didn't turn out to be "my thing". Didn't really know how to handle the shift, lack of sleep and lack of nutrition; so I quit and began working in retail. I then wanted to try my hand at the fire acadamy. The first 4 weeks or so I felt too immature for such a responsibility and quit this also. I believe my main problem was no encouragement from family, friends or instructors.

I went back into retail and then landed a job with General Motors, a desk job coordinating company vehicles for executives. This job was quite fun because I got to learn of all the great new vehicles coming out in the industry. I became very proficient in my job and made my manager and customers very happy with the service my team provided. However, it turned out to be a "dead end" as there was no room for autonomy or critical thinking or advancement.

One night a friend suggested I go into nursing. I had been in and out of school aimlessly since high school and acquired a lot of credits that all I needed were my science prerequisites. Three and a half years later here I am a new RN typing this message to you. And I still owe my friend a nice cold beer for his suggestion.

Hitting bottom dollar

The question of making money in the profession of nursing is quite relative to the person. I currently make more money now than probably most of the US population. I don't consider myself to be "rich", but I'm certainly more well off than I was 3 1/2 years ago.

You'll need to further your research by picking up a local newspaper and peeking at their job listings for RNs. Better yet, go to your local hospital's website and look at what they pay RNs. If you're impressed or satisfied by what you see, call that hospital up and set up a date and time where you can shadow a RN for a 4 hour stint. Observe what they do, ask lots of questions. Make sure this is what you want to do.

Additionally, as an RN you are not confined to floor nursing, especially with a BSN. If they could make a list of all things you could do as an RN, typed it out in size 10 font and gave it to you to read, you'd vomit because the list would be so long. I would have to administer Phenergan 25 mg IVP q.6.hours prn to relieve your nausea.

I love nursing because I get to work with my hands, use my brain, and help people all at the same time. We are professionals and the public looks up to us for their healthcare needs. I once heard a veteran nurse say, "People trust nurses. They will show you things that they won't show their mother and tell you things they won't tell their priest." The profession is very rewarding. On the bad days, just remember that you did your job and more also; and now you get to punch out and go home, enjoying the 4/7 days off of work for the week. Exercise, eat healthy and treat yourself when needed, and continue studying since there is always more to learn.

Keep us updated on your progress and have fun.

[SoldierNurse]

Moo Cow,

That was an excellent post! You will be a valuable Ultimate Nurse member and I encourage you to post often!