The Nurse

[chuckie]

I am a nurse

Let me help.
Let me be your guide.

I am your friend and your companion.

You come to me when you are hurting,
when you need advice.

I am there in the morning.
I am there through the night.
I’m here through the dark,
and into the light.

I feel I am useful,
although I’m never quite sure.
You tell me I’m special,
and yet I am poor.

I want to be helpful,
I want a full purse.

I know it won’t happen,

I am a Nurse.

You tell me I’m good,
I’m sure I’m not bad.
I love being me,
that’s because I’m called
Dad!

[SoldierNurse]

As a former single parent Dad [now married], male nurse, and Super Moderator I'd like to say that poem is so good it is now a 'sticky'.

:thumbsup:

[Ricu]

Hi folks,

I haven't ever seen this poem but it touched a nerve in me. Throughout the verses, there seems to be the occasional pang- not feeling worthy, not feeling adequate, and so on. Funny thing is that when I read the last line- "because I'm called Dad," it all fell into place. As a father, and "at home" parent, I fully understand the imposed feelings of inadequacy. While it was a conscious decision for us and my wife has always been very supportive of my being the at home parent, it was often difficult socially especially, because we homeschooled out kids. If any of you are familiar with this situation, the homeschool environment is almost exclusively overseen by mothers and many are right-wing fundamentalist Christians who have rigid views on sexrole stereotypes. You can imagine what some of my challenges were as a male nurse and "at home" parent whose wife was at work during the day. It didn't matter that I worked fulltime nights and that my wife enjoyed her career and was good at it. Needless to say, many of those "Christian" ladies in their homemade denim jumpers were judgemental and downright cruel both to me and my kids. It's been more than ten years now and it seems that the climate is a little more favorable for men in this situation. In fact, stay-at-home-dads, or SAHDs as they're called now, are quite common, even celebrated now. Until these very recent times, we men have been socialized to be "other than" sensitive and nurturing. It's very understandable how the author could have felt unsure and incompetent in the "art" of nursing. Even now, it seems to be the case that the environment is anything but supportive for men in the field. Change is in the wind and exciting things are happening as contributors to these strands are showing.

Thanks Chuckie, for posting this piece.

R

[The King]

Hi folks,

I haven't ever seen this poem but it touched a nerve in me. Throughout the verses, there seems to be the occasional pang- not feeling worthy, not feeling adequate, and so on. Funny thing is that when I read the last line- "because I'm called Dad," it all fell into place. As a father, and "at home" parent, I fully understand the imposed feelings of inadequacy. While it was a conscious decision for us and my wife has always been very supportive of my being the at home parent, it was often difficult socially especially, because we homeschooled out kids. If any of you are familiar with this situation, the homeschool environment is almost exclusively overseen by mothers and many are right-wing fundamentalist Christians who have rigid views on sexrole stereotypes. You can imagine what some of my challenges were as a male nurse and "at home" parent whose wife was at work during the day. It didn't matter that I worked fulltime nights and that my wife enjoyed her career and was good at it. Needless to say, many of those "Christian" ladies in their homemade denim jumpers were judgemental and downright cruel both to me and my kids. It's been more than ten years now and it seems that the climate is a little more favorable for men in this situation. In fact, stay-at-home-dads, or SAHDs as they're called now, are quite common, even celebrated now. Until these very recent times, we men have been socialized to be "other than" sensitive and nurturing. It's very understandable how the author could have felt unsure and incompetent in the "art" of nursing. Even now, it seems to be the case that the environment is anything but supportive for men in the field. Change is in the wind and exciting things are happening as contributors to these strands are showing.

Thanks Chuckie, for posting this piece.

R

Jazus lads, toughen up! Ye'll be crying in open arms soon...:confused:

[Ricu]

Hi "King,"
So, Does it bother you that sensitive males like me exist? Would it bother you if I cried in your presence? While I have a sensitive side, actually, I'm pretty strong, emotionally. I deal with things as they come and then let them go. I have nothing hanging in my "closet. How about you? Do you tough it out? People I know who do that either drink their pain away or have anger management issues. What is your experience?

R

[Educator Nurse]

I want to be helpful,
I want a full purse.

that's fantastic ..
It's nice to all nurses helps the humans in the world ..

we are loving the nursing job ..

good luck for all ..