Comments on: More male nurses needed

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:52:46 +0000

I’ve worked in hospitals for almost 30 years now and have been an RN with an associates degree for 20 years. Most of my experience is in Emergency but I have also held positions in ICU/CCU, OR, and PACU. I worked as a traveling nurse for 13 years, working a range of 2-bed ERs to 65 bed ERs. Inter-city trauma centers to extremely rural clinics. Having only my ADN has never hindered me from obtaining a job. I’ve started back twice to obtain my BSN but both times became discouraged with the curriculum and with what seemed like an encouragement to pull me away from hands-on, bed-side nursing which is what I value most. I have no interest in “moving up the ladder” into management which is where a BSN or Master’s degree is often preferred, though not always required. As for pay, each of the past 4 years I’ve grossed between 104K and 112K. Granted, I work nights, weekends, some overtime, but that’s where I get my “play” money. There’s something for everyone in nursing. I turn 50 this year and am glad I made the choices I did.

By: Donald Wood

Donald Wood — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:25:23 +0000

Nine percent is probably double what the percentage was when I became a nurse (1973). I’ve never regretted my choice one bit. I worked ER as an orderly (talk about old terminology) and stayed there after graduation. Went on to work ICU after that and then went on to nurse anesthesia school in 1975. Still taking care of patients today.
I believe nursing is gradually shaking its image as a ‘feminine’ career and we will start to see more men in nursing.

By: Bradford

Bradford — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 01:37:34 +0000

Stay with your six figure income. I have been in the health field for 20 years, am a BSN, and BSRT, and most all the nurses I know want out of nursing. The pay sucks, hours are long, and administration will not help you. There is no nursing shortage, there is a shortage of practicing nurses, who left the field for various reasons, not the least of which is low pay. The gold ring of nursing is CRNA or NP. I would choose to become a physicians assistant, have more autonomy, not be under the tripolar board of nursing, and make a decent living. Training is intense, but in the end rewarding. You will always be able to get a job in nursing, the aging baby boomers will need care, but if you also need to make a living, better keep your job. Lots of nurses I know work multiple jobs to make ends meet. In the end, no matter how benevolent or self sacrificing you are, economics will win. It is good that there are those who do go to nursing to help others and this is noble. But being male, I am the primary bread winner. I would love to trade nursing for the six figure income, and have a life after work without the worry to make ends meet. I am now 50 years old. There is no retirement in nursing, have made mine in real estate rental property. Think hard about leaving the income you have. I find satisfaction volunteering at the local animal shelter, helping to care for all the
“Babies” there, who need lots of love too. Also volunteer at nursing homes, as there are many seniors who have no one to love them. You can do this, keep your income, and help others.
If you really want to do nursing, all the better, and go for it. Just understand that the income isn’t there, and like your present job, you could very well end up despising also, just with less income. Administration is full of back stabbing and politics, better think about a mba for that area in addition to BSN.

By: nursewendy

nursewendy — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:49:30 +0000

Dan, this is a difficult decision…I personally chose to go through an ADN program first and then I went back for my BSN. I did this because I had 4 small children and needed to get through school as quickly as I could. If money is a big issue, I might say go ahead and do the ADN first…but if you can make it a little longer the BSN program would be more beneficial in the end I believe. Most hospitals today are looking for BSN prepared nurses, and I would imagine they would get hired over an ADN if the hospital had a choice. I am not saying an ADN does not make a good nurse….just that there is more education with a BSN and a little more understanding of the WHYS of nursing…whereas ADN focuses more on the HOWS…

Ultimately it is your decision….hope this helps some Thanks for reading!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:26:26 +0000

I have found the posts on this website extremely helpful. I am a 26 year old male and am strongly considering going back to school to become an RN. I currently hold a Master’s degree in Spanish and taught high school for three years…Needless to say nursing would be a total change, but one that I am excited about. My dilemma is whether to enter an Associates program or an accelerated BSN program. I am leaning towards the accelerated program, but am concerned about the cost…the associates program is significantly less expensive. Do you have any advice regarding the two paths? Thanks in advance!

By: nursewendy

nursewendy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:52:33 +0000

Aww nerves are definitely not unusual! I am still in school, getting my Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner license, and I promise I still get nervous!

By: nursewendy

nursewendy — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:49:49 +0000

Thank you Brandon for your response. There are so many areas in nursing. If you are not sure what area you might like you could try a float position where you can try out several areas until you find the one that fits you. Most hospitals have a nursing resource float pool.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:39:24 +0000

Hi, I have spent the past year beating around idea’s in my head, of what I want to do with my life. I earned an associates degree in business year’s ago and have never seen any real benefit from it. I recently got married to a wonderful and extremely sharp nurse. She is an RN in the ER, and is always full of interesting stories, day in and day out. I have met many of her co-workers both male and female, and have to say that the medical field seems really fun to work within. I have recently decided that I am going to take some classes to see if Nursing is right for me. I love the idea of helping people of all ages, as well as the ever changing environment. I think I handle myself well in highly stressfull situations, but am not sure the ER is someplace I’d want to start, can anyone give me some other good nursing field’s of work?? I am brand new to the idea and any advice for getting off on the right foot would be appreciated. Thanks so much, this is really an interesting page that has reinforced my thinking that Nursing is something I should do, thanks for creating this awesome information.

By: David

David — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:21:31 +0000

I’ve been reading many articles on this website, and I have to say they’re quite helpful. I’ve just recently made the decision to become an RN. I’m having a kind of anxiety, if you will, towards the matter and articles such as this along with many of your other ones reinforce my decision. My mom is a M.A. for a Cardiologist at the University of Tennessee. I had the privilege of shadowing said Cardiologist for a while, that’s when I came to my conclusion. I’ll be going back to spectate an operation very soon.

I just thought I’d share this. I already have a degree in CIS, but I can’t visualize myself behind a 10×10 cubicle for the rest of my life. Not to mention the economy hasn’t been very kind either, however, it’s not a matter of money. I can say, that I’m already nervous. Is that normal?

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:51:23 +0000

I think one thing about getting more men into nursing (will we EVER get rid of the moniker “male nurse”-my license and diploma make no mention of gender) is that it will create more FULL TIME people in the profession.

It’s pretty rare to find a man who is a nurse who works less than .8 or .9-at least that has been my experience. I think for a lot of reform to take place in healthcare and in nursing, we need more men in the nursing profession.