Nursing

Butterfly16 · 08-13-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

I think you missed slap_j's joke there

He wasn't referring to healthcare, so much as the care & feeding of infants in the familial sense

Yep totally did. I have these moments sometimes

OiBoyz · 08-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap_j

I would like to be a wet nurse but it seems that a male very rarely finds work in that profession.

You could be a pacifier. Or maybe not.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 08-13-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OiBoyz

You could be a pacifier. Or maybe not.

Like Vin Diesel.

tyronelab · 08-13-2009, 04:49 PM

I'm about to start 3rd year of a medicine degree, so if all works out well, in 3 years it'll be Dr. Tyronelab.

Have to admit that it's sometimes great fun winding up nursing friends of mine about how in a few years I'll be telling them what to do (as even though nursing is as important, there is still the misconception that nursing is a 2nd class health profession under medicine).

OiBoyz · 08-13-2009, 05:35 PM

When you are a doctor, remember this one thing: Be good to your nurses. They can save your @ss or make your life miserable.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 08-13-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyronelab

Have to admit that it's sometimes great fun winding up nursing friends of mine about how in a few years I'll be telling them what to do (as even though nursing is as important, there is still the misconception that nursing is a 2nd class health profession under medicine).

You are in the UK, right? I got that impression from another thread. Nurses are much more autonomous in the US as I understand it. SO in some senses joking around like that would be received even more hostilely. On my wife's unit, such treatment would not be thought of as fun and would result in you getting second rate (if that) assistance.

tyronelab · 08-13-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billgamesh

You are in the UK, right? I got that impression from another thread. Nurses are much more autonomous in the US as I understand it. SO in some senses joking around like that would be received even more hostilely. On my wife's unit, such treatment would not be thought of as fun and would result in you getting second rate (if that) assistance.

They are students in nursing, and I'm a student of medicine. Neither of us have graduated yet. Trust me, in a ward situation with an actual nurse, you wouldn't do it. In a professional situation I wouldn't do it, for you would end up annoying a vital aspect of the treatment of a patient, and anyway, I'd not be that mean to someone who didn't know I was joking.

In a ward situation, you'd be making enemies of people who you wouldn't want to make enemies of, and in a multi-disciplinary situation, no job is more important in a ward than any other, even if there is a chain of command.

As a student going into the hospital for the first time this year, I'll be relying on the nurses to help get information about patients, and helping show me how to do skills that the consultant don't do or don't have time to do. Keeping on the right side of the nurses is vital, and anyway, no point annoying someone for the sake of feeling better (even if you ignore the pride is sin angle) about yourself.

jthomas1600 · 08-13-2009, 09:28 PM

My moms been a nurse for almost 50 years...that's right almost 50 years. She hasn't practiced full time all those years, she was busy raising 6 kids for a while. But for the last 25 years she has worked in the OB dept. in Tillamook Oregon. My sisters been a nurse for 20+ years, my little brother has been a nurse for a few years and is continuing his eduction to become a nurse practitioner, and one other sister is currently in nursing school. (my dad and one sister are doctors, but I guess that's for another thread) Any way, all this to say, from what I can see it is an excellent profession to be in. My mom pretty much just works when she wants to. When my parents want to travel they do, and when they get back she reports in and they can't wait to get her back on the floor.

**MtlMom** · 08-13-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoestring

Mom, it's funny that you should mention this. I have been struggling with my job for several months now. I work with a bunch of idiots. **I wonder if I could nurse them back to sanity?** I have been considering going back to school for something. I'm not sure what I want to do though. I remember when I was young that I always wanted to be a doctor. I did become an EMT once. I let that expire though.

Like I have told you in the past, I think you to be very wise, and I trust what you say. I am thinking about it right now.

How long does it take to become a nurse? What all is involved? I'm sure you can tell us all of the benefits of nursing, but what would be the downfalls?

You can get through an ADN program in 2 1/2 to 3 years in the US. A lot of community colleges offer ADN programs (AS degree), so you can get through a program for a pretty reasonable price. You start with nursing prerequisites, which include classes like chemistry, microbiology, physiology, anatomy, statistics, etc. You have other core classes to take, of course - but for anyone who has attended college you may have taken some of those already. Once you complete the prerequisites, you apply to the nursing program. Some programs are pretty easy to get into, some are harder, depending on demand. Once you are in the program it's usually 2 years for an AS, 3 years for a BS. That varies with the school, of course.

Downsides -

It is a tremendous responsibility. A person's life depends on you knowing your stuff, and that can be pretty scary.
Patients are sometimes verbally abusive, rude and crude - and there's not much you can do about it.
It's hard work - physically, mentally, and sometimes spiritually. Nurses burn out faster than any other profession.
Ethical issues. Sometimes "right" is not always clear. End of life issues can be very emotionally charged, and family members can try your patience and break your heart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyronelab

I'm about to start 3rd year of a medicine degree, so if all works out well, in 3 years it'll be Dr. Tyronelab.

Have to admit that it's sometimes great fun winding up nursing friends of mine about how in a few years I'll be telling them what to do (as even though nursing is as important, there is still the misconception that nursing is a 2nd class health profession under medicine).

Good luck with your schooling and your career! Just remember that if give a nurse a hard time by day, they will find reasons to call you in the middle of the night. It's something they coordinate during shift report.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

My moms been a nurse for almost 50 years...that's right almost 50 years. She hasn't practiced full time all those years, she was busy raising 6 kids for a while. But for the last 25 years she has worked in the OB dept. in Tillamook Oregon. My sisters been a nurse for 20+ years, my little brother has been a nurse for a few years and is continuing his eduction to become a nurse practitioner, and one other sister is currently in nursing school. (my dad and one sister are doctors, but I guess that's for another thread) Any way, all this to say, from what I can see it is an excellent profession to be in. My mom pretty much just works when she wants to. When my parents want to travel they do, and when they get back she reports in and they can't wait to get her back on the floor.

Another testimony!

I do want to add that a person should only go into nursing if they have the heart for it. If you enjoy helping people, there's a good chance that you would enjoy nursing.

**Gustin** · 08-13-2009, 10:41 PM

Both my parents were nurses at one point... my mom still is and does homecare for high risk pregnancies. My dad's become a PA in orthopedic surgery. They both love/d nursing.

And for the single ones... they met in the O.R. Just sayin'.

tyronelab · 08-13-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtlMom

Good luck with your schooling and your career! Just remember that if give a nurse a hard time by day, they will find reasons to call you in the middle of the night. It's something they coordinate during shift report.

There is the no1 reason to be nice to nurses - sleep is precious.

OiBoyz · 08-26-2009, 02:26 PM

MtlMom, I was thinking of you last night at work. We had a newbie who needed needle practice, so I volunteered my arm, so all the nurses were standing around giving tips (it was kind of a quiet night) and they were talking about how to find veins etc... I was wondering if guitar fingers hamper that skill? Then I realized that I didn't know if you are a guitar player.

**dogfood** · 12-07-2009, 04:01 AM

actually just after having been to a hospital this last weekend, and seeing what such cool people nurses are, i dunno i may head that way. at the moment im become a qualafied support person, so im going to go with this for the moment.

***Art*** · 12-07-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OiBoyz

MtlMom, I was thinking of you last night at work. We had a newbie who needed needle practice, so I volunteered my arm, so all the nurses were standing around giving tips (it was kind of a quiet night) and they were talking about how to find veins etc... I was wondering if guitar fingers hamper that skill? Then I realized that I didn't know if you are a guitar player.

She's not, and the answer is no. Guitar playing does not seem to hurt that skill.

**MtlMom** · 12-17-2009, 08:41 AM

I suppose I should subscribe to this, I completely missed the question.

When I was doing pediatrics I think it would have made a difference. With adults we rely on sight much more than in pediatrics where it's all about finding the spongy skin that suggests there's a vein somewhere in there. I remember when we were all told that we had to wear gloves to start IVs - we thought we would never be able to hit a vein again, but we adapted. There is no reason for a guitar player to worry about developing IV skills.

These days I start an IV once a year at the Competency Fair and occasionally if I'm one of the first responders to a Code Blue, but that's about it.

I have a nurse who brings in his guitar a few times a year and plays for the patients. They absolutely love it. We also have a flute player who can get a smile out of the grumpiest of patients.