(5) What was the worst time you ever had as a
nurse?
That's an easy one.
Within five years of graduating, I found myself in
the head nurse position of a 250 bed hospital in a mid-sized, beach front
town in Florida........AND A HURRICANE WAS HEADED OUR
WAY.
When everyone else in town was evacuating to safer
ground, I and my three kids aged 5, 3 and 1, were moving into the hospital
for an "extended stay". I was divorced at the time and there was no other
way.
After three days of 24 hour shifts tending to
patients, and not-so-patient children, we returned to a home that was only
slightly damaged. And I had exactly six hours before I was expected
back at the hospital.
If you're going to be a nurse, get used to being on
call, working holidays and weekends and just "being there" when
needed.
(6) Any advice for nursing students?
Just the obvious.........STUDY AND LEARN. And I mean
really LEARN. What you are studying could someday save a
life.
(7) I'm a man. Should I consider a nursing
career?
I don't know you personally so this answer has to be
very general.
But, I will say that many men make wonderful nurses.
Caring and nurturing are not strictly female characteristics by any means.
Some of the best nurses I have known have been men.
And as sexist as it may sound, your physical
strength is often a tremendous benefit.
