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When I first decided to enter the nursing profession, I really had no idea what I was getting into. I hadn’t grown up wanting to be a nurse, nor did I give it much thought beforehand.

But I was bored and miserable working for the U.S. Postal Service and had to find something that was a lot more mentally stimulating. My mother, who is a nurse, suggested that I pursue nursing. I thought, “That’s a woman’s profession! Why would I want to do that?”

MYTH #1: NURSING IS A WOMAN’S PROFESSION

The idea of nursing being only a “woman’s profession” has given way to the idea that anyone can be a nurse. The number of men in nursing is steadily increasing, and that’s a good thing. There’s plenty of room under the nursing umbrella for both men and women.

Many so-called “manly men” like policemen and firemen pursue second careers in nursing after they retire. The step seems to be a logical one, since policemen and firemen are caretakers (of sorts) to begin with.

Variables such as flexibility of schedule, excellent pay and the daily challenges of nursing make the job very rewarding. The scientific and methodical approach to nursing is also what I would call “man-friendly.”

MYTH #2: MEN AREN’T EMOTIONALLY SUITED TO NURSING

What drew me to nursing, not as a man but as a human, was the interaction with people and the reward of helping others. That is a universal truth for nurses, be they male or female. I like to get people’s stories (some are heartbreaking, and some are quite funny), finding out as much as I can about them, the way they live and who is around to assist them with their needs.

These are important aspects of caring for patients that only nurses think about while devising a plan of care. I believe that the nursing approach of caring for the entire individual should be the standard for all of those working in the healthcare field.

MYTH #3: MALE NURSES ARE JUST “WANNA BE” DOCTORS

Yes, from a man’s perspective, there are a lot of positive and negative aspects of nursing. One negative aspect is the assumption that we couldn’t hack med school. That’s obviously not the case for most of us.

Interestingly, being a male nurse truly gives us an advantage when dealing with most doctors. Doctors treat male nurses a bit differently than our female counterparts. I’ve seen many doctors talk to female nurses in ways they never would to a man.

BUT FINALLY, SOME TRUTHS ABOUT MALE NURSES

Even though I’ve debunked some myths, there are still a few “stigmas” about being a man in nursing. First, for the most part, you won’t ever get to work in a maternity ward! Second, I’ve found that a lot of young female patients are embarrassed about having a male nurse. (I always thought this was peculiar, though, seeing that most of their doctors were men!)

If a patient was uncomfortable having me as her nurse, I never took it personally. Being a nurse, I adapted and improvised. I’d simply switch that particular patient assignment with one of my female coworkers, and the problem was solved.

SO WHY SHOULD MEN PURSUE NURSING AS A CAREER?

Males are actually ideally suited to both the pressures and excitement of nursing. I’ve always liked comparing the nursing approach to that of the U.S. Marines: They adapt, improvise and overcome. Working just one nursing shift will prove that point!

Men also have a very different perspective than women on a lot of things, and it’s a good thing having them in the profession.

All in all, I love the label “male nurse” (but not murse!) When people ask me, “What’s it like being a male nurse?” I usually reply, “The ‘male’ part I’ve got down—it’s the ‘nurse’ part that takes a lot of hard work!”

I attended a “going-home ceremony” for a dear friend recently. I was inspired to write this article thanks to a profound, truthful statement the clergyman said in his fiery, passion-filled voice: “Funny thing about life…none of us gets out alive!”

As a nurse, I’m no stranger to death. Every human being will die—it’s a question of how, when, where and why. These are the variables that we nurses face almost every day while caring for our patients. Although we’re always hopeful and optimistic about each patient’s positive outcome, sometimes we pray that death will come for a patient before their loved ones are placed in the often grueling position of making monumental decisions about life and death. This brings me to the question “Are we allowed to die?”

In the current environment of DNRs, health care proxies and advanced directives, we would like to think that we have a say in the matter. These are supposed to be assurances for our wishes should we become incapacitated. As nurses, we often find that these wishes go unheard, unnoticed or even ignored. Family members who are put into the position of making decisions are often overwhelmed with emotional distress due to a large number of factors. They may feel obligated, or even guilted, into doing “something, anything” to “help” their loved one. They encounter the slippery slope of what is the appropriate amount of care and what is “too much” care.

Have we, as health care practitioners, become so cavalier in our thinking that we don’t acknowledge death as part of life? Should we keep people alive just because we can? I’d like to think that quality of life always takes precedence over quantity. In other words, if you can’t give me my life, or some sense of what it used to be, then don’t keep me alive just because you can. Death is inevitable. None of us can avoid it, no matter what we do. What we need is the ability to maintain some sense of dignity as we approach the end.

We have two obligations: We must make our own end-of-life wishes clear, and as nurses we must ensure that our patients’ wishes are met. These decisions are just as important as the many other decisions we make concerning our, and our patients’, health. I welcome your thoughts and your feedback.

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So you’ve thought about becoming a traveling nurse. You ’ve imagined yourself basking under the desert skies of Arizona, frolicking on the sun-soaked beaches of Los Angeles — and not just for a vacation, but as your lifestyle.

But wait. Forget the exotic travel for a minute — what is the job really? Being a nurse brings enough of its own challenges, no matter the specialty. Who wants the added pressure of navigating unfamiliar hospitals with every single assignment? What if you get to a new location and you keep getting lost? What if you don’t know where anything is? What if no one will help? How many times can you go through that?

James DeMaria, Vice President of Renal Care Registered Nursing Services in Nanuet, N.Y., has been providing acute hemodialysis and acute apheresis services to some of the Northeast’s largest hospitals and caregiving facilities. Transporting equipment and providing patient care to different locations on a daily basis has made him an expert on the ins and outs of traveling nurse etiquette.

Jim made his transition to travel nursing from med surge in 2000 and has never looked back. Check out his list of first-day-on-the-job dos and don ’ ts to learn his secrets to managing the job and enjoying it.

• Arrive with the right attitude. Being in unfamiliar territory can quickly make you anxious. Remember to have an open mind. You became a traveling nurse precisely to break up the monotony, so embrace the challenge!
• Meet the unit secretary. Only second in importance to the floor manager, the unit secretary knows where everything is
• Learn people’s names. It’s as simple as that. Learn people’s names. Remember people’s names!
• Be helpful. When you’re helpless, be helpful. When you have a question, chances are everyone around you will be in the middle of something. Instead of interrupting a busy fellow nurse, why not offer her assistance in lifting her patient into a bed? Earn your right to be inquisitive by being a team player.
• Pay attention to detail. As the outsider, you’re the low man on the totem pole. That means when something goes wrong, fingers are going to be pointed at you. Pay extra attention to detail and fill out all proper documentation.

Don’t…

• Be shy. When you’re trying to learn the lay of the land, you must not be afraid to ask questions. But be friendly. As Jim would put it, “There’s a way to be assertive without being a nudge.”
• Make up your own rules. As a traveling nurse, you’re essentially a guest in someone’s house. Act accordingly.
• Be exclusive. Make every person you meet your friend and ally. “You never know what you’re going to need,” says Jim. “I work with water a lot in what I do, so I get to know the maintenance people. If they remember you as a nice guy, as a friend, they’ll help you out.”
• Take things personally. Not everyone will remember your name. Or worse, they’ll call you by the wrong name. Instead of getting irritated, diffuse the awkwardness by making a good-natured joke. Enjoy yourself. Laugh.
• Forget that you’re a great nurse. As with starting out in anything, your first experiences as a traveling nurse will be filled with some degree of uncertainty and novice anxiety. But there’s one thing you’ll always instinctively know how to do: take care of your patient. Let this relationship be your rock when everything else seems unfamiliar.

Over the last few years or so, men’s scrubs have come a long way. There now are many different solid colors and a few “masculine” prints available. But whenever I need new shoes for work, I go to the nurse uniform store hoping they’ll have more than one style of men’s shoes to choose from. It never happens. I’m beginning to believe that the “Big White Boat Shoe” is the only style of men’s nursing shoe in existence—and it makes you look like the Good Humor Man! The good thing for male nurses is that professional-looking, clean sneakers are now acceptable to wear.

Here are a few things that I think make male and female nurses look good as well as professional:

First, I feel solid colors are more acceptable for men. There are some really busy print scrub tops that I think can be distracting sometimes. However, on the peds floors, cute prints are totally acceptable because of their fun nature.

Many hospitals are trying to bring back the clean white scrubs look for their nurses. I believe this is an attempt to project that clean image that many laypeople identify nurses with. While I agree in principle with what this look says, as a nurse I feel it’s just not what I would call “street savvy.” All nurses who wear clean whites to work know that it’s just a matter of time before some type of body fluid gets on them. Yes, we all do our best “gowning up” to avoid this, but it inevitably happens. Then those clean whites aren’t projecting that “clean” image, if you know what I mean!

Another thing is: If you’re a guy, don’t mix and match your scrubs. If you’re wearing a blue top, wear the blue pants to match. Sports logo themed scrubs are good conversation pieces, and they offer men something different than just the solid scrubs.

Many nurses now have tattoos, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you do, try your best to cover them up while you’re at work. Also, big hanging necklaces or earrings are more appropriate outside the workplace. Again, a professional image is what we’re trying to project, and unfortunately, people make snap judgments on how you look. Sad but true.

Outside the hospital, dress however you want. When you go to work, dress appropriately and professionally so you can project that strong, confident appearance that nurses should be identified with.

Think about it. How many nurses are there in this country? Whether on the local, state or national level, we could stand up for the things we believe in. We could have a positive effect on the dialect of the health care discussion. We could offer ideas for solutions. We could accomplish any number of great things. How many of us are passionate about something in our industry? How many of us feel we have no voice?

For such a rewarding profession, we all complain about how difficult it is for nurses in the hospitals. “There are too many patients and not enough nurses” is a common line. “There’s a nursing shortage” is another one.

True, patients today are more acutely ill. They are admitted for multiple diagnoses, and many have complications during their stay. Floor nurses are working harder than ever before. Nurses in California, however, were successful in establishing legislation concerning nurse-to-patient ratios. There are similar initiatives on the ballots of many other states including Arizona, Illinois, Maine, Ohio and Texas. This happened because nurses joined together for the greater good and made something positive come of it. How’s that for a voice?

Today’s political climate seems to be an access game in which the general public plays a large part, yet actually receives little benefit for being such a huge player in the game. Nurses could stand together now and become such a voice that their ideas would be taken seriously and their votes courted.

With health care being such a giant political issue these days, I would hope that many of us could agree on a number of the issues facing us. Imagine what kinds of ideas could be brought forth to advance the practice of nursing and protect the general public as well. What could be more rewarding than that?

When does it stop? Do you set aside time for yourself everyday? Do you ever stop for five minutes to just relax and take a deep breath? In other words, how do you become a better caregiver to yourself?

How stressed are you? Are you suffering from “compassion fatigue“? When we care for ourselves, it helps us cope more easily with all the external stressors that confront us. Everyone has something they like to do. It may be working out, going for a walk, sitting in meditation, reading or just going to a quiet place to be alone with their thoughts.

I started studying the Chinese martial arts a little more than four years ago, and I have to say that my time there has helped me to find “me.” At first, it was just something to get into better shape. After a while, the discipline of going to class—and pondering the movements and philosophies of the arts—led me into a deep study mode of everything I was learning. The more I found out about the arts, the more I found out about myself. This gave me a great sense of ease. I soon found that the more I applied the principles I learned in kung fu class, the easier the rest of my life became.

Finding time for yourself is very important in maintaining a sense of balance in your daily life. It doesn’t matter what your self-care activity is—just set a specific time and “do your thing” every day that allows you to “let go” for a little while. Then…thank yourself. After all, who can take better care of you than you?

Scrubs: What is it about today’s situation that reminds you of the layoffs of a decade ago?

Jim: I began my nursing career in the late 90’s, so I really can’t speak about the layoffs that occurred during that decade. However, we were also in the midst of a nursing shortage much like we are today. During the 80’s and leading up to that time, hospitals started to heavily recruit foreign nurses to fill their staffing voids. While that seemed like a good idea at the time, it eventually backfired.

Scrubs: What happened to make it backfire?

Jim: The American nurse who recently graduated from nursing school found that due to the heavy influx of foreign nurses, there were no jobs. This situation in turn resulted in a decrease in nursing school enrollment, which led to the closing of many nursing programs.

Scrubs: So how does that equate to today’s situation?

Jim: Just like then, we’re now fighting a pandemic nursing shortage in the midst of a financial crisis, and possibly looking at layoffs. This is now coupled with changing societal demographics, like the beginning of the retirement of the “Baby Boomers.” And the shortage of nurses plus the layoff can once again threaten the state of today’s nursing schools.

Scrubs: Any tips for nurses facing this perfect storm?

Jim: If you are laid off, try a staffing agency. Try going “Per Diem” at your current facility. For something really different, try travel nursing. One of the benefits of being a “traveler” is that you get to avoid the usual “office politics” and “griping” that come with being in the same place too long. Nursing for the most part is “recession proof” and is a great career in these dire financial and economic times.

Scrubs: You’re a positive thinker!

Jim: We nurses have to be! But really, in tough times, nurses should just be themselves and live by the Marine mentality: Adapt, improvise and overcome. Use that “go-getter” attitude, and adjust on the fly in any new job or situation you may find yourself in. That’s why Nursing is such a great career choice!!! You have the huge “umbrella” that is the nursing profession, and all the little niches and specialties that come under it.

Image: BananaStock | Thinkstock + Showtime

Nurse Jackie is the new show on Showtime that features Edie Falco (of The Sopranos fame) in the lead role of—you guessed it—Nurse Jackie. In the weeks leading up to the show’s debut, nurses around the country were really excited to finally see a show in which a nurse and the profession of nursing were the main focus. Now that the show has aired, I’ve been reading and hearing a lot of complaints from nurses and nursing organizations around the country.

After watching the first episode, it took a little while to sink in: Did I just see what I thought I saw?

In addition to the show being downright hilarious, I think it provides a sort of realism that is missing from most medical shows. That’s probably due to the fact that it’s on cable. A series like this couldn’t be shown on the big three networks.

Now, let’s try to separate the “real” from the “drama” that is television, because the show features some pretty outrageous moments! In the first episode, we’re introduced to Jackie’s drug-abusing ways right from the start. Her behavior is highly unethical and some of the things she does are reprehensible. Unfortunately, this is where most people have focused their attention. To me, that’s just TV, but many people base their opinions on things like that. That’s where the show could do a better job of representing the nursing profession. What I do like about Nurse Jackie is that in between all the things she does that make us cringe, she gives us a sense that she’s a really good nurse (Warning: Spoiler Alert!).

In one instance, a man in the ER runs around screaming, “No one helps me!!” When he approaches Nurse Jackie he slaps her in the face. Jackie in turn calls security. When the man is finally subdued and handcuffed to a stretcher, Jackie actually listens to her assailant. The bewildered man begins to complain about his mother who is morbidly obese, has bilateral amputations of her legs and a foley catheter. This man is her only caregiver and he obviously can’t handle it anymore. After hearing his story, Jackie demands that his handcuffs be removed. The way Nurse Jackie handled this situation showed she was a lot like many nurses that I know and love – she was gritty, tough, smart and able to think on her feet.

Despite some of the more controversial facets of her personality, I was excited to see that, as a caregiver, Nurse Jackie is a good listener and she puts the patient first. In the series premiere, an administrator wants to discharge an elderly man from the ER because he is refusing treatment. Nurse Jackie sternly tells the administrator to look inside the curtain again “like a nurse, and tell me what you see.” When the administrator returns, she says that she’s changed her mind. She lets the patient stay. These are the kinds of things that nurses see and do, and are one of the reasons I enjoy the show so much, and why I feel it is very real.

I believe nurses are critical thinkers who are able to separate the real aspects of the show from the fake. Nurses should see that underneath the drama that sells the show, Jackie is a very strong nurse and a patient advocate. I like to think shows are more than entertainment, and the stories and title character of Nurse Jackie do make you think. As nurses, we can relate to many of the situations that Jackie faces. These are the moments in our everyday lives that require us to think. Thinking is a nurse’s job. It’s what we do almost every moment we’re with a patient. Think about that when you watch the show.

Nurse Jackie is “must-see TV” for all nurses. Some will be for and some will be against. One thing for sure is that you won’t sit on the fence. Nurse Jackie will always make you think.

They seem to prefer to pay to treat conditions and diseases once they’ve progressed to the point of surgical intervention. We need to turn to prevention as the preferred healthcare model. Just following the basic principles of prevention could lead us to a healthier and more cost-effective way of delivering healthcare in this country.

Let’s face it: We’re on track for some sort of healthcare overhaul, so let’s talk about some ideas and ways we can influence the industry toward this model of preventive medicine. Let’s talk about going from “sickcare”…to healthcare!

I never could quite understand how an insurance company would rather pay for a surgery or amputation costing tens of thousands of dollars than pay for a monthly or quarterly visit to the doctor (or nurse practitioner) that could have prevented that surgery in the first place.

We pay for oil changes in our cars to avoid having to shell out big money for a new engine don’t we? By offering to pay for routine check-ups that are the cornerstone of preventive therapy, insurance companies would be influencing their own patients’ actions and, in turn, rewarding healthy behavior.

Let’s look at the deadliest diseases that can affect our patients: diabetes, obesity and heart disease. For the most part, these are preventable. In fact, one of the cheapest and most common ways to prevent the onset of any of these diseases is simple exercise! Yet many of our patients seek miracle cures from miracle pills. The idea that there is a pill for everything is pervasive in our media. As a nurse, I find this trend to be a bit disturbing, and I work to dispel these myths and fight to share the truth about what really helps people.

I encourage my patients to exercise at least three times a week. It can save us all a lot in the long run, not only in terms of dollars and cents, but also in our overall health and sense of well-being. To this end, I believe that health club memberships should be covered by insurance. Furthermore, there’s a growing need for physical and occupational therapy, yet most of these visits are not covered by insurance. Why not? Those who need it would benefit greatly from the therapy, and many could avoid the rather expensive alternative of surgery altogether.

We need to encourage our patients to be more involved in their own decisions concerning their health, but they may not do this until insurance companies offer incentives for preventive behavior. The push toward prevention will empower our patients to take a more active approach and put them front and center where they belong.

We don’t just need insurance coverage for preventive care: we need to actually reward healthy behaviors in our society. In order to get us into this preventive way of thinking, we need new ideas concerning the delivery of healthcare. And the people on the front lines – nurses – are ready to give our input and our experience to help guide policy decisions. Just ask us. We’re not known for being shy.

Layoffs. Inflation. Recession. Economic meltdown. “The worst financial crisis in a generation.” These are all things that are being said about the state of the American economy. With the economic downturn that we are currently in, many nurses may have to think about layoffs. We asked Jim DeMaria of Renal Care Registered Nursing Services for his advice.

Scrubs: What are some tactics for nurses who’ve been laid off?

Jim: Most nurses are “go-getters” by nature, meaning they usually find a way to get the job done, often thinking in new and creative ways, to accomplish the task before them. It is this attitude or mindset that one can use to overcome layoffs if they occur. There are options for nurses getting laid off right now. Staffing agencies are on the constant prowl for new nurses for understaffed hospitals, and travel staffing agencies are also seeking nurses who are flexible and adventurous.

Scrubs: Give us the pluses and minuses of staffing agencies.

Jim: On the plus side, there is usually a wide range of positions available for nurses at staffing agencies. Ask yourself…”Am I marketable?” The more nursing specialties you are familiar with, the more opportunity there will be for work. The US Marines have a saying that Marines adapt, improvise, and overcome. I believe the same attitude applies to nurses. On the negative side, when you join a staffing agency you may be put in the unenviable position of working at your former place of employment.

Scrubs: Is that why a nurse should choose travel nursing?

Jim: Travel nursing is also a wonderful option for the recently laid off nurse. Travel staffing agencies often pay well, and offer nursing positions in many desirable areas of the country. If you’re truly adventurous, you may find yourself nursing abroad! As an added bonus there is usually a stipend for rent included in your contract with the agency that you work for.

Scrubs: Tell us about a typical travel nursing gig.

Jim: Usually these jobs last about 3-4 months. Then it’s onto another location, and another job. This type of nursing could be very exciting, as it provides us with a constant change of scenery, and can help give us a fresh perspective about what being a nurse is all about. Travel nursing also can be an excellent learning experience, as we often work in different areas of expertise adding to our overall nursing experience, and “marketability.”