Hey man! I'm so excited you're thinking about being a nurse that's awesome. Like most people I feel like I didn't really understand what a nurse really did or how much they really knew prior to starting nursing school. It's way more than passing meds and following orders. Nursing school was hard I won't lie but my classmates became like my family. We were in school 4-5 days together and at clinical together, and when we weren't at school we were studying together. It's so important to have people around you that understand what you're going through because even my family who are supportive couldn't understand why I was so stressed or couldn't make it to a family function because I had an exam or a skills test. You have to be focused and driven. You have to really want it. It's more than memorizing for a bio exam or A&P exam, it's concepts and foundations that continue to build as you go through the program that will one day keep you from killing someone or save a patient from a potential or actual complication. I worked as a nursing assistant through nursing school and many of my friends did as well. I think it was so helpful because many of the students that were very book smart and got 90s on the exams were awful at clinicals. They had no idea how to interact with patients and were obviously nervous and uncomfortable which patients can pick up on very easily. And the same for the opposite, I saw some of the best students who had the heart of a nurse but were awful test takers and failed out. It was so disheartening to see our class size shrink throughout the semesters, but it reminds you to stay focused. I remember in school our teachers saying our first year working would be hell and it's so true. Ive only been working as an RN for about 4 months and I've already had countless shifts where I question if I can do this, I question if I'm even a good nurse some days, I've been put in unsafe situations with staffing and assignments and it's terrifying as a new nurse. But then there are nights when everything is just right and I don't mean easy but I mean you have enough staff and resources and you feel confident and you take joy in the little things and you really remember why it is you became a nurse and it's amazing. I was blessed to have a great preceptor who has become a great friend to me. There are so many things that school just can't prepare you for and that's where I owe it to my preceptor. She really showed me the ropes and reinforced to me to trust my gut. "If something doesn't feel right, then it isn't" and even when my voice shakes a little on the phone with a doctor still or I stutter because I'm nervous or no one else wants to call the surgeon because they are scared or the doctor disagrees with you or belittles you, you keep pushing because that is YOUR patient and you are responsible for them, you have a license and you have a degree. You advocate for them and you be their voice and that is my favorite part about being a nurse. And about being a male nurse there really isn't much difference, I've very rarely ran into problems with patients refusing a make nurse, the few times was because of cultural reasons which I understand. Oh the other nurses will always call you for your muscles when it's time to turn/change/pull up a heavy patient lol I know this was a super long answer and I'm gonna stop now cause I could literally go on forever lol I'm so excited you want to be a nurse and I support it 👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼😁 @rawkinfluenced
