Dear John,

If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?

Have you been a Nurse for a long time? Do you have a specialty or
favorite part?


Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
towards an RN program right now. I'm always interested in what other
nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
are also men.

Thanks!

-J



p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. I
can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
effect.

On Oct 27, 10:48*pm, phaeton > wrote:
> Dear John,
>
> If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?

My nursing degree is BSN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I'm a
licensed registered nurse (RN) because I passed the NCLEX-RN exam
after achieving my BSN. So I can sign my name as John Kuthe, BSN, RN.


> Have you been a Nurse for a long time? *

No, I went to nursing school 2 years ago, and went through an
accelerated BSN program, which are programs offered to people who
already have a BS degree in some other area. (I also have BS degrees
in CS or Computer Science and EE or Electrical Engineering.) I passed
state boards (the NCLEX-RN exam) last Sept, which gave me my RN
license.


>Do you have a specialty or favorite part?

So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
have a job now.


> Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
> towards an RN program right now. *I'm always interested in what other
> nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
> are also men.

Nursing school is designed for one thing and one thing only: to allow
you to pass the state boards exam, known as the NCLEX exam. There's an
NCLEX-RN which if you pass, you become a licensed RN, There's also an
easier NCLEX-LPN, which allows you to become a licensed LPN or
Licensed Practical Nurse.

But nursing school does not teach you how to be a nurse. That comes
with nursing experience. You have to have the license to work as a
nurse (RN or LPN) but you learn nursing on the job. And I'm very new,
and learning things every day.

There are more and more male nurses too. My accelerated nursing school
class had many males in it. Where I'm working now has at least 4 male
nurses, me and three others I can think of. The preponderance of
nurses are still female though.


> p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. *I
> can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
> effect.

Oh, I can make a VERY decent cup of coffee! Been doing it for years
now. I just got a grinder after using an effective "coffee slicer" for
years.

John Kuthe...

On 10/28/2011 10:15 AM, John Kuthe wrote:

> So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
> most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
> nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
> have a job now.

This might sound funny, but check Lockheed Martin for nursing jobs.

On 10/28/2011 8:48 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> On 10/28/2011 10:15 AM, John Kuthe wrote:
>
>> So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
>> most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
>> nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
>> have a job now.
>
> This might sound funny, but check Lockheed Martin for nursing jobs.

I was an RN in nursing homes for years. I enjoyed it. Saw a lot of
changes over those couple of decades!

On Oct 28, 10:51*pm, Sqwertz > wrote:
> On Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:48:29 -0700 (PDT), phaeton wrote:
> > Dear John,
>
> I thought you were going to say he died now, too.
>
> > If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?
>
> Oh, c'mon!
>
> Calgon! *Take me away!

So sharing that you're taking a bubble bath isn't off topic as well?
>
> -sw

--Bryan

On Oct 28, 10:15*am, John Kuthe > wrote:
> On Oct 27, 10:48*pm, phaeton > wrote:
>
> > Dear John,
>
> > If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?
>
> My nursing degree is BSN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I'm a
> licensed registered nurse (RN) because I passed the NCLEX-RN exam
> after achieving my BSN. So I can sign my name as John Kuthe, BSN, RN.
>
> > Have you been a Nurse for a long time? *
>
> No, I went to nursing school 2 years ago, and went through an
> accelerated BSN program, which are programs offered to people who
> already have a BS degree in some other area. (I also have BS degrees
> in CS or Computer Science and EE or Electrical Engineering.) I passed
> state boards (the NCLEX-RN exam) last Sept, which gave me my RN
> license.
>
> >Do you have a specialty or favorite part?
>
> So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
> most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
> nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
> have a job now.
>
> > Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
> > towards an RN program right now. *I'm always interested in what other
> > nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
> > are also men.
>
> Nursing school is designed for one thing and one thing only: to allow
> you to pass the state boards exam, known as the NCLEX exam. There's an
> NCLEX-RN which if you pass, you become a licensed RN, There's also an
> easier NCLEX-LPN, which allows you to become a licensed LPN or
> Licensed Practical Nurse.
>
> But nursing school does not teach you how to be a nurse. That comes
> with nursing experience. You have to have the license to work as a
> nurse (RN or LPN) but you learn nursing on the job. And I'm very new,
> and learning things every day.
>
> There are more and more male nurses too. My accelerated nursing school
> class had many males in it. Where I'm working now has at least 4 male
> nurses, me and three others I can think of. The preponderance of
> nurses are still female though.
>
> > p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. *I
> > can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
> > effect.
>
> Oh, I can make a VERY decent cup of coffee! Been doing it for years
> now. I just got a grinder after using an effective "coffee slicer" for
> years.
>
> John Kuthe...

I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
departments LOVE nurses.

As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
Many of them wind up as VPs.

On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> Many of them wind up as VPs.

As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
cannot. Yay! (-:

On Oct 29, 5:36*pm, Christine Dabney > wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:11:11 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>
> > wrote:
> >As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> >can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> >as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> >Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> It depends on where you are, and how much experience you have. * I
> have done orientations (as a traveling nurse) where I was with brand
> new RNs, who couldn't get a job as an RN. *They were hired as nursing
> assistants, because of the lack of RN experience they had. *This was
> just a few months ago, in CA.
>
> Now me, I have almost 40 years of experience, and I am having a hard
> time getting a permanent job. *Not for lack of experience for sure.. I
> think my age is against me now..although it is illegal to discriminate
> because of age. * Supposedly. *I think the hospitals are using ways to
> get around that...
>
> I am still looking though, and my field (Neonatal Intensive Care) is
> in demand. *At the moment, I am doing travel nursing, and I am very
> tired of it. *

Well, reflecting on what you've said, yes it is hard to get started in
a new place right now. That wasn't the case 3 years ago in my
geographical area. I still think it's a great career path. If you want
a lead on a job in Northern Kentucky, contact me. I have very specific
experience in this area.

On 10/29/2011 3:11 PM, BillyZoom wrote:

> I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
> and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
> circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
> your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
> make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
> electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
> are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
> departments LOVE nurses.

But nurses don't love IT and EMRs. And how long will it be before
medical/hospital IT departments have to scale back, insist on degrees in
IT, incorporate general facility IT, and push the nurses out. Think it
won't happen? Hah!!




> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing.


Don't bet on that. Although there hasn't been a "nursing shortage" for a
few years now, employers and nursing schools still say that there is and
they use it to justify their odd recruitment practices. In the last
year, there's been another push to bring in foreign nurses to work in U.
S. healthcare, using the nursing shortage lie. Meanwhile, employed
nurses are being cut back or laid off outright, and employers hire less
expensive foreign nurses or middling-experienced newer nurses whose pay
rates are still low. There are many, many, many nurses in the U.S. who
cannot find reliable work, and who have to hang onto whatever work they
find by their fingernails while employers remind them to show some
gratitude for the crumbs they get or talk a walk. That's as close to
off-shoring as it gets in nursing, and damn! It's pretty close!!




> And
> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> Many of them wind up as VPs.

As VPs of what?

On Oct 29, 6:26*pm, Pennyaline >
wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 3:11 PM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
> > I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
> > and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
> > circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
> > your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
> > make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
> > electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
> > are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
> > departments LOVE nurses.
>
> But nurses don't love IT and EMRs. And how long will it be before
> medical/hospital IT departments have to scale back, insist on degrees in
> IT, incorporate general facility IT, and push the nurses out. Think it
> won't happen? Hah!!
>
> > As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> > can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing.
>
> Don't bet on that. Although there hasn't been a "nursing shortage" for a
> few years now, employers and nursing schools still say that there is and
> they use it to justify their odd recruitment practices. In the last
> year, there's been another push to bring in foreign nurses to work in U.
> S. healthcare, using the nursing shortage lie. Meanwhile, employed
> nurses are being cut back or laid off outright, and employers hire less
> expensive foreign nurses or middling-experienced newer nurses whose pay
> rates are still low. There are many, many, many nurses in the U.S. who
> cannot find reliable work, and who have to hang onto whatever work they
> find by their fingernails while employers remind them to show some
> gratitude for the crumbs they get or talk a walk. That's as close to
> off-shoring as it gets in nursing, and damn! It's pretty close!!
>
> > And
> > as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> > Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> As VPs of what?

Nursing
Operations
IT

On Oct 29, 6:26*pm, Pennyaline >
wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 3:11 PM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
> > I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
> > and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
> > circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
> > your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
> > make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
> > electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
> > are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
> > departments LOVE nurses.ink that
>
> But nurses don't love IT and EMRs. And how long will it be before
> medical/hospital IT departments have to scale back, insist on degrees in
> IT, incorporate general facility IT, and push the nurses out. Think it
> won't happen? Hah!!
>

I work in an IT department in Healthcare. I have for 20 years. No
nurse I've met ever went back to nursing after getting into IT.
Further, of the 100+ employees in our department, only a handful, like
me, have an IT degree. And it doesn't buy me squat. We have pharmacy
techs, radiology techs, nurses - all working in IT. Making far more
than they would have. I didn't say nurses love IT and EMRs, but the
person I was replying to has an IT degree, so I wouldn't that is an
issue. And if you think medical IT is scaling back you're deranged.

> > As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> > can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing.
>
> Don't bet on that. Although there hasn't been a "nursing shortage" for a
> few years now, employers and nursing schools still say that there is and
> they use it to justify their odd recruitment practices. In the last
> year, there's been another push to bring in foreign nurses to work in U.
> S. healthcare, using the nursing shortage lie. Meanwhile, employed
> nurses are being cut back or laid off outright, and employers hire less
> expensive foreign nurses or middling-experienced newer nurses whose pay
> rates are still low. There are many, many, many nurses in the U.S. who
> cannot find reliable work, and who have to hang onto whatever work they
> find by their fingernails while employers remind them to show some
> gratitude for the crumbs they get or talk a walk. That's as close to
> off-shoring as it gets in nursing, and damn! It's pretty close!!

Like all professions, local demand is quirky. If you're willing to
relocate, you can have a job tomorrow. IF you have a BSN. Bet against
me and I'll meet you in HR at your orientation. Put up or shut up.
Wait a minute...aren't you the dumbass who can't figure out facebook?
Never mind. Go back to the hardware store.

>
> > And
> > as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> > Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> As VPs of what?

On Oct 29, 4:11*pm, BillyZoom > wrote:
> On Oct 28, 10:15*am, John Kuthe > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Oct 27, 10:48*pm, phaeton > wrote:
>
> > > Dear John,
>
> > > If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?
>
> > My nursing degree is BSN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I'm a
> > licensed registered nurse (RN) because I passed the NCLEX-RN exam
> > after achieving my BSN. So I can sign my name as John Kuthe, BSN, RN.
>
> > > Have you been a Nurse for a long time? *
>
> > No, I went to nursing school 2 years ago, and went through an
> > accelerated BSN program, which are programs offered to people who
> > already have a BS degree in some other area. (I also have BS degrees
> > in CS or Computer Science and EE or Electrical Engineering.) I passed
> > state boards (the NCLEX-RN exam) last Sept, which gave me my RN
> > license.
>
> > >Do you have a specialty or favorite part?
>
> > So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
> > most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
> > nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
> > have a job now.
>
> > > Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
> > > towards an RN program right now. *I'm always interested in what other
> > > nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
> > > are also men.
>
> > Nursing school is designed for one thing and one thing only: to allow
> > you to pass the state boards exam, known as the NCLEX exam. There's an
> > NCLEX-RN which if you pass, you become a licensed RN, There's also an
> > easier NCLEX-LPN, which allows you to become a licensed LPN or
> > Licensed Practical Nurse.
>
> > But nursing school does not teach you how to be a nurse. That comes
> > with nursing experience. You have to have the license to work as a
> > nurse (RN or LPN) but you learn nursing on the job. And I'm very new,
> > and learning things every day.
>
> > There are more and more male nurses too. My accelerated nursing school
> > class had many males in it. Where I'm working now has at least 4 male
> > nurses, me and three others I can think of. The preponderance of
> > nurses are still female though.
>
> > > p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. *I
> > > can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
> > > effect.
>
> > Oh, I can make a VERY decent cup of coffee! Been doing it for years
> > now. I just got a grinder after using an effective "coffee slicer" for
> > years.
>
> > John Kuthe...
>
> I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
> and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
> circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
> your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
> make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
> electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
> are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
> departments LOVE nurses.

Yeah yeah yeah. SHOW me the jobs!!


> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> Many of them wind up as VPs.

It was 2 *pages* of want-ads several years ago that was the trigger
that sent me towards nursing. But nursing like every other job market
has it's high and low cycles for hiring. When I saw those 2 pages of
ads, nursing was on a hiring frenzy. Anyone with an RN could get a
job. Now, not so much.


John Kuthe...

On Oct 29, 4:31*pm, dsi1 > wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
>
>
> > As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> > can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> > as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> > Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
> cannot. Yay! (-:

Like what?

John Kuthe...

On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > wrote:
>> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
>>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
>>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
>>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>>
>> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
>> cannot. Yay! (-:
>
> Like what?
>
> John Kuthe...

Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
is that she knows what she's talking about.

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:

> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> > On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > wrote:
> >> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> >>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> >>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> >>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
> >>
> >> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
> >> cannot. Yay! (-:
> >
> > Like what?
> >
> > John Kuthe...
>
> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
> is that she knows what she's talking about.

Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
baby. I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
family.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Oct 29, 7:25*pm, John Kuthe > wrote:
> On Oct 29, 4:11*pm, BillyZoom > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Oct 28, 10:15*am, John Kuthe > wrote:
>
> > > On Oct 27, 10:48*pm, phaeton > wrote:
>
> > > > Dear John,
>
> > > > If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?
>
> > > My nursing degree is BSN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I'm a
> > > licensed registered nurse (RN) because I passed the NCLEX-RN exam
> > > after achieving my BSN. So I can sign my name as John Kuthe, BSN, RN.
>
> > > > Have you been a Nurse for a long time? *
>
> > > No, I went to nursing school 2 years ago, and went through an
> > > accelerated BSN program, which are programs offered to people who
> > > already have a BS degree in some other area. (I also have BS degrees
> > > in CS or Computer Science and EE or Electrical Engineering.) I passed
> > > state boards (the NCLEX-RN exam) last Sept, which gave me my RN
> > > license.
>
> > > >Do you have a specialty or favorite part?
>
> > > So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
> > > most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
> > > nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
> > > have a job now.
>
> > > > Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
> > > > towards an RN program right now. *I'm always interested in what other
> > > > nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
> > > > are also men.
>
> > > Nursing school is designed for one thing and one thing only: to allow
> > > you to pass the state boards exam, known as the NCLEX exam. There's an
> > > NCLEX-RN which if you pass, you become a licensed RN, There's also an
> > > easier NCLEX-LPN, which allows you to become a licensed LPN or
> > > Licensed Practical Nurse.
>
> > > But nursing school does not teach you how to be a nurse. That comes
> > > with nursing experience. You have to have the license to work as a
> > > nurse (RN or LPN) but you learn nursing on the job. And I'm very new,
> > > and learning things every day.
>
> > > There are more and more male nurses too. My accelerated nursing school
> > > class had many males in it. Where I'm working now has at least 4 male
> > > nurses, me and three others I can think of. The preponderance of
> > > nurses are still female though.
>
> > > > p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. *I
> > > > can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
> > > > effect.
>
> > > Oh, I can make a VERY decent cup of coffee! Been doing it for years
> > > now. I just got a grinder after using an effective "coffee slicer" for
> > > years.
>
> > > John Kuthe...
>
> > I could say something unkind about having 3 very marketable degrees
> > and winding up working in a nursing home, but I know all about
> > circumstances, etc. What I would say, most sincerely, is that with
> > your education even a couple of years of real nursing experience would
> > make you a VERY desirable hire as an IT person in the area of
> > electronic medical records. Epic is the big push right now and people
> > are tripling their salaries by switching into IT. Hospital IT
> > departments LOVE nurses.
>
> Yeah yeah yeah. SHOW me the jobs!!
>
> > As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> > can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> > as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> > Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> It was 2 *pages* of want-ads several years ago that was the trigger
> that sent me towards nursing. But nursing like every other job market
> has it's high and low cycles for hiring. When I saw those 2 pages of
> ads, nursing was on a hiring frenzy. Anyone with an RN could get a
> job. Now, not so much.
>
> John Kuthe...

Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
> wrote:

> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.

Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
aging population?

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Oct 29, 6:52*pm, sf > wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>
> > wrote:
> > Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
> > frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
> > relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
> > You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
> > for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
> > your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>
> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
> aging population?
>
> --
> All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

That's the other demographic shift I'm counting on. The Baby Boom
generation is retiring, and retired people want and need health care.
Now I am positioned where I can provide that health care.

And they can't outsource patient care to India or China! ;-)

John Kuthe...

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:09:19 -0700 (PDT), John Kuthe
> wrote:

> And they can't outsource patient care to India or China! ;-)

Some of it can be, but hands on patient care cannot. There should be
more demand for lab workers too.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:42:29 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
> wrote:
>
>> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
>> > On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > wrote:
>> >> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
>> >>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
>> >>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
>> >>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>> >>
>> >> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
>> >> cannot. Yay! (-:
>> >
>> > Like what?
>> >
>> > John Kuthe...
>>
>> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
>> is that she knows what she's talking about.
>
>Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
>baby. I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
>but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
>family.

many years ago when I worked as a Nurse's Aide while going through
school, the orderlies (men) were called for lifting and things like
that. Last year when I was in hospital for 2 weeks, there were both
male and female nurses and I couldn't see any difference in duties or
attitude. I did talk to the men and women from just before I was
admitted through the following stay. There are so many fields
available now and every one of these people was working on advanced
learning with an eye to going on to a more specialized area. This
includes the people in every department and all fields. Medicine
seems really exciting now.
Janet US

On 10/29/2011 5:52 PM, sf wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
> > wrote:
>
>> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
>> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
>> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
>> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
>> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
>> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>
> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
> aging population?
>


Nope.

On 10/29/2011 6:09 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> On Oct 29, 6:52 pm, > wrote:
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>>
>> > wrote:
>>> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
>>> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
>>> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
>>> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
>>> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
>>> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>>
>> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
>> aging population?
>>
>> --
>> All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
>
> That's the other demographic shift I'm counting on. The Baby Boom
> generation is retiring, and retired people want and need health care.
> Now I am positioned where I can provide that health care.
>
> And they can't outsource patient care to India or China! ;-)

Read my post, John.

On Oct 29, 7:52*pm, sf > wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>
> > wrote:
> > Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
> > frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
> > relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
> > You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
> > for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
> > your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>
> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
> aging population?
>
> --
> All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

Absolutely.

On Oct 29, 8:26*pm, Pennyaline >
wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 5:52 PM, sf wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
> > > *wrote:
>
> >> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
> >> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
> >> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
> >> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
> >> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
> >> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>
> > Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
> > aging population?
>
> Nope.

You're a dumbass. Do you work in Healthcare or do you just watch Faux
News? For organizations that have their shit together, healthcare has
never been better. I work in Healthcare and next year's bonus will be
the largest I've ever had. And I'm not even remotely involved in
patient care.

On Oct 29, 8:26*pm, Pennyaline >
wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 6:09 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Oct 29, 6:52 pm, > *wrote:
> >> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>
> >> > *wrote:
> >>> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
> >>> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
> >>> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
> >>> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
> >>> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
> >>> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>
> >> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
> >> aging population?
>
> >> --
> >> All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt..
>
> > That's the other demographic shift I'm counting on. The Baby Boom
> > generation is retiring, and retired people want and need health care.
> > Now I am positioned where I can provide that health care.
>
> > And they can't outsource patient care to India or China! ;-)
>
> Read my post, John.

Don't. In the pinch, there was some foreign recruitment. That has
stopped. You made a great career choice and you probably won't even
realize how great it is for 10 years. I make six figures and I'd trade
you in a heartbeat. For the promise of bigger six figures, I don't
post a lot other than to make fun of people, but when I see such bad
information about an area that I am an expert in I can't help it.
Pennywise, what are your qualifications. Shut Up.

On Oct 29, 7:23*pm, Janet Bostwick > wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:42:29 -0700, sf > wrote:
> >On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
> > wrote:
>
> >> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> >> > On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > *wrote:
> >> >> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
> >> >>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> >> >>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> >> >>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
> >> >>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> >> >> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
> >> >> cannot. Yay! (-:
>
> >> > Like what?
>
> >> > John Kuthe...
>
> >> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
> >> is that she knows what she's talking about.
>
> >Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
> >baby. *I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
> >but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
> >family. *
>
> many years ago when I worked as a Nurse's Aide while going through
> school, the orderlies (men) were called for lifting and things like
> that. *Last year when I was in hospital for 2 weeks, there were both
> male and female nurses and I couldn't see any difference in duties or
> attitude. *I did talk to the men and women from just before I was
> admitted through the following stay. *There are so many fields
> available now and every one of these people was working on advanced
> learning with an eye to going on to a more specialized area. *This
> includes the people in every department and all fields. *Medicine
> seems really exciting now.
> Janet US

Everybody who is specializing is 1) screwing themselves out of jobs
and 2) chasing what they believe is the "big money" and prestige. I'm
the opposite. The money's OK with me in every field of nursing, and
I'd like to have as wide a skill set and experience as I can, to help
insure my employability.

And you are correct. Nursing is becoming much less gender specific. It
had been traditionally almost 100% female, but many more men are
becoming nurses now. And nothing about the job of a nurse is gender-
specific. Only the patient's preferences, which can be prejudicial.
But since they are the "star of their show", patient preference is
very important. Although I doubt many would care if it was a male or
female performing CPR on them to save their life.

John Kuthe...

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:14:52 -0700 (PDT), John Kuthe
> wrote:

>On Oct 29, 7:23*pm, Janet Bostwick > wrote:
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:42:29 -0700, sf > wrote:
>> >On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
>> >> > On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > *wrote:
>> >> >> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>>
>> >> >>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
>> >> >>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
>> >> >>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
>> >> >>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>>
>> >> >> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
>> >> >> cannot. Yay! (-:
>>
>> >> > Like what?
>>
>> >> > John Kuthe...
>>
>> >> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
>> >> is that she knows what she's talking about.
>>
>> >Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
>> >baby. *I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
>> >but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
>> >family. *
>>
>> many years ago when I worked as a Nurse's Aide while going through
>> school, the orderlies (men) were called for lifting and things like
>> that. *Last year when I was in hospital for 2 weeks, there were both
>> male and female nurses and I couldn't see any difference in duties or
>> attitude. *I did talk to the men and women from just before I was
>> admitted through the following stay. *There are so many fields
>> available now and every one of these people was working on advanced
>> learning with an eye to going on to a more specialized area. *This
>> includes the people in every department and all fields. *Medicine
>> seems really exciting now.
>> Janet US
>
>Everybody who is specializing is 1) screwing themselves out of jobs
>and 2) chasing what they believe is the "big money" and prestige. I'm
>the opposite. The money's OK with me in every field of nursing, and
>I'd like to have as wide a skill set and experience as I can, to help
>insure my employability.
>
>And you are correct. Nursing is becoming much less gender specific. It
>had been traditionally almost 100% female, but many more men are
>becoming nurses now. And nothing about the job of a nurse is gender-
>specific. Only the patient's preferences, which can be prejudicial.
>But since they are the "star of their show", patient preference is
>very important. Although I doubt many would care if it was a male or
>female performing CPR on them to save their life.
>
>John Kuthe...

I don't think I agree with you about the specialization. The people
that I spoke with in Doppler, radiology were very happy that they were
where they were after starting out as nurses. The hospital that I was
at is specifically advertising for such specialties and people.
Perhaps I am just in an area that recognizes the need for special
skills at all levels. I believe that one of the nurses told me that
you had to have some additional education to be hired and were
expected to continue on. Another nurse told me that she specifically
aimed for getting a job with this hospital because of the educational
and advancement opportunities. Everyone seemed very happy with their
responsibilities. Of course, that kind of thing may not suit
everyone.
Janet US

On 30/10/2011 12:14 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> On Oct 29, 7:23 pm, Janet > wrote:
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:42:29 -0700, > wrote:
>>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
>>> > wrote:
>>
>>>> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
>>>>> On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > wrote:
>>>>>> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>>
>>>>>>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
>>>>>>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
>>>>>>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning.
>>>>>>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>>
>>>>>> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
>>>>>> cannot. Yay! (-:
>>
>>>>> Like what?
>>
>>>>> John Kuthe...
>>
>>>> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
>>>> is that she knows what she's talking about.
>>
>>> Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
>>> baby. I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
>>> but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
>>> family.
>>
>> many years ago when I worked as a Nurse's Aide while going through
>> school, the orderlies (men) were called for lifting and things like
>> that. Last year when I was in hospital for 2 weeks, there were both
>> male and female nurses and I couldn't see any difference in duties or
>> attitude. I did talk to the men and women from just before I was
>> admitted through the following stay. There are so many fields
>> available now and every one of these people was working on advanced
>> learning with an eye to going on to a more specialized area. This
>> includes the people in every department and all fields. Medicine
>> seems really exciting now.
>> Janet US
>
> Everybody who is specializing is 1) screwing themselves out of jobs
> and 2) chasing what they believe is the "big money" and prestige. I'm
> the opposite. The money's OK with me in every field of nursing, and
> I'd like to have as wide a skill set and experience as I can, to help
> insure my employability.
>
> And you are correct. Nursing is becoming much less gender specific. It
> had been traditionally almost 100% female, but many more men are
> becoming nurses now. And nothing about the job of a nurse is gender-
> specific. Only the patient's preferences, which can be prejudicial.
> But since they are the "star of their show", patient preference is
> very important. Although I doubt many would care if it was a male or
> female performing CPR on them to save their life.
>
> John Kuthe...
>
I know 3 male nurses and 2 of them are in intensive care. Seems the
technology used in intensive care is more attractive to the men. I can
dig that!

--

Krypsis

On Oct 29, 9:31*pm, Krypsis > wrote:
> On 30/10/2011 12:14 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Oct 29, 7:23 pm, Janet > *wrote:
> >> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:42:29 -0700, > *wrote:
> >>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:32:46 -1000, dsi1
> >>> > *wrote:
>
> >>>> On 10/29/2011 1:26 PM, John Kuthe wrote:
> >>>>> On Oct 29, 4:31 pm, > * *wrote:
> >>>>>> On 10/29/2011 11:11 AM, BillyZoom wrote:
>
> >>>>>>> As for male nurses, in this economy it's about the smartest thing you
> >>>>>>> can go into, male or female. Nobody is going to offshore nursing. And
> >>>>>>> as I've alluded to, starting out as a nurse is just the beginning..
> >>>>>>> Many of them wind up as VPs.
>
> >>>>>> As an added bonus, male nurses can get away with things that female ones
> >>>>>> cannot. Yay! (-:
>
> >>>>> Like what?
>
> >>>>> John Kuthe...
>
> >>>> Beats the heck out of me, that's just what my wife says. OTOH, my guess
> >>>> is that she knows what she's talking about.
>
> >>> Probably things like telling a grown man to stop acting like such a
> >>> baby. *I was thinking men could do more like lift heavier objects etc.
> >>> but what do I know - I'm not a nurse and don't even have one in the
> >>> family.
>
> >> many years ago when I worked as a Nurse's Aide while going through
> >> school, the orderlies (men) were called for lifting and things like
> >> that. *Last year when I was in hospital for 2 weeks, there were both
> >> male and female nurses and I couldn't see any difference in duties or
> >> attitude. *I did talk to the men and women from just before I was
> >> admitted through the following stay. *There are so many fields
> >> available now and every one of these people was working on advanced
> >> learning with an eye to going on to a more specialized area. *This
> >> includes the people in every department and all fields. *Medicine
> >> seems really exciting now.
> >> Janet US
>
> > Everybody who is specializing is 1) screwing themselves out of jobs
> > and 2) chasing what they believe is the "big money" and prestige. I'm
> > the opposite. The money's OK with me in every field of nursing, and
> > I'd like to have as wide a skill set and experience as I can, to help
> > insure my employability.
>
> > And you are correct. Nursing is becoming much less gender specific. It
> > had been traditionally almost 100% female, but many more men are
> > becoming nurses now. And nothing about the job of a nurse is gender-
> > specific. Only the patient's preferences, which can be prejudicial.
> > But since they are the "star of their show", patient preference is
> > very important. Although I doubt many would care if it was a male or
> > female performing CPR on them to save their life.
>
> > John Kuthe...
>
> I know 3 male nurses and 2 of them are in intensive care. Seems the
> technology used in intensive care is more attractive to the men. I can
> dig that!
>
> --
>
> Krypsis

Okay rainman.

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:35:57 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom > wrote:

>Fair enough. We now have a detailed explanation of your VERY
>PARTICULAR preferences. Could you you just go ahead and **** off when
>it comes to talking about nursing in general. You're a twighlight
>nurse who can't get hired because you are so ****y....

Rude, crude, and overpaid with a joke degree from Devry in a state that time
forgot.

{plonk}

-- Larry

On 30/10/2011 11:09 AM, John Kuthe wrote:
> On Oct 29, 6:52 pm, > wrote:
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>>
>> > wrote:
>>> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
>>> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
>>> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
>>> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
>>> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
>>> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>>
>> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
>> aging population?
>>
>> --
>> All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
>
> That's the other demographic shift I'm counting on. The Baby Boom
> generation is retiring, and retired people want and need health care.
> Now I am positioned where I can provide that health care.
>
> And they can't outsource patient care to India or China! ;-)
>
> John Kuthe...

Once upon a time I'd have agreed with you! Now I'm not so sure!

--

Krypsis

On 30/10/2011 11:26 AM, Pennyaline wrote:
> On 10/29/2011 5:52 PM, sf wrote:
>> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:45:01 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> Hmmm, Well, you're right to a certain extent. 2-3 years ago was a
>>> frenzy. But you should still be fine, especially if you're willing to
>>> relocate. And your degrees don't hurt. Don't go by or use want ads.
>>> You HAVE to go directly to the sites of the places you want to work
>>> for. There is no reason you should be working in a Nursing Home with
>>> your qualifications, although I'm sure they're happy to have you.
>>
>> Isn't the entire field of healthcare expanding to accommodate the
>> aging population?
>>
>
>
> Nope.

True. In Australia we regularly see where nursing homes are closing down
with all the oldies out on the street. They are then forced into
hospitals where they take up beds needed for surgical purposes. To
compound the issue, the local hospital is CLOSING a full surgical ward
of 32 beds because of "funding issues". Health care is really screwed up
in this country. If you don't have private health insurance, you're as
good as dead!

--

Krypsis

Thanks for your responses John, (and others).

The funny thing here is that I'm currently working in Data Security
for a firm that does EOL IT management. I got into IT in the late
1990s, not with any degrees or formal education, I just clawed my way
into it with determination and talent. I also have a background in
electronics. Obviously none of this makes me a rock star but in my
travels throughout the IT world, I'd say I do pretty good for someone
with just a HS diploma.

Except now I'm kinda burned out. My interest is waning, and I know
that my motivation to stay on top of all the new technology (or old
technologies with new names) will start to erode. It's time for a
change. Also, as I've gotten older, I've developed a desire to want to
help people instead of machines. In my early 20s I thought of trying
to get to medical school to become a doctor, but a lack of self-
confidence talked me out of it. Now that it's too late in the game
for that much schooling, i'm smacking myself.

Regarding the nursing shortage, I've always been skeptical. I
remember all too much the "CS Degree Shortage in IT" stuff from before
the turn of the century, and how the job market saturated around
2002. Fortunately in that field, there were enough people who could
shake out the real geeks from the goldminers, so I was lucky enough to
be able to stay employed. Most of what I dig up about it makes the
'shortage' seem like hype and b.s.. There are thousands of new
nursing grads that complain about being unable to find a job. I hear
it and read about it all the time, but I try to qualify it with the
fact that I don't know how many of them are unwilling to relocate.
The other thing that affects them is that every opening demands 3-5
years experience. You know- "can't get a job without experience,
can't get experience without a job". Also, I suspect that most of
them feel like they'll go straight from school into a fictitious sit-
com hospital like on the show [scrubs], so they thumb their noses at
nursing homes. I think this is a HUGE mistake. See above chicken/egg
problem.

Regarding specialization, when I envision myself as a nurse, I'm
pretty much a dead ringer for a psych nurse in a mental health
facility, or some combination of nursing and psychiatric care in a VA
Hospital. This isn't a monetary choice, it's what I think I'll
naturally gravitate towards and do the most good as.

I'm willing to relocate when the time comes, but I also understand if
someone wants to stay in the place they grew up.

Interestingly, I wouldn't doubt if after awhile I don't end up
crossbreeding the careers down the line- i.e., developing software or
hardware for the medical industry. But that's a ways off. After some
experience I'd also like to be a travel nurse, but I'm not 100% sure
how the licensing works for that.

Meanwhile, back to studying..

Thanks

-ph

On Oct 29, 8:23*pm, Janet Bostwick > wrote:
....
>Another nurse told me that she specifically
> aimed for getting a job with this hospital because of the educational
> and advancement opportunities. *Everyone seemed very happy with their
> responsibilities. *Of course, that kind of thing may not suit
> everyone.

I wanted to get a job at BJC, the hospital associated with my nursing
school. Largest in the area, many specialty areas and opportunities
for advancement and close enough to bicycle. I applied for many MANY
positions advertised, only got 3 or 4 interviews and no job. :-( So I
had to expand my job search and got this job. Little to no opportunity
for advancement and a 30 minute drive if traffic is good. But it pays
well.

John Kuthe...

On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:00:25 -0700 (PDT), John Kuthe
> wrote:

> Little to no opportunity
> for advancement and a 30 minute drive if traffic is good. But it pays
> well.

"Pays well" is what you want when you need to build experience to get
to the next level, especially when you have a family to support.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:51:26 +1100, Krypsis >
wrote:

> Health care is really screwed up
> in this country. If you don't have private health insurance, you're as
> good as dead!

With Obamacare gutted before it was finalized and not worth the paper
it's written on now, that's true here too.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Oct 29, 9:36*pm, wrote:
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:35:57 -0700 (PDT), BillyZoom > wrote:
> >Fair enough. We now have a detailed explanation of your VERY
> >PARTICULAR preferences. Could you you just go ahead and **** off when
> >it comes to talking about nursing in general. You're a twighlight
> >nurse who can't get hired because you are so ****y....
>
> Rude, crude, and overpaid with a joke degree from Devry in a state that time
> forgot.
>
> {plonk}
>
> -- Larry

Plonk? How very nineties of you. No, my degree is from The Ohio State
University and I think I made it clear that my degree is pretty
irrelevant at this point. And your contribution to this dicussion is...

On 10/29/2011 3:46 PM, BillyZoom wrote:

> Fair enough. We now have a detailed explanation of your VERY
> PARTICULAR preferences. Could you you just go ahead and **** off when
> it comes to talking about nursing in general. You're a twighlight
> nurse who can't get hired because you are so ****y. You worked in KY
> at some point and clearly don't know of any of the major changes that
> have taken place. Where did you work? Does it exist now? (50/50 no).
> You have to be careful on newgroups. A lot of people know a lot more
> than you. I'm not a nurse. I'm a person with detailed knowledge of
> nurse recruitment. Anyone with a BSN can get a job here in "old hick"
> Kentucky. Yes or No Christine? The discussion wasn't about a 60+ year-
> old nurse with a chip on her shoulder who bitches about travelling but
> won't move from California. I said a starting nurse has a very bright
> future, I know that kills you, but that's okay because you're already
> dead inside.


You silver tongued devil, you.

On Oct 29, 9:57*pm, phaeton > wrote:
> Thanks for your responses John, (and others).
>
> The funny thing here is that I'm currently working in Data Security
> for a firm that does EOL IT management. *I got into IT in the late
> 1990s, not with any degrees or formal education, I just clawed my way
> into it with determination and talent. *I also have a background in
> electronics. *Obviously none of this makes me a rock star but in my
> travels throughout the IT world, I'd say I do pretty good for someone
> with just a HS diploma.
>
> Except now I'm kinda burned out. * My interest is waning, and I know
> that my motivation to stay on top of all the new technology (or old
> technologies with new names) will start to erode. *It's time for a
> change. Also, as I've gotten older, I've developed a desire to want to
> help people instead of machines. *In my early 20s I thought of trying
> to get to medical school to become a doctor, but a lack of self-
> confidence talked me out of it. *Now that it's too late in the game
> for that much schooling, i'm smacking myself.
>
> Regarding the nursing shortage, I've always been skeptical. *I
> remember all too much the "CS Degree Shortage in IT" stuff from before
> the turn of the century, and how the job market saturated around
> 2002. *Fortunately in that field, there were enough people who could
> shake out the real geeks from the goldminers, so I was lucky enough to
> be able to stay employed. *Most of what I dig up about it makes the
> 'shortage' seem like hype and b.s.. *There are thousands of new
> nursing grads that complain about being unable to find a job. *I hear
> it and read about it all the time, but I try to qualify it with the
> fact that I don't know how many of them are unwilling to relocate.
> The other thing that affects them is that every opening demands 3-5
> years experience. *You know- "can't get a job without experience,
> can't get experience without a job". *Also, I suspect that most of
> them feel like they'll go straight from school into a fictitious sit-
> com hospital like on the show [scrubs], so they thumb their noses at
> nursing homes. *I think this is a HUGE mistake. *See above chicken/egg
> problem.
>
> Regarding specialization, when I envision myself as a nurse, I'm
> pretty much a dead ringer for a psych nurse in a mental health
> facility, or some combination of nursing and psychiatric care in a VA
> Hospital. *This isn't a monetary choice, it's what I think I'll
> naturally gravitate towards and do the most good as.
>
> I'm willing to relocate when the time comes, but I also understand if
> someone wants to stay in the place they grew up.
>
> Interestingly, I wouldn't doubt if after awhile I don't end up
> crossbreeding the careers down the line- i.e., developing software or
> hardware for the medical industry. *But that's a ways off. *After some
> experience I'd also like to be a travel nurse, but I'm not 100% sure
> how the licensing works for that.
>
> Meanwhile, back to studying..
>
> Thanks
>
> -ph

Cool story, brah.

"John Kuthe" > wrote in message
...
On Oct 27, 10:48 pm, phaeton > wrote:
> Dear John,
>
> If I may ask, are you an LPN, RN, BSN, APN?

My nursing degree is BSN, Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I'm a
licensed registered nurse (RN) because I passed the NCLEX-RN exam
after achieving my BSN. So I can sign my name as John Kuthe, BSN, RN.


> Have you been a Nurse for a long time?

No, I went to nursing school 2 years ago, and went through an
accelerated BSN program, which are programs offered to people who
already have a BS degree in some other area. (I also have BS degrees
in CS or Computer Science and EE or Electrical Engineering.) I passed
state boards (the NCLEX-RN exam) last Sept, which gave me my RN
license.


>Do you have a specialty or favorite part?

So far I've only worked in "nursing homes", which is not at all the
most high tech or most glamorous nursing job, but they are the only
nursing jobs i was able to get. That's OK though, cause at least I
have a job now.


> Just curious, as someone who is working his way through the congestion
> towards an RN program right now. I'm always interested in what other
> nurses have to say about school and work, especially from nurses who
> are also men.

Nursing school is designed for one thing and one thing only: to allow
you to pass the state boards exam, known as the NCLEX exam. There's an
NCLEX-RN which if you pass, you become a licensed RN, There's also an
easier NCLEX-LPN, which allows you to become a licensed LPN or
Licensed Practical Nurse.

But nursing school does not teach you how to be a nurse. That comes
with nursing experience. You have to have the license to work as a
nurse (RN or LPN) but you learn nursing on the job. And I'm very new,
and learning things every day.

There are more and more male nurses too. My accelerated nursing school
class had many males in it. Where I'm working now has at least 4 male
nurses, me and three others I can think of. The preponderance of
nurses are still female though.


> p.s., I seem to have a hard time making decent coffee lately too. I
> can't tell if the fact that I drink mostly tea now is either cause or
> effect.

Oh, I can make a VERY decent cup of coffee! Been doing it for years
now. I just got a grinder after using an effective "coffee slicer" for
years.

John Kuthe...

"With your credentials, in a small town with a very severe nursing shortage
would you be able to get a position as an intensive care unit nurse ?

Kent