Expert: Kathleen RN - 11/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: When I went in for surgery to have my appendix out I was grateful to have such caring and available nurses and staff while I was staying over night and the night afterwards, but I have met a few nurses outside of the hospital environment and they seem different. They seemed kind of cold and non-empathetic, and like the world functions on logic alone. Do you find nurses to be rather cold and impersonal outside of the work environment? Like they are drained of their humanity in a way? Also on a different note, do you know if lab technicians are in-demand?

ANSWER: Hello James,
Thank you for your question. I am so glad you had such a great experience while in the hospital, and hope you continue with great health. I was curious if you had read the readers digest issue this month? It speaks of how some nurses feel and their experiences. I love being a nurse James, but also understand, that as an ER nurse, I have such a rewarding career, but at the same time, I have been spit at, cursed at, threatened, and assaulted by individuals. As nurses we give 100% to our jobs, (at least in my hospital), but when we are with our families or out and about we are on "our time". I'm not saying anyone should be rude or uncaring, but for 12 hrs, we run, we rarely get a full meal, rarely get bathroom breaks. But do so with a smile. As we work in one of the most stressful careers, we want "down time" and don't want to "talk shop". We also deal with the most sickest patients and dying patients, who can be small children up to adults. So I don't know if the nurses you have come in contact with are "cold" or it could be they are just relaxing and are very protective of their time, until they have to go back to work, in which they do with that same smile on their faces. Please also understand James, that as the holidays are coming up, nurses will be working why most get to spend time with their families. To answer the other part of your question, good lab techs are always in demand. I hope this helps you understand the preception you have about the nurses you've come in contact with outside of the hospital or work environment.          Happy Holidays, KathleenY2

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QUESTION: No I've never read reader's digest. Well one nurse in particular I met from online and when we met for a date she basically told me to leave on the spot. I guess I wasn't good looking enough and she felt my photo was deceiving. I would think being a nurse sickly people would be harder to look at, but apparently not. She elected to meet me on her own time so it's not an issue of down time. Actually there was another nurse I've met that seems to be a bit on the shallow side also. It seems like dating a nurse would be incredibly painful. She'd be working most of the time, and when she's not she would be distant and disconnected from reality. Personally I think restaurant and hospitality people seem much warmer off duty. As for lab techs I was thinking of going back to school for yet another college degree to do that. I have like 7 years of education that still couldn't keep my from minimum wage work so I was thinking this might be my way out. A friend of mine trained like 2 months to be a phembotomist, but she has had to move from state to state to find work. When she lived near me she was only able to work in a hospital caffeteria. I am just assuming since lab techs require 2 year degrees and technologists require 4 that the demand might be better. And although the pay might still still be half that of nursing, I think it might be rewarding (if it doesn't require as much calculous as I read it might).

Answer
Hello James,
I am wondering if just isn't the right time or person for you yet. There is someone out there for you who will appreciate the gifts you have. Whatever you choose to do, love what you do. I wish you all the luck in the world.          Sincerely, KathleenY2