Source
r/AMA•
DyingFirstClass

I’m a male nurse, AMA.

Little bit of a background: currently working in home care, taking care of the elderly but I do have experience working in hospitals too.

I have worked in rehabilitation, surgery, stroke/MI, cardiology, and oncology units. I have also seen many procedures ranging from basic endoscopies to major surgeries.

I have seen three people code, and one person die.

To protect myself and my patient’s identities I will not release any names of hospitals, patients, etc.

AMA.

Posted Dec 17, 2018, 3:47 AM UTC

727
Notyourpappi•

Are you a pothead Focker?

3
DyingFirstClassOP•

No... no... what?

1
Ge0rgeBr0ughton•

What's your favorite type of cheese?

2
DyingFirstClassOP•

I like a nice brie or apple wood smoked cheddar.

2
Drazen04•

I have nipples, Greg. Can you milk me?

2
DyingFirstClassOP•

Oh, I can milk just about anything with nipples.

1
littlesebastian4ever•

Any haunting/moving last words (or words while dying) that you’ve heard?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Not exactly haunting, but definitely had a few moving words. Worked with an older Indian man who came to Canada in the 70s. When he got here, he found work at a factory but ultimately had a workplace accident that caused him to lose an arm. These are some of the things he said that have stuck with me:

“There are 5 important W’s in life. Weather, women, wine, work and wool.”

“Time and tides wait for no man.”

“Without family, there is no love.”

4
littlesebastian4ever•

Interesting...especially no love with family...hmmm.

P.S. Thank you for what you do!

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

He was a very kind man, we would always talk when I saw him. Every Sunday he would have his family over for dinner, so I think that’s where the whole love/family thing comes from.

And honestly, just doing my job! Appreciate the love though. 😊

Edit: it was supposed to say WITHOUT family lol my bad

2
littlesebastian4ever•

That makes a lot more sense haha...I was scratching my head on that 😂

2
bieberlover901•

Considering that there are so many different PAs and techs etc I feel like the average layman has no idea who does what, does anyone still care if a nurse is a man?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

You’d be surprised.

I have had patients flat out refuse care from me solely based on the fact that I’m a man. They think we don’t know what we’re doing/aren’t compassionate enough.

2
gabex166•

Funny. Abuse that's usually the opposite..The men tend to be more compassionate

1
CrazyDuck123•

What drive you to be a nurse?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Good question! There were a few reasons, if I’m being completely honest.

Science was always one of the subjects that came easiest to me in school, and I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field.

My mom works in the medical field as a health care aid, and I used to volunteer with her at the nursing home once in a while.

In 2009, I had a case of appendicitis, which actually ended up leading to full blown sepsis because my appendix ruptured and then abscessed afterwards. Seeing the way the hospital was run, all the medical equipment, how great the nurses were... I just wanted to be part of that and help people get better.

3
CrazyDuck123•

That is great ;) keep the good work!

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Thank you!

1
FullmetalPersimmon•

Have people mistaken you for a doctor?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Yes.

People assume male health care worker = doctor.

5
FullmetalPersimmon•

How did you respond?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Just had a laugh and told them the doctor would be with them shortly.

One time I told a lady that I was “just the nurse” and she looked at me and told me:

“You’re not JUST THE NURSE, you are a medical professional who is part of a team working for something so much bigger.”

Turned out she used to be a registered nurse. She ended up being one of my favourite patients I ever took care of.

6
bloodwolf2•

It's so cool you get to help people. How do you manage all the day to day tasks?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Right now it’s not too bad to manage day to day tasks because I get my schedule ahead of time. For example, my schedule might look like:

Patient A - 0800-0900

Patient B - 0915-1015

Patient C - 1030-1130

And so on and so forth. In the hospital, it mostly comes down to getting to work, getting report from the previous shift, then going to take vitals/doing a med pass, and following up with IV therapies, wound care, etc as necessary.

1
[deleted]•

Male nurses are so cute

1
rxFMS•

Does anyone call you "Nurse Get-Well"?

1
DyingFirstClassOP•

Can’t say I’ve ever been called that lol.

1