10 rules for nursing students

6. One in 10 of your female classmates is looking to meet a doctor. One in 10 of your male classmates might be, too. Deal with it.

Not much you can do about that one, unfortunately. The most you can hope for is that she’ll leave the plum job she gets as soon as she meets a likely resident, leaving the position open for you.

Before anybody accuses me of stereotyping or downing young female nurses, may I present the following evidence? Out of 19 female classmates, one was in nursing school so her husband would “get off her back” about getting a job. She was pregnant at the beginning of our last semester. Another two were self-professed doctor-hunters. A fourth was admittedly in it for the money, and took a job at a pediatric clinic with the expectation that it would be low work/high pay (heh). A fifth was “drifting,” in her own words, and didn’t know if she’d actually use the degree or take up crystal healing.

Is it any wonder I was valedictorian of my class?

7. You will have no life for two to four years. Don’t worry. It’ll still be there when you get back.

I swear. Really. Honest. You’ll be able to sleep and get haircuts and go dancing and everything.

8. Everybody thinks they flunked the NCLEX. Few people actually do. Go ahead and get blasted anyhow.

9. Yes, you do look dorky in those whites.

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