Male nurse. The term is not an oxymoron. Nor are we morons for choosing nursing as a profession. And no, we didn’t become nurses because we failed our “doctor’s test” or because we have some complex about who we are as men. In fact, male nursing has been around for a long time. It’s only in recent years that it was considered strange for a man to choose to work as a nurse. Take a look at this timeline history of male nursing:

300 - The Parabolani, a group of men, founded a hospital so that they could provide nursing care during the Black Plague.

1300 - St. Alexis started the Alexian Brothers - a group of men that provided nursing care for the poor and underprivileged.

1538 - John Ciudad founded the order of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God and cared for the needy. Today, Ciudad’s order runs over 250 hospitals and health centers in nearly 50 countries.

1783 - James Derham was an African American male nurse in New Orleans. He saved up enough money to buy his freedom from slavery and eventually became the first African American physician in the U.S.

1859 - Jean Henry Dunant worked as a nurse and helped to found the International Red Cross. He won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

1862-1865 - Walt Whitman serves as a nurse in the Civil War. His experiences inspired his writings - “The Wound Dresser,” “Drumtaps,” “Specimen Days,” and “Collect”.

1988 - St. Vincent’s Hospital School for Men and The Mills School of Nursing were founded for men. These schools were specifically meant to train male nurses and physicians.

1901 - The United States Army Nurse Corp was formed. Nursing went from being a male-dominated profession to being exclusively female.

1955 - After the Korean War men were once again allowed to serve as military nurses.

1979 - Joe Hogan applied to earn his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the only local school to offer such a degree - Mississippi University for Women. He was denied admission because of his gender, so he sued and the case went to trial. In the end, Hogan won. Today, any publicly funded schools for nursing are not allowed to bar men from admission.

2000s - About 6% of working nurses are male. In the army, however, 35% of nurses are male. The overall shortage of nurses is prompting more and more men to consider the field as a career choice.

Trying to find some new scrubs? Look no further than Scrubs123. A complete collection of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs - for men and women alike. Free Shipping Site Wide this week ONLY! Use Coupon Code "FreeShip"

Look sharp - graduation season is just around the corner! Have you decided what to get your graduating med student? Still not sure if a “World’s Best Doctor” mug will cut it? Check out our gift guide for med students (all items guaranteed to be more appreciated than a boring coffee mug):

• Scrubs. Do a little research and find out what type of scrubs your med student is required to (or wants) to wear. Get ‘em several pairs. Extras always come in handy!

• PDA or pocket organizer. Life is about to get extremely busy for your graduate. Help your med student to streamline his or her schedule with the gift of a PDA, smart phone, or pocket organizer.

• Work shoes. The right shoes make all the difference when your graduate is faced with long double shifts. Get your med student shoes that are comfortable, slip resistant, and lightweight. Check out Oxypas | Clara - Slip Resistant Nursing Shoes.

• Pandemic board game. Science buffs and medical nerds will swoon over this board game. Stop plagues and pandemics before the entire human race is wiped out!

• Laptop upgrade. It’s probably been a while since your med student bought his or her med school computer. It’s a bit of a pricey gift, but if you’ve got the means then why not wow ‘em with a sleek and lightweight laptop?

• Professional call bag. Doctors may not make house calls any more, but professional call bags are still hugely popular when it comes to medical briefcases. Plus, a nice leather call bag just about screams “I’m done with med school and I’m a working professional!” What more could your graduate want?

• Stethoscope. A top of the line stethoscope can be expensive (and different medical institutions require different types), but it’s a worthwhile gift. Find out if your med student has any preferences and then foot the bill for his or her first real stethoscope. (Tip: Is your med student an advocate of breast cancer awareness? Check out this special 3M Littmann® Stethoscope.)

• Gift cards for food. If you can, look for coffee shops and sandwich shops near your graduate’s future home or place of employment. They’ll be glad for some quick and free grub after long shifts.

• Snazzy business card holders. Look for fun and funky business card holders themed around your med student’s particular field of interest. If your graduate hasn’t chosen a specific branch of medicine then go with a classic style.

• Personalized memorabilia. Hey, your graduate is probably pretty excited to finally put “M.D.” after his or her name! Anything monogrammed or personalized with your med student’s new professional title will make for a memorable gift.

Scrubs123 has a wide array of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs, plus accessories and medical-themed gifts. And if you like Scrubs123.com on Facebook you’ll receive weekly information on discounts and giveaways!

Sometimes your patients are extra demanding. Sometimes they’re shy. And sometimes they’re just downright obnoxious! Even the most seasoned veterinarian knows - some days it takes a little extra effort to create a calm environment - especially when you’re dealing with sick and scared animals. Check out these tips for easing animal anxiety and keeping the peace at your veterinary clinic:

• Use your voice. Animals respond to vocal pitch and tone. Make sure your speech is calm and soothing. Avoid talking loudly, too quickly, or at a high pitch.

• Make eye contact with the pet owner, not the pet. You want to convey sincerity and attentiveness when talking with the pet owner. However, eye contact with animals often excites them rather than helping them to remain calm.

• Establish your authority. Animals can sense hesitation, fear, or insecurity. Act with confidence and the animal will be more likely to acquiesce to your exam and treatment.

• Keep animal treats on hand. Fido will be a lot more into his ear exam if he’s got a treat waiting for him! Remember, your goal is to help pets feel positive about their visit. Then, their next visit won’t be as stressful.

• Use tranquilizers when necessary. The effects of tranquilizers on an animal are far less harmful than the effects of high stress. Make sure to explain this to concerned pet owners if you feel the need to tranquilize a restless animal.

Don’t forget to keep your scrub wardrobe up to date. Visit Scrub123 for a wide selection of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs - all perfect veterinary attire! Plus, if you follow Scrubs123.com on Twitter you’ll receive daily tips and the inside scoop on giveaways and discounts.

Hey fellow med students, Jenna here! Are you surviving the semester? Hang in there! Summer is just around the corner. And for some of you this summer marks the biggest (and scariest) moment of your lives: graduation and residency. With finals looming and internship plans formulating, don’t forget take some practical steps to ensure that this new chapter of your life is exciting (and not just stressful). Check out these helpful hints for navigating life after med school:

• Be grateful, but don’t overdo it. Follow up all interviews with thank-you cards. Sincerely voice your appreciation for any insights, opportunities, or advice given by superiors. Just don’t act too mushy and gushy. No verbose groveling.

• Remember that the first year of residency is the toughest. Hold off on all major life decisions until after your first year. Once the first year passes you’ll better be able to make clear-headed decisions.

• Plan extra time for studying. You will feel less stressed if you give yourself ample amount of time to read and review, instead of waiting until the last minute. Remember, you have to plan ahead in order for this to work.

• Plan personal time. Your life will soon be swept up into long work hours, conferences, and study sessions. Set aside time (at least once a week), to care for yourself. Get a massage, go for a walk, practice guitar, play some basketball. Anything that you enjoy.

• Set a budget. You’ve probably got some serious school bills to deal with. And now that you finally have a salary it can be tempting to splurge. Schedule an appointment with a financial advisor and create a game plan for debt reduction and comfortable living.

• Have some humble pie. You learned a lot in med school. But you have a whole lot left to learn. The medical profession is not about faking it until you make it. Ask questions. Fess up to mistakes. Allow others to help you!

Ready to buy some post-graduation scrubs? Head to Scrubs123 for Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs. And be sure to like Scrubs123.com on Facebook - you’ll receive weekly tips and discount info!

-Jenna

Okay guys. It’s time to honest. Completely, gut-wrenchingly honest.

When was the last time that you went through your scrubs and decided what to keep and what to toss? Yes, we’re talking full work wardrobe evaluation here. It isn’t for the faint of heart. And if you’re scratching your head and wondering how long to keep a pair of scrubs anyways, then fear not. Just keep these basic 1-2-3 scrubs evaluation tips in mind:

1. First, try on all your scrubs. If there are any that don’t fit (or just feel weird) then toss ‘em. Or turn ‘em into cleaning rags, painting smocks for the kids, etc...

2. Now, inspect all the remaining scrubs that made the cut. Are there any stains? Are the edges of the cuffs or pants frayed? Is the fabric worn thin in the knees and elbows? If the answer is “yes” to any of the above, then toss those scrubs in the reject pile.

3. Finally, consider your workload and laundry schedule. Do you work 3 shifts a week or 6? Do you honestly do laundry once a week or once a month? Are you the type of guy that needs a fresh pair of scrubs mid-shift or can you go two days on the same pair of scrubs? Tally up how many scrubs you need to look professional every work day.

There. You’re done. Now just see if the pile of scrubs-to-keep is sufficient to match your wardrobe needs. Thinkin’ you might need to order some new scrubs? No problem. Just head to Scrubs123 for a superior selection of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs.

-Dave

Sometimes it’s about all you can do to keep your cool. Your patient’s family might be annoying, demanding, and sometimes downright rude. But as a medical professional you know that staying calm is top priority - even when dealing with anxious and irritating patient family members!

We’ve compiled some of our favorite tips for easing the anxiety of a patient’s family. Check ‘em out:

1. Listen to what they have to say. Often, just hearing a person out can ease a otherwise tense conversation. Remember, even though members of a patient’s family may sound critical and demanding, they may just be fearful or worried about the patient’s condition. It can take time, but allow anxious family members to voice their feelings and concerns.

2. Use every day language. If you do use medical jargon then be quick to explain what it means. Focus on what a medical procedure or diagnosis will mean when it comes to the daily life of the patient.

3. Be sincere. Yes, you might have the perfect sarcastic remark ready for that irritating family member. And the reality of your hectic work schedule is probably incredibly stressful. But sarcasm and rushing will do little to ease the anxiety of a patient’s family. Instead, take a moment, breathe deep, and put yourself in the shoes of your patient and his or her family. Some people are extra hard to empathize with, but sincerity will do wonders when it comes to easing anxiety.

4. Remember to reassure. You don’t have to sugarcoat a situation, but remember to reassure family members that you and the rest of your team are doing your utmost to care for the patient at hand. Don’t forget to pay attention to quiet and seemingly unconcerned family members. They may just be holding back their fears and questions.

5. Stay professional. Your behavior is being watched by the patient and his or her family. Always maintain a high level of professionalism in your appearance and your behavior with coworkers. This will speak volumes about your ability to effectively care for patients!

Do you need to update your work wardrobe? Check out Scrubs123 for a superior selection of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs & Nursing Scrubs. And if you follow Scrubs123.com on Twitter you’ll receive exclusive tips, discounts, and info on giveaways!

Whether you are a nurse or you are a friend of a nurse, you probably know how much nurses need (and love) to get gifts. Working all day to care for and please others can be taxing! We think it’s about time the nurses got a little something back. And if you’re ready to get in on the gift-giving action then check out this gift guide for nurses. It’s good for birthdays, mother’s day, father’s day, or just showin’ a little appreciation for your favorite RN.

• Pampering. When was the last time that your nurse got a manicure, pedicure, facial, or deep tissue massage? Spa treatments are a perfect way for busy medical professionals to relax and unwind.

• Clothing. This one can be tricky, but the payoff is well worth it. Does your nurse get to choose personal scrub colors? If so, then be sneaky and find out the size, color, and print that he or she has been hankering after. (Clueless as to where to purchase scrubs? Check out Scrubs123 for a wide selection of Scrub Uniforms, Medical Scrubs, & Nursing Scrubs.) Or, keep an eye on what your nurse likes to wear on days off work. He or she might not splurge on non-work clothing that often, since it seems like an unnecessary expense. Buy your nurse a classy sweater, colorful scarf, or a new pair of shoes in the style that he or she loves best!

• Gift cards. Not sure you can pick gift items out on your own? Pay attention to where your nurse shops (or where he or she wishes to shop). Then, purchase a gift card at one of your nurse’s favorite stores. Just make sure the amount you put on the gift card is near to the average cost of items in the store (a $5 gift card is good at Starbucks, but not at Nordstrom).

• Encouragement. Sometimes a simple note of encouragement can work wonders. Take the time to write down exactly why you are so grateful for the nurse in your life. If you need help formulating your thoughts then start by drafting a list of everything you love and appreciate about your nurse. Then, turn that list into sentences. Write your final draft in a thank-you card or on colorful stationary.

Shop Scrubs123 for all your favorite Nurse Gifts!