Start My Nursing Degree in Feb

I just accepted the offer of a bachelor's degree in nursing at Newcastle University. Three years of study, one year as a graduate nurse, then off to become a stomal nurse. Wish me luck in my new career.

As a retired nurse, I think that is great you will have a wonderful understanding of our problems and how to help. Hope you succeed.

Yahoooooo! Another butt wiper, I would have to say, though I would like a girl to play with my butt. Though, guess good luck.

That's great news. You are perfect for the job. Going back to school at this age gives you a new lease on life, I can tell you. Congratulations!

Bravo Gus! What a career change ... I agree, you're going to be perfect for it.

May you enjoy every minute of your new adventure.

I'm proud of you
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!

Beatrice

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Good wishes to you!
I have been a nurse for 17 years. I am delighted you have chosen to work in the WOCN field (if you're unsure what that is, I challenge you to research it—sorry, former nursing instructor coming out. I have been in many areas of nursing and have enjoyed them all. I encourage you to be open to all aspects of nursing. Before I get in trouble for potentially taking your great abilities away from ostomates, I just wanted to let you know that nursing is a great profession that has multiple facets to it. Welcome to my world! -DancinDiva

Thank you, gang. WeeWee, you can wipe your own front butt, mate. You're not a cripple, lol. Um, let's see, Wound, Ostomy, and Continence nursing. How'd I do, Diva?

Excellent my friend!

Good on you, mate, a very special kind of people. I cannot imagine why you folk become nurses, especially knowing what they had to do for me. However, having said that, I am very grateful that you do become nurses. I hope that you do well in your studies and become a Stomal Therapy Nurse too.
Doug

Congratulations. That is fantastic news. Are you going to tell the others on the course about your ileostomy? I remember when I was doing my course, we all had to do a 20-minute talk in front of the class about an illness. The teacher put all the names of different illnesses in a container, and we all had to pick one out, not knowing what we were going to get. Well, I reckon my luck was in that day because I pulled out the one for ulcerative colitis. I had to do no research whatsoever, did the 20-minute talk in front of the class with no problems at all, and got a distinction for the subject. Lol. No one knew that I had ulcerative colitis or that I have an ileostomy. How lucky was that? Anyway, I know you will make a fantastic nurse.

When I had my colostomy performed 5 weeks ago, my hospital nurses did not seem to know the difference between an ileostomy and a colostomy. So maybe they weren't stoma nurses, but I would have thought they should have known that much. You think? Best of luck, Gus, wish there were more of us ostomates in the biz!

I was in the hospital for 4 months last year. Imagine my surprise to have the same experience as a traveling lady? Many of the nurses didn't know what to do about "that bag thing." So my wife told them to contact the Stomal Therapy nurse on our floor. I was out of it, so I don't know much about this, but eventually, they were "educated." Most of my nurses were quite young, so perhaps they were lacking in practical experience, but it does surprise me.

Once again, Gus, my best wishes for a successful career. A STN with an ostomy would have to be a great asset.
Doug

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Good on you, guys! Yeah, never met an ostomate, but since we are both Australians, keep the Aussie spirit when you're doing the stomal therapy. I know two, and wow, after 20 and 30 years, they are so inspiring and funny, like me, hehehe. I love seeing stomas; I thought it was weird, but I get it now. I even had my stoma cherry, Cheza, to her friends, haha. Photographed ulcer, but have to find out what ugly chart it went on. Congrats, Newcastle! Hey, yeah, same old. I know someone from up there, lol. By the way, my niece is just coming into her second year of double degree paramedicine/nursing. She was a bit overwhelmed when I made her come to the ER the other week; she can't wait for Ambos part. We need more Aussie nurses; sorry, overseas nurses, but we do. Keep up the good work and no perving, lol. Mare from Melbourne xx
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I was a nurse for 30 years—way to go! We need you out there—one of the real problems out there is that the people designing for ostomy care rarely have one. Maybe you can help design items that really work.

Congratulations! Gus, as a fellow Ostomate, you will be an absolutely valuable resource to those yet to experience becoming an Ostomate.
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Best wishes in your new career.

Hello to you, from the other Portland, on the coast (Maine)!