If you’re sick or hurt around the Cramer family, you’re going to get a lot of free advice.
Cramer brothers Paul, 27, and Dan, 25, both graduates of the UNMC College of Nursing’s bachelor’s degree program, are nurses and both enrolled in the college’s family nurse practitioner program.
Health care runs in the Cramer family. No less than 10 members of the Cramer family, direct and extended, are UNMC students, health care practitioners, faculty members and alumni.
Nancy, mother to the Cramers, had a dream to be a nurse. But a car accident at the age of 17 left her blind. Her dream lives on through her sons.
“It’s been a real blessing to be able to make our parents happy,” Paul said. “My mother’s visual impairment exposed me to the amazing capabilities of the human body at a very early age. Since high school I knew I wanted to get into some area of health care.”
His initial thought about nursing was that it’s a profession for women. “Sure, there’s a stereotype. But I have seen a lot of male nurses. It’s a well-respected profession.
I just love it. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.” Both said the stigma of being a male in nursing is fading.
“I remember a nursing school instructor saying you are going to have issues with patients who don’t want a male nurse. I can honestly say no patients have ever raised the issue,” Paul said.
Dan said when people find out he’s a nurse, they ask different questions.
“All of a sudden they feel very comfortable asking me to look at various ailments they have been having,” he said.
He loves the interaction in nursing.
“It’s rewarding to be there with patients. They can count on me to make their hospital stay as enjoyable as possible. I love being that person that helps take care of someone during what probably isn’t the high point in their life.
“We were raised to be caring and helpful to others,” Dan said. “I have always wanted to take care of others. Nursing allows me to do that both physically, emotionally and spiritually.”