The overnight care department of the Rehabilitation Hospital Beroun is busy. Patients are coming for planned interventions, others are already recovering after surgery. Among the medical staff there is a young energetic man - Mgr. Tomáš Vitásek, a general nurse in intensive care, whom patients often call "nurse" or simply "Tomáš".
"It's a busy day, but we have a moment before the other patients from the ward arrive," says Tomáš Vitásek with a smile. Tomáš successfully completed his master's degree last week and wants to continue his education in the field. He is one of the few men who have chosen the profession of nurse. He says he came to this field despite initial doubts and discouragement from his mother, who works as a nurse in the ICU.
Teamwork and human approach
The inpatient ward has a specific daily routine, which is highly dependent on the number of surgeries scheduled within the Arthroscopy Day Care Centre. The shift usually starts with the discharge of patients who have undergone surgery the previous day. However, not all are required to stay overnight, some are discharged the same day. At the same time, new patients are admitted in the morning for elective procedures. "In the morning, we discharge, dress and educate patients who are going home. We prepare the surgeries, administer premedication and take patients to the operating room. After surgery, they come back to our ward where we monitor vital signs, check wounds, put on braces, provide medication, help with verticalization and first movements," says Tomáš Vitásek.
Cooperation between nurses and orderlies is crucial in the day care unit. "We have experienced nurses and young colleagues. It wouldn't be possible without good cooperation. The team that sticks together is actually the basis of our work."
He breaks down stereotypes with a smile
Communication with the patient is also key, he says: "Patients are often nervous. It helps if we talk to them, explain what is ahead of them. And sometimes a little humour helps. For example, if they don't know what to call me. I tell them I can hear everything. That usually makes them laugh."
The term "nurse" does not officially exist in Czech terminology. "So I'm a pure nurse (laughs). Either we agree that they just call me by my name, or nurse, and feel free to call me brother. I leave it up to them," explains Tomas.
And it is humour that helps Tomas even in a predominantly female environment. "I feel comfortable here among my female colleagues. We make jokes, that's part of it. Sometimes female patients wish that a woman would rather prepare them for surgery, I respect that. But so far during my work I haven't experienced that being a man is a problem."
Work that draws you in
There are still few men in nursing positions compared to women, but the situation is gradually changing. "It's a job that sucks you in," says nurse Tomas. She uses her knowledge outside the hospital, too. She goes to medical events or helps out as a lifeguard in her spare time. He tells future and current colleagues, " Healthcare is not easy, but it is meaningful. When you have a good team around you, it works. The beginnings are hard, but then come the internships and first shifts, and you find the work is crazy interesting."
And in the words of head nurse Iva Germeková: " Tomas is very popular in our team - not only because of his empathy, but also because of his professional approach. I wish there were more Tomášs like him. The male element in such a ward is in demand and we are glad to have him."
