Experiences???

[jv_625]

I was wondering what the attitude towards males in the nursing field are these days and what experiences, positive or negative, have any of You experienced? The admin at my school says that males are fully excepted but the anecdotal evidence I am getting says this is not the case, especially when I tell people what I am going to school for. This has me worried to the point where I am thinking of changing majors to PT, OT, or maybe even Radiation Tech. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc

Marc,
I just started nursing last year after quitting my job in science research. I thought that gender was still an issue in nursing. However, my encounters with peers and other people are mixed though mostly positive. True, I can get some raised eyebrows once in a while when they know that I am studying nursing but I really don't care since it's a decent and well paying job plus you can have flexibility in your schedule. I think that the increasing number of males taking up nursing will bring a positive impact in the profession. If females can take up engineering and penetrate other "male-dominated" professions, why can't we go into nursing? Hang in there, I think you're doing the right thing! Good Luck.

[MountainMan]

I am a 50yo General Contractor in Denver and have decided to change horses in mid stream. I still outwork most of the guys in their 20's 30's and 40's , not out of competition but simply out of ability. However I ended up in construction out of shear undirected coincidence. Caring about and for people is more about me than building houses. I care about the people I build things for, but that only gets you run-over in the end and cuts profits by a huge margin.
I quite confidently tell the tough-ass guys I've employed and worked with over the years I am becoming a nurse and to my face they take it very well, perhaps a little puzzled but very well. My friends all react alarmingly consistently "you would make a GOOD nurse', almost as if they expected it of me. I might add most of my friends are in health care, from Coding-Specialists to Doctors.
I may have the underlying knowlege that most anyone who thinks me effeminate or a sissy wouldn't last 2 hours working along side me in construction. Quite honestly it is a mid-level aerobic charge 10 hours a day 5 days a week, so I don't have a reluctance to state my intentions.
In the end it is about whether you are tough enough to be a nurse or not, regardless of gender. Some women are tougher than some men, and you, if you want to be a NURSE have to be tougher than most men!

[Dat Mann]

Personally, I don't want to be appreciated when there are heavy patients around. Men get back pain too. I want to be appreciated for being a nurse, NOT just for some male-specific tasks I can perform.

[Cammer]

Personally, I don't want to be appreciated when there are heavy patients around. Men get back pain too. I want to be appreciated for being a nurse, NOT just for some male-specific tasks I can perform.

I agree. I just heard about a friend of mine who now has a rotator cuff injury that occurred during lifting someone else's patient. He is out on disability and may not be able to return to bedside nursing. It might be considered partially or mostly his fault that it ocurred, but the root of the problem is that men are still merely seen as "useful to have around" by a lot of women.

[badphish]

From an EMS/ retired Army point of view i dont see that "male nurse" as an issue. i see many "male nurses" everyday when i give report at the various ERs.

when i frst moved out here to FLA before all my state certifications were worked out for my paramedic i worked in the CDU as a tech with an awesum guy named mario from canada this guy worked his ass off. he's the nurse i hope to model my myself after when i get done wth all this schooling.

in the army women were the minority pretty much everywhere with the exception of nurses. lucky for me throughout my career in the military i got to work with and near women (cause i luv women) my paramedic partner currently is female we call each other work spouses cause we spend 1/3 of our time together. iwouldnt trade her for anything. shes smart and sensitive and is much better at communicating with patients after midnight than i am.

so anyways, i have suggestion for a few other forums;

short male nurses (me 1 day); "step stools in every patient room"

alien male nurses " do you think the extra thumbs r a help or a hinderance"

republican male nurses " we dont need no stinking national healthcare"

short male nurses wth a napolean complex " sure i can reach that, why do u ask?"

and finally:

female nurses that were once male nurses; "today on maury"




peace out

[ICUCHARGE]

I have noticied a couple of things about being a male nurse. On Med-Surg units some of the older patient might question why a male is a nurse. It is very hard to get a position in an OB/L&D/Nursery unit. In the specialty units such as ICU/ED/Cath lab/Surgery there is no question. Most of my supervisors prefer males over females from a business stand point in that the males tend to call in sick less often (no monthly periods and mood swings), tend to work extra shifts, less gossiping about fellow workers, better team work together, and no pregnancy leave for 3 monthes. Just from my experience, and I know this post will upset some folks, on my shift (which is mostly male RNs in an ICU), things just run smoother and quietier even when multiple patients are not doing well.

[justatraveler]

I have noticied a couple of things about being a male nurse. On Med-Surg units some of the older patient might question why a male is a nurse. It is very hard to get a position in an OB/L&D/Nursery unit. In the specialty units such as ICU/ED/Cath lab/Surgery there is no question. Most of my supervisors prefer males over females from a business stand point in that the males tend to call in sick less often (no monthly periods and mood swings), tend to work extra shifts, less gossiping about fellow workers, better team work together, and no pregnancy leave for 3 monthes. Just from my experience, and I know this post will upset some folks, on my shift (which is mostly male RNs in an ICU), things just run smoother and quietier even when multiple patients are not doing well.

I agree with most of what you've said. I'd rather work with men. But remember the average age of RN's in this country is rising so the period issue will soon become moot.:39: And I'm sure the mood swings are directly related to the male species :houra: :houra: :houra: ... And as for working extra. My average week is 55 hours. So for one female nurse your argument doesn't hold. BTW I can't get pregnant no equipment anymore....

As I said I'd rather work with men too.

As an added thought, do YOU act differently when you work with all men? Could that be why things are quieter. Just curious.

[cassioo]

maybe it's where you work. On my all female unit it does get loud as we have lots of talkers but very few that call in and many that work extra shifts as well as multiple jobs...and men not being off on maternity leave can be changing as men can take FMLA for a new baby...my husband did then quit his job and has been the stay at home dad for 8 years now.

[ChrisChirdo]

I dont like being referred to as a male nurse or being considered "lifting assistance". i havent had too many bad experiences with females, as i am amazingly charming and handsome. lol

[SoldierNurse]

I dont like being referred to as a male nurse or being considered "lifting assistance". i havent had too many bad experiences with females, as i am amazingly charming and handsome. lol

... neither are you modest!