all this talk about male nurses

8 posts · started Feb 10, 2007

rxis Feb 10, 2007, 11:49 PM
Ok, so what I have gathered from reading the threads about the pros and/or cons of male nursing sums up to intimidation of uncooperative patients and strength due to size.

I don't think I have an intimidating nature, although people have told me that I do at times due to my personality. I'm not a big guy and my muscles won't show through scrubs; however, I am athletic.

So what would be the benefit of having me on your staff as a male nurse? I'll just be one of the sisters?!?
Nothing? Wow! That is some blow to my inferiority complex. :firedup:

Company basketball team? Sorry, I don't play ball. Company boxing event? I'm already volunterred. But I doubt there will be one...ever:
BMFOTP Feb 11, 2007, 1:06 AM
RXIS and Others,
I have been a male nurse for 20+ years in the ICU and/or ED. What I bring to the table is my knowledge and ability to work well in a crisis and with other health care professionals. I do not care what a person’s gender, race, age, national origins or religion is if he/she is competent then they are okay with me. If a patient or staff member is intimated because you are a male then that is their problem not yours. Your responsibility to the nursing profession and yourself is to be the best you can be and that is all anyone can ask of you. Those are just my personal thoughts on the subject. :nothing:
SoldierNurse Feb 11, 2007, 8:26 AM
rxis wrote:Ok, so what I have gathered from reading the threads about the pros and/or cons of male nursing sums up to intimidation of uncooperative patients and strength due to size.

I don't think I have an intimidating nature, although people have told me that I do at times due to my personality. I'm not a big guy and my muscles won't show through scrubs; however, I am athletic.

So what would be the benefit of having me on your staff as a male nurse? I'll just be one of the sisters?!?
Nothing? Wow! That is some blow to my inferiority complex. :firedup:

Company basketball team? Sorry, I don't play ball. Company boxing event? I'm already volunterred. But I doubt there will be one...ever:
:whatever:
Cammer Feb 11, 2007, 3:34 PM
rxis wrote:Ok, so what I have gathered from reading the threads about the pros and/or cons of male nursing sums up to intimidation of uncooperative patients and strength due to size.

I don't think I have an intimidating nature, although people have told me that I do at times due to my personality. I'm not a big guy and my muscles won't show through scrubs; however, I am athletic.

So what would be the benefit of having me on your staff as a male nurse? I'll just be one of the sisters?!?
Nothing? Wow! That is some blow to my inferiority complex. :firedup:

Company basketball team? Sorry, I don't play ball. Company boxing event? I'm already volunterred. But I doubt there will be one...ever:

The main question in your posting could be summed up as "What abilities, specific to men, can a nurse, who is male, bring to the nursing profession?"

:frustrated:

The fact that someone can ask that today, after decades of civil rights awareness, attempts at societal gender and racial diversity, and equality in the workplace, really shows how far we still have to go.

As separate groups, Men and women both have general traits specific to gender. However, these traits cannot be measured in qualitative terms and these traits may exist in varying degrees from one individual to the next, with a large amount of overlap between the genders. Men and women should not be compared in terms of equality versus inequality, or superiority versus inferiority. They can only be compared in terms of balance and complementation. What one gender lacks, the other gender has an excess of. It is in this manner that the Human race has survived and prospered beyond all other species on earth. The Nursing profession today lacks this balance.

So, to answer your question; you as an man, can bring nothing specific to the nursing profession in terms of inferiority or superiority, and only you can know what special abilities you possess as an individual. However, because men are probably a minority where you work, you can provide balance to the nursing staff. You should look at this situation objectively and take pride, not in being a so-called "male nurse," but in being a Nurse, who is male.

Hmm... I think I just decided what my doctoral thesis is going to be. :)
NavyJim58 Mar 28, 2007, 9:21 PM
[QUOTE=Cammer;35929]The main question in your posting could be summed up as "What abilities, specific to men, can a nurse, who is male, bring to the nursing profession?"

:frustrated:

The fact that someone can ask that today, after decades of civil rights awareness, attempts at societal gender and racial diversity, and equality in the workplace, really shows how far we still have to go.

As separate groups, Men and women both have general traits specific to gender. However, these traits cannot be measured in qualitative terms and these traits may exist in varying degrees from one individual to the next, with a large amount of overlap between the genders. Men and women should not be compared in terms of equality versus inequality, or superiority versus inferiority. They can only be compared in terms of balance and complementation. What one gender lacks, the other gender has an excess of. It is in this manner that the Human race has survived and prospered beyond all other species on earth. The Nursing profession today lacks this balance.

So, to answer your question; you as an man, can bring nothing specific to the nursing profession in terms of inferiority or superiority, and only you can know what special abilities you possess as an individual. However, because men are probably a minority where you work, you can provide balance to the nursing staff. You should look at this situation objectively and take pride, not in being a so-called "male nurse," but in being a Nurse, who is male.

Hmm... I think I just decided what my doctoral thesis is going to be. :)[/QUO

Excellent response Cammer
teaspasser Apr 3, 2007, 11:02 PM
I enjoy working with male nurses. They are always about business and what is important. With women nurses you are more apt to deal with cut throat drama. It is not always the case but sometimes it is. When the jobs need to get done they are usually willing and ready to help. They don't tell you things like, " You call me for help to much", or I am sick this and that. I am a woman and I enjoy working with men.