Hello,
#1. Got graduated/licensed in 1997.
#2. 1995, 1 year Accelerated program for students with existing Bachelor degrees. Started pre-reqs in 1995, then nursing curriculum in 1996.
#3. I'm often asked if I'm gay, why I didn't go to medical school instead, how can I stand handling bodily fluids and excrement all day long.
#4. Very happy. The work is fulfilling, will always have a job, can go home every day knowing I've made a difference. Worked as a lab tech in hospital previously.
#5. Advantages include I don't intimidate easy, can handle the physical portions of the job relatively easily, not afraid to advocate for my patients when doctors or family members are acting like idiots. Men tend to advance further faster in nursing up the career ladder.
Disadvantages, there is a definite Gender Bias against men in nursing. There are some "seasoned" nurses who don't believe men should be in nursing so they tend to ride them harder in nursing school and out in the field.
This article illustrates the sentiment clearly:
Male Gender Bias - Entrance to No Mans Land:"Are you a male and thinking about entering the world of nursing? Have you ever wondered why they're so few men in nursing? If you are young, single and available then you have a chance in nursing. If you're an older, married or unavailable male then you really need to reconsider your options before entering nursing."
http://www.epinions.com/srvc-review-...39E61A2D-prod2
6. For the most part there is no difference. In some guys, they look at you strangely when they find out you're a nurse. When I introduce myself I usually throw in a comment about my wife and daughter and that tends to put them at ease.
Some older women are hesitant about being examined by a male, I usually ask another person to come in with me while I'm doing this.
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You can find some other interesting points of view here:
Nurses Views of the Nursing Profession
http://www.nursefriendly.com/views
Hope that helps.
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com