[nurselizk]

There are an enormous number of nurses not currently practicing, and most of them are women because of the demographics of the profession. The fact that they have children may be coincidental or their desire to spend time at home with their children may simply have been what pushed them over the edge, so to speak, in a profession where great working conditions are not the norm. It is illegal to take into account whether a job candidate has the potential to become pregnant when making a hiring decision--and that protection was hard-won, and a long time coming. I know of a nurse manager who hired only older women thinking that they wouldn't take time off for maternity leaves or sick children, only to find out that they took time off to care for elderly parents. I think having more men on the unit makes it a better work environment. And it's not because they can't get pregnant....

[elizabells]

Originally Posted by nurselizk

It is illegal to take into account whether a job candidate has the potential to become pregnant when making a hiring decision--and that protection was hard-won, and a long time coming.

This is why HR is no longer allowed to ask "where do you see yourself in five years?" Not to say some of them don't still ask, but you technically don't have to answer them.

[HM2Viking]

No men don't get preference. If you really want to get in the best way is to be professional in your communications. Apply to several schools. Always ask to be put on the waiting list.

My mother as a retired nurse educator always tells the story of how a man showed up 4 days before classes were to start. The DON told him to show up Mon morning and be ready to go. He would have a slot if there awas a no show. There was a no show and he was accepted. As far as I know he went on to be a very successful LPN.

Moral of the Story: Show up. Put your best foot forward and you can succeed.

[Aprilhere]

Originally Posted by playbanjogood

Thank you for your help. I know three RNs and only one of them is still working. I think working mothers have a great deal of responsibility and courage. Maybe I was a bit too blunt with my statement in my first thread. Im sorry if I offended you. However, please look at the facts. Women get pregnant. They often feel the responsibility to stay home and take care of their newborn. Just as fathers should feel the responsibility to provide for their families. I do understand that not everyone has an ideal situation. I know a few single mothers and they are some of the most courageous people I have known.

Hmm...maybe you should see the thread about the large amount of RN's who are supporting their family while their husband's stay home. THis is a very old fashioned view. I also believe it's illegal for companies to hire based on potential to get pregnant.

[mlblmt]

Originally Posted by playbanjogood

Hi, my name is Jason and I am a prenursing student attending ASU. I have fulfilled a majority of my prerequisites and have scored generally well. I applied to the nursing program in December 2007 but am almost sure that I did not get accepted. My GPA was a 3.5 and my overall net score was a 75%. My question is, do I still have a chance of being accepted? Since I am male do I have priority to students who are bound to get pregnant, start a family and quit the profession?

Sorry to beat a dead horse but are you kidding me?!?! I've just recently gotten accepted into, imho, the best ADN program in NE Florida and worked my butt off to get there. I worked full-time while attending school full-time with a wife and child, gpa of 3.41 and scored 126 on the NAT (of which only 120pts max were accepted). "People" say that males get preference. Who are these "people"? They obviously didn't make the determination of who would be in my class of 75 that starts in May. And, here it goes, it completely boggles my mind that in 2008 someone can think/say that about women! I, as a married male of 13 yrs was offended. I, as a black male who is bombarded with how much affirmative action is ruining the country was offended. I, as an older student having to compete with younger brains with fewer responsibilities was offended. I can say unequivocally that I have EARNED my spot in class. I do hope that you take to heart the words of some of the other posters. Please examine the reasons why you want to be a nurse, I implore you. Maybe I'm reading/making to much out of this, but if this is how you think before you're even in nursing school, what will be you attitude when dealing with patients?

[Valerie Salva]

I hate to burst your bubble, playbanjogood,

but men leave the nursing profession at twice the rate that women do-

"One additional surprising finding is that beginning male nurses are leaving the profession at twice the rate of women."

Specifically, the research found that:

o in the most recent nurse survey, 7.5 percent of new male nurses dropped out of nursing within four years of graduating from nursing school, compared to 4 percent of women;

o the dropout rate for both male and female new graduates is accelerating, rising from 2 percent of men in 1992 to 7.5 percent in 2000; and 2.7 percent of women in 1992 to 4.1 percent in 2000;


http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn/article.php?435&hlt

[HM2Viking]

We need to figure out how to prevent attrition of new nurses....

[Valerie Salva]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

We need to figure out how to prevent attrition of new nurses....

And of not-so-new nurses....

[CANurse2B]

Perhaps the tendency shown here...of some to "eat their young" for a young person asking a, perhaps badly worded, question is one of the reasons for dissatisfaction in the nursing profession felt by some. Lighten up folks!
I bet all he can think of now is "gee, I hope I never make a mistake in word or deed...look how I will be treated!".

[karenG]

Originally Posted by CANurse2B

Wow. Perhaps the tendency by some here to "eat their young" in response to a badly worded question might be one reason some feel dissatisfaction after working in Nursing. I bet all he can worry about now is the hope that he never makes a mistake in word or deed....only to be devoured. Lighten up folks!

I would suggest that no-one is 'eating their young', merely expressing dismay that a potential nurse would think that he should get preference because he is male and unlikely to have children. I personally think a nurse should be chosen on ability, not colour/sex etc. if he gets the grades, then i hope he gets a place.

and one day someone must explain this grade system to me.. havent a clue what any of it means!

Karen