[malenurse1]

I am 6', 225. I have a mustache and during the winter I usually grow the goatee (it gets cold here in Wisconsin!) I must admitt that I have had a few patients look me up and down, but I can also tell you how great it feels to have one take you by the hand look into you eyes and say "you are really nice, thank you". I always try to enter my patients rooms with a smile on my face (it really helps).
I must say there are times when size helps though, such as when a patient is combative or confused.
I agree with the other that you need to change your name here. Follow your dream and you will never be a loser!

[psalm]

...during my first clinicals one of the floor nurses was bald, tall and big. His smile lit the room and he was so approachable. I now work with a former fireman who is an NA and going to go to nursing school. He is big, tall and bald, but his demeaner is the same as the other nurse. We love him, esp. when we need some back up with a verbally abusive or threatening pt. And he asks for our help with some of the little older ladies who love him to tears but don't want him to do personal care. TEAM WORK!!
...good luck and change your name to something positive, like Winner, Tops, or something cool. God bless.

[Tweety]

Looks are only part of the equation. How you carry yourself, your body language, your stance, the look at your face conveys much more than a shaved head and goatee.

Look at the guys in the pictures above. Their body language and smiles speak volumes for the caring person inside.

Good luck to you!

[wa-rn]

SMILE!
When I meet a new patient, nothing says “I am a friendly & caring nurse” like a big smile as soon as I step in the room, that is the first thing that a patient notices about me...even the really sick & miserable patient like to see that smile...
We are there to make them feel better, even if it was for just a moment

[loserboy]

I know that my attitude will help more than anything else, so I am not too worried. I guess I am more curious to hear if people get so intimidated that they do not want to deal with you. I am glad to hear that it does not really happen if you have a positive attitude, it will show through the rough exterior.

I think the name loser boy is a very positive name, and it reflects me perfectly. I have lost lots of things lately, and I am very glad that I have lost them, and I hope I never find them again.

[rclimbr]

Thank you for the post and thanks to everyone else for the reply. I managed a pawnshop for 5 years and have a ponytail,beard and mustache. I have been told I look scary and at a pawn shop that is great. I start nurse school in the spring and was worried about pat. reaction but now I know there are others in the same boat.

[karenG]

Interesting posts.

over here, we had the infamous 'carry on' films and lots of people think of the images portrayed in those films as being realistic! if you havent seen them.......no loss but think of big busted blondes in short tight uniforms!!!

a nurse.. seems to come in all shapes, sizes and colours! a guy I trained with was worried his height (6'3) and colour would go against him.. he was very black. he got mothered by all and sundry.........especially when he managed to get sunburnt! hes a great nurse and I loved working with him.. hes now a social worker putting the world to rights.

so smile... its the smile and the way you behave that makes you a nurse, not what you look like.

should point out, I got turned down for nurse training initially because at 5'1 I wasnt considered tall enough to be able to lift effectively! got accepted eventually and never had a problem lifting...........that was 26yrs ago.

Karen

[FungManX]

Originally Posted by rogramjet

It's not a look it's an attitude. Smile be genuine, that's what it takes. The femal nurses will love you. Believe me, You will get asked to help patients up into bed constantly, they love having big strong guys around.

heh i was wondering, do the women nurses like to go for the male nurses or the doctors more.. or equally?

I wouldn't want a career where I don't get attention from any girls at all

[markjrn]

Originally Posted by loserboy

Hi there, I am entering university for my first year of nursing in Sept. I have been working in retail for 12 years, so I am good at handling all sorts of people. The thing is I am 6' tall 200lbs, have a shaved head and a goatee. Now I have never really cared what people think about the way I look, and more than a few have told me that I look intimidating, and some have said I am down right scary.

Looking scary or tough is nice when I am walking around the bad neighborhood, but I have found that some people go on the defensive very quick because they seem scared or intimidated. I am good at diffusing tense situations; I have talked my way out of some real hairy ones. I feel I have a positive attitude and try to encourage all those around me to be their best.

I guess when I think of what a nurse should look like, even a male, I do not see the image of some bald ugly guy as the ideal. I just wonder if this will cause more problems than it can solve. Yes I am very strong physically so I would not have too hard of a time moving patients, heck I used to unload trucks that were filled with frozen meat, and the hunks of beef weighed almost as much as a person.

I wonder will a tough looking exterior give people the initial impression that I am not possible of nursing, and lead to needless verbal confrontations. Are there other men in my situation? Again I am referring to first impressions, I am very polite and respectful of those around me. After I talk to most people they see that I am really harmless. I just worry about those people who will refuse to know me because they feel so intimidated.

Anyways have gone on too long I just thought that I would air this curiosity of mine and see of there are any other men that have this problem or maybe thought the way I did. Ohh yeah, is there a way a male nurse should look?
.

I'm the same height and weight as you and have worn the "skinhead" look for years. It can look pretty harsh. At times I have a goatee also, it just depends on my mood. I have never had any real confrontations. No one seems to care. I think that if you're a good nurse, that's what people will see.

Good luck!

[markjrn]

Originally Posted by FungManX

heh i was wondering, do the women nurses like to go for the male nurses or the doctors more.. or equally?

I wouldn't want a career where I don't get attention from any girls at all

My DW who is also an RN says that (in her opinion) it has nothing to do with the letters behind your name and that if you're a good guy, nature will take its course. Seriously, she's sitting right her, and that's what she said!