[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?
.

[Someday-C.R.N.A.]

I bet some of these guys could look pretty scary, given the right circumstances.........




..........But they don't look very scary to me.

A friendly smile and professional demeanor will serve you well, my friend.

Good luck.

[Dratz]

Heck 6 feet tall and a goatee? You sound HOT!!!. LOL You can be my nurse anyday lol.

:hatparty: :hatparty: :hatparty: :hatparty:

[jnette]

Not a problem at all.. as said above with the right attitude, and a quick, friendly, and GENUINE smile you'll woo your way into their hearts.

And CLEAN is of utmost importance... goatee, earrings, tats.. none of it matters ... but CLEAN appearance DOES !!!

A subltle suggestion.. lose the "loserboy"... and become what you truly aspire to be !!!

Wish you the BEST, my friend !

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

I had a male nurse when I was in the hospital. Yeah, he was big. Yeah, he was scary-looking. I braced myself for rough handling.

But he was gentler and kinder than most of the women nurses I had!

PS If you care about people enough to want to be a nurse, you're no loser.

[suzy253]

One of my dear friends & classmate is about 6'2, big guy, bald. He has had no problems whatsoever. He's a great nurse, has a great smile & twinkle in his eyes. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Not to worry.

[suzanne4]

You will do just fine, you may just wish to change your username to something more appropriately fitting you. This one definitely doesn't fit in my book either.

[Dinith88]

I'm very tough. IN fact...i can probably kick the butts of all the other nurses i work with. If they anger me i just hit them. They leave me alone.

..teasing...

You'll do fine. If you have a big scarey tattoo on your face you may get strange looks, but in general if you dont stink and carry yourself professionally(sp?) you'll do well.

[z's playa]

Originally Posted by AlbertaroseRN07

Heck 6 feet tall and a goatee? You sound HOT!!!. LOL You can be my nurse anyday lol.

:hatparty: :hatparty: :hatparty: :hatparty:

Seriously ! I love male nurses ! Something about a big man.....all gentle and nursy.

Z

[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.