[CDNCommunityRN]

Well I just have one more thing to say. That if people see you as possibly being gay just because what you do and not getting to know who you are, do you really want to date them anyway?

Think about it.

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

Well I just have one more thing to say. That if people see you as possibly being gay just because what you do and not getting to know who you are, do you really want to date them anyway?

Think about it.

First, I'm married. However, you make a valid point. If someone judges another strictly via stereotypes, then they are certainly not worth dating. BTW, while on my first nursing job there was one nurse that I later found out thought I was gay just because I was a male nurse. She was always nice to me, etc., although I had no intention of dating her, or inquirying about such. However, when I asked why she had the misconception I was gay her reply was because I was a good looking male nurse, LOL.

Therefore, I don't like the stereotype of all male nurses being gay. Why? Because I'm a heterosexual male in the nursing profession. Let me be perfectly clear here... I realize a lot of male gay nurses don't act feminine. In the past, I've enjoyed working with all nurses, no matter there sexual orientation [now on active duty w/Army Nurse Corps]. I realize another person's sexual orientation is irrelevant regards to nursing credibility. Nonetheless, for the most part it is the general public's viewpoint, and some ignorant healthcare professionals, that most male nurses are of a feminine nature, therefore gay.

My point, "at worst being gay" was not meant as an insult to male nurses that are gay.

... think I'll stop here

[Roy Fokker]

Originally Posted by schoona

I do find it amusing though as I work in ED and often the male RN's are refered to as Dr by (especially elderly) patients.

I'm a student nurse and I get that all the time

Always reminds me of one of my seniors -- she told me that as a male in this profession, I might have a better chance because I'll always be treated with mroe respect (and deference) from authority than my female colleagues....

[johny1]

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

Well I just have one more thing to say. That if people see you as possibly being gay just because what you do and not getting to know who you are, do you really want to date them anyway?

Think about it.

Well said, if they label you with the stereotype.........NEXT!

Welcome to allnurses CDN, its a great place to drop by for an interesting debate eh.

[mingez]

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

Well I just have one more thing to say. That if people see you as possibly being gay just because what you do and not getting to know who you are, do you really want to date them anyway?

Think about it.

Ah, but another scenario to consider is not just the prospective datee thinking a male nurse is gay, and therefore undateable. But however she might be concerned about the narrow-mindedness of those in her circle (either professionally, personally or otherwise) who aren't perhaps as enlightened as she.

Now while she may understand that nursing is a wonderful profession for men, those around her might not, and thus subconciously make you slightly less attractive as a candidate.

I know I know, the response will be "would you really want to date a girl that cares so much about what others think" however at this point, aren't we limiting the possibilties a bit? Point is, it's a disadvantage, however it's one I'm willing to live with.

[johny1]

Yeah, Exellent point mingez. She may also think you are a great guy for being a nurse, but she feels you are just not her type. She likes docs and stockbroker types.

Being male, our occupation has traditionally given us status in society and yes women have high status occupations, but how important is occupation to a woman when sizing up a potential partner and how important is it to a man? I have noticed many male nurses marry a nurse also and I know the M/F ratio would have something to do with this. But maybe it is difficult to find a sincere woman outside nursing for these reasons. It could be looked two ways; Being a male nurse limits the pool of interested women or is an advantage to finding a genuine woman with an outlook and values similar to our own, whether they are nurses or not. We are not nurses (studying nursing) to fit snuggly into mainstream societies square, though one day we may. We are prepared to tread where many men have not yet the courage and insight to go. (And the pays not bad either!)

Guys, what would you think of dating or marrying a female doctor. I would hedge a bet that many women MDs would be looking to marry another doc or similar status. Though if this were a possibility, how would you feel about it?

[karenG]

there will always be stereotypes in all jobs. as men in nursing, the public assume you are gay etc, as a woman in nursing, its assumed you must be promiscious etc. As a student nurse I became very fed up with men assuming that because I wore a uniform with a starched pinny I must also wear various items of underwear....... over here a recent survey showed nurses to be the top male fantasy.

so I think it cuts both ways. There are preconceived ideas about nurses, be they male or female. At the end of the day, I work with nurses... their sex/colour/nationality is unimportant. What is important to me is the ability to do the job. I've dated men who are also nurses..... the biggest problem with that is you spent the whole time trying to out do each other with gruesome stories!! But then I have noticed that we do that to each other all the time!! (was thrown out of a student canteen recently when on a course with a bunch of other nurses.. we told tall tales and were told to leave because the 'normal' students were feeling sick at hearing our tales!)

I guess my point is, we are nurses, we are unique people who do a very tough job. we dont fit nicely into little boxes, and we do tend to socialise together (who else has our sense of humour?) over here nurses tend to socialise with members of the fire services and police services.. same rotten hours and same SOH. I married a biochemist who works in the hospital lab..

so.. I'm proud to be who I am, and I am very pleased to work with good nurses...

though the student nurse who told me this week that as a man in nursing he expected to become a manager very quickly because of his sex.. very nearly got strangled!! He has a lot to learn.. including how not to upset a senior nurse

Karen

[johny1]

Originally Posted by karenG

there will always be stereotypes in all jobs. as men in nursing, the public assume you are gay etc, as a woman in nursing, its assumed you must be promiscious etc. As a student nurse I became very fed up with men assuming that because I wore a uniform with a starched pinny I must also wear various items of underwear....... over here a recent survey showed nurses to be the top male fantasy.

so I think it cuts both ways. There are preconceived ideas about nurses, be they male or female. At the end of the day, I work with nurses... their sex/colour/nationality is unimportant. What is important to me is the ability to do the job. I've dated men who are also nurses..... the biggest problem with that is you spent the whole time trying to out do each other with gruesome stories!! But then I have noticed that we do that to each other all the time!! (was thrown out of a student canteen recently when on a course with a bunch of other nurses.. we told tall tales and were told to leave because the 'normal' students were feeling sick at hearing our tales!)

I guess my point is, we are nurses, we are unique people who do a very tough job. we dont fit nicely into little boxes, and we do tend to socialise together (who else has our sense of humour?) over here nurses tend to socialise with members of the fire services and police services.. same rotten hours and same SOH. I married a biochemist who works in the hospital lab..

so.. I'm proud to be who I am, and I am very pleased to work with good nurses...

though the student nurse who told me this week that as a man in nursing he expected to become a manager very quickly because of his sex.. very nearly got strangled!! He has a lot to learn.. including how not to upset a senior nurse

Karen

Its a pity it wasn't the other way around, people assuming women in nursing were lesbians and men in nursing were promiscuous! ...Oh......Er......maybe it wouldn't make any difference, men would still be annoying female nurses and women wouldn't be interested in male nurses they think have nothing else on their minds

Damned stereotypes, ya can't get away from them

On a serious note, you are right, nurses are nurses in reality and are a very unique and diverse group. I think it's important for us guys in nursing to talk about this because the stereotype is there and we are a minority. I don't think I have really talked in-depth about this subject before posting this thread. I am very glad I did as I feel a lot of ground has been covered. I don't know about anyone else, but I have gotten alot from this discussion.

Thanks all for your input.

[Balder_LPN]

Originally Posted by Warpster

Think of it as a twit filter. People who are worth knowing will accept you for who you are and what you do. People who snicker up their sleeves and worse are generally the world's biggest jackasses and life is too short to put up with them if you don't have to.

Thats the main point I was trying to make earlier. You put it very well, with a lot less words, I bet people even read your whole post (unlike my wordy diatribe)

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by Balder

Thats the main point I was trying to make earlier. You put it very well, with a lot less words, I bet people even read your whole post (unlike my wordy diatribe)

Looks like to me on this Thread nobody reads my post.