Male Nurses.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 30, 2003

Good post Snakum. Life isn't always about the money.

MR.PICURN · May 30, 2003

I'm a relatively new nurse, married to a nurse of 12+ years experience. I currently make more money than does she but then again it's most likely due to the fact she works for the health dept. where I work in the hospital. If she chose to go back to the hospital, she would only make a coulple of dollars more an hour than me. As far as the respect issue is concerned, I think people who are knowledgable and speak intelligently get treated with respect. I get called doctor by most of the patients and families because I'm a male. I find myself having to explain to them that I am the nurse and the doctor is a female.

The biggest difference between the male nurses and the female nurses where I work is that the female nurses are more offten interested in what everyone else is doing besides themselves where as the male nurses are not interested in that, and are there to just do the job and maybe even have some fun while doing it. (by the way, this is not inclusive of all females and was not a comment intended to be sexist in anyway so ladies please do not get offended.) Can't we all just get along....

Tommydboy · May 30, 2003

I've been in nursing for 8 years as an RN and I can't say I've ever received a promotion or position due to my sex. I currently work in as office doing precertifications for an Insurance Co and work with 10 other nurses (all female). I am the first male in this office and know for a fact that they didn't hire me because I am a guy! I gotta say the number of male nurses is growing because people are starting to realize that being a male nurse doesn't mean being gay! To be quite honest... Every male nurse that I've ever worked with has been a great nurse. Maybe it is because we are still considered to be the minorities in this field and have to live up to certain expectations. Good luck with your goals.

graysonret · May 30, 2003

As a male nurse, coming on 16 years, I haven't seen any difference in pay or advancement, due to gender. And, no, I haven't met any gay male nurses either. Biggest problem I have in working with patients, is many of them consistantly want to call me "doctor". BTW, male nurses were the original nurses here in the U.S.. It was considered very unladylike to work with wounds and body fluids.

Dayray, RN · May 31, 2003

Hehe I can't help it wasn't going to respond but every time the gender thing comes up I have to.

Do men advance faster or get higher pay?

No...Remember it's usually women setting the pay scale and hiring for the jobs

The ego stroking comment although a joke was very telling to me. As someone pointed out before the "male ego" has no place in nursing. You have to learn to take orders and even crap from people without the traditional puffing up and posturing that us guys usually do.

Well I am sure some will disagree with me. Being a man in nursing is difficult. I don't think it's any harder then it must have been for the first women doctors.

My grandmothers graduated valedictorian with a 4.5 grade point average and allot of honors. She is one of the most intelligent people male or female I know. She was not allowed in med school because at that time med-schools only excepted 1 women a year and there were people shined up for the next 5 years.

There are many issues you have to deal with as a male in nursing. Patients commonly call me doctor not because they think I am one but because they are afraid to offend me by calling me nurse. I have had many problems with other nurses centered on my gender.

I have had nasty cruel untrue rumors spread about me and had to answer them to administration. My director once conducted interviews of all my patients for 5 weeks to be sure my gender didn't offend them (I got only complements and not one complaint).

I'm not crying or looking for sympathy, I think I have finally come to acceptance of these things and my role as a nurse who happens to be a man. I'm just telling you so you aren't too shocked if you do become a nurse.

The hardest part of being a man in nursing is coming to grips with the conflicts between what society tells you, you should be and what you really are.

I am not gay yet I am comfortable showing love and compassion for other human beings for some people these things just don't make sense and that is the source of much of the male hating that goes on in nursing and the hardest part for me was reconciling all this. So many people (Nurses not patients not doctors just nurses) seemed to think there was something wrong with me, I had to question it my self.

Anyway I dunno if that made sense but just know if you do become a male in nursing you will have to deal with some of these issues. If your reasons are right for being a nurse and you are strong enough you will be fine .. If not then you will be one of those 7.5%

JefferyRN · May 31, 2003

Michael, congratulations on your decision to become a Registered Nurse. Whether male or female, we need people of quality and integrity to further advance our profession. I will caution you, however, if you're becoming a nurse just to make money, it is likely that you will not last. You have to have passion for nursing in order to be successful. Don't let money drive you, let your passion. Always take time to remember WHY you decided to become a nurse. Congratulations, again, and good luck in school.

RN_MIKE · May 31, 2003

I must say that as a male nurse being fairly new to the field, I have noticed that many of the female nurses are very friendly. Males are a hot commodity in nursing. Not that women get sick of each other, but they all want to befriend the male nurse because why you ask???? Why not? Its the nature of the beast. Its different conversation, different views, a different sense of humor, and some harmless flirting from both sides. For the most part male nurses have a different quality about them that most women find attractive. The ability to nuture human life openly and honestly and without shame. Of course, we must be competent in what we do or none of that means anything. But the truth of the matter is, everything else being the same......males have the edge so thats one point for the good guys..... Take it easy ladies and fellas. Do I make sense??? Maybe in my mind only. I guess its just something I feel, it may be specific to my environment and me as an individual.

FutureRNMichael · May 31, 2003

RN_Mike - Funny signature!! :chuckle

I enjoy reading all of your views esp. the male nurses. Though it is great to hear all sides!!

The main reason I would like to become a Nurse is because I do have no problems showing compassion,kindness or being caring to others. In fact, it is something I get extreme satisfaction from. I never knew this about myself until I started working in a assisted living facility caring for seniors but I can tell now that is has always been there. As some of you guys seem to say, that is a key componet to being a Nurse and male at the same time.

Regards, Michael

lrbuck · Jun 1, 2003

As a future male nurse, I have been told by several nurses that being I am a man, my future in nursing will be limitless. Since a man is a minority in the field of nursing, a male nurse can get practically whatever he wants jobwise,receive faster promotions, and receive higher pay. All of these things sound great, but is that WHY I should want to go into nursing as opposed to any other medical field?

At 37 yrs old, I wonder if I have waited too late in my career decision. I DO think that I would do well in nursing school because I am much more focused than I was in my 20s, but since I have been in the workforce for many years now, I now have bills and other obligations that are hindering me from going to school full time. I wish I could find a way to go to school full time and pay my bills without having to work, but that doesn't seem likely anytime soon. Anyone have any suggestions???????

For other males who enjoy this site, there is a great site for males with a lot of info on being a male in the nursing field. It is http://www.malenursemagazine.com, so you guys check it out. There is also a great article in the May issue of AJN magazine about the recruitment of males for the field, as well as issues that concern other males.

As stated above by several nurses, the issue isn't whether or not you are male or female. It's whether or not you can do the job. I agree with that completely.

"Caring Knows No Gender"- from AJN magazine May 2003

RN_MIKE · Jun 1, 2003

I would just like to say that............... "I AM A MALE NURSE"

straba · Jun 1, 2003

Out of 50 students in my BSN program there's only four of us guys. I was just happy not to be the only one!

RN_MIKE · Jun 1, 2003

I believe there were 60 students in my nursing class. I was 1 out of 6 guys. I enjoyed every bit of nursing school. I don't think I could've had a better time in any other major.