Male Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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So my "friends" keep telling me that becoming a mail nurse is gay.

and the finance wise i wont be good later in life.

Just wanted to know how common are male nurse? are they look at differently from patients? I'm i less likely to get hired for being male?

In the short term, no.

In my hospital, they're starting to hire less associate degree RN's due to their desire to become a "Magnet" hospital. A magnet hospital means that it's the highest "honors", but what it also means is that only a very small percentage of the employees may have their associates or must be almost entirely actively looking to get their BSN in 2 - 4 years, depending.

I, personally, eventually want to get into management (don't always want to do floor nursing). Many supervisory roles demand that you either have or will be working towards your BA. This being said, it's much harder to do school and work full time (especially since the scheduling for nurses is something to be desired at times). I suggest going for it full out and just getting it done and over with. You'll be happy you did! (and that much closer to a goal of being a PA/NP/Nurse Anesthetist, etc.)

Finally this isn't to belittle those with their associates. In the field you get no more $ in your paycheck UNLESS you go for the management thing.

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being a nurse is not about being a man or a woman. It is about being compassionate and caring.

I work with a woman who you would think would be the best nurse ever. She is funny, perky, friendly, and always full of laughter. However, her patients almost always hate her. Why? Because she doesn't care. She ignores them, lets them lie in pain, lets them bleed out, doesn't listen to them... just bounces in the room and giggles all day.

I also work with a man who is very masculine and keeps to himself. You wouldn't peg him for 'nurse'. However, his patients rave about him! He goes the extra mile for them and truly has concern of their welfare.

Its not about what sort of toolbox you have, my friend, its about how you use those tools!

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Specializes in Military 21 years, SANE nursing 11 years.

Wow, Talk about not knowing what is going on in todays world. I have been working in the medical field as a paramedic since 1979. In 1999 I received my ADN in nursing, In 2006 I received my BSN in nursing and in 2010 I'll have received my MSN in nursing. Being a male in todays world in open to everything you just need to decide how far you want to push it. During that time also I spent 21 years in the United States Army, in the Airborne Infantry. In the first 10 years I worked as an PICU nurse and educator and I have just taken over as the Emergency Room educator. Working in the nursing field is great, you meet many different people from many different areas and it is such honor to work in this day and age. It dosen't matter who you rae or what you do in this field. It is about the patient, not you.

The other major job I have is that of a SANE nurse since 2000. Now that is a job very few will step up to due to the issues of todays world. I work with the infant to the adult, male and female, in this role and have never had a problem with my patients. I have had more problems with my fellow staff members due to not know what all is done with this type of patient. In this field you also work with many different law enforcement agencies and the court system. You can really make a difference in someones life in this field.

As someone else posted, male were being nurses during the Civil War and they have been battle tested from that point on. What is so different about being a nurse? It's a great job, steady pay check, meet lots of people and you get to work with many different discplines in the medical field. You need to enlighten your "friend" about todays world. Tell them to join the service and then they can make judgements on people or let them land in the ICU or ED as a patient and see who steps up to the plate.

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Being a nurse has nothing to do with your genitalia. Your friends are immature as there is nothing gay about wanting to get an education, contribute to society, have a career, make a good living, and provide care to those who can't provide for themselves. As a woman I find these things in a man to be masculine, responsible, and strong.

Follow your own dreams and don't let others sway you. There are men in nursing and with the recession I expect we will see more. Welcome and good luck!!

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Re-read op's post, hon. I think you mis-read "friends." OP is only 17 :D

LOL! I think I replied to this at 2 am...and it shows! :p

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Specializes in NICU Level III.
DON'T FEED THE TROLLS!

Besides, a 'mail nurse'? Gay? Doesn't make money? Please just stay wherever you're at.

The kid's 17 years old..this is probably a legit post... reminds me of Meet the Fockers or whichever movie Ben Stiller was a nurse in. Sadly, I still think most of society outside of the healthcare world looks at male nurses as more effeminate (ack, I can't spell anymore) and females nurses as doc's handmaids. It seems like a lot of people think we get paid WAY more than we really do, though!!

Thanks a lot for the replies, one more thing adn vs bsn. Does it make a big of a difference?

Okay, after seeing THIS post, I'm thinking troll. If you think male nurses could be gay and a bad career choice yet you know there is an ADN vs BSN debate and you're a 17 yr old guy that is new to the board..yeah...makes sense now!!

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P.S. ShayRN, I forgot to ask why you are calling me 'hon'???? I hate it when nurses use 'Elderspeak' .

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The kid's 17 years old..this is probably a legit post... reminds me of Meet the Fockers or whichever movie Ben Stiller was a nurse in. Sadly, I still think most of society outside of the healthcare world looks at male nurses as more effeminate (ack, I can't spell anymore) and females nurses as doc's handmaids. It seems like a lot of people think we get paid WAY more than we really do, though!!

Okay, after seeing THIS post, I'm thinking troll. If you think male nurses could be gay and a bad career choice yet you know there is an ADN vs BSN debate and you're a 17 yr old guy that is new to the board..yeah...makes sense now!!

I'm not a troll just asking a simple question, so just chill ;)

Because my friends thinks its gay doesn't mean i wasn't going to do i was just asking what everyone though about that statement.

And i am a mod on my gaming forums, so i know a thing or 2 about trolling and what i did was not trolling. Just to clear that up! :)

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Hey OP,

The bottom line is this: If you are actually a 17 year old wanting to go into nursing, go into nursing. Period. You are young, try it out.

Talk to advisers at your high school, and meet with university/college advisers. Go to open houses and career fairs. Job shadow an RN. Volunteer at a hospital. Work as a nursing assistant.

Also consider other healthcare careers. Job shadow and research other positions as well if you are unsure.

P.S. I don't care if you are a troll or not, I'm sure someone else will ask a similar question and hence they will come across this thread.

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Specializes in LTC.

My advice is to knock your friends upside the head and tell them to grow up.

With the whole ADN vs BSN thing look at the different programs in your area and find the one that suits you the best. Both programs produce RNs and both degrees will allow you to go back to school for more education if you so please.

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Hmmm...a troll guys? Being a male nurse isn't gay-in fact I was in the ER last night and 3 out of 4 male nurses were FINE! I'm a female, and the thought of a man who was well educated, could take care of me in any situation and wore hot blue scrubs with an RN tag, was not gay. In fact I thought of floating my number to a few of them....so, is it gay? Noo...

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At the moment i work as a dental assistant and enjoy it :)

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