"Medic" to replace the term "nurse"

Nurses General Nursing

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As a male, the term "nursing" has always been an obstacle to me. The concepts of "nurse" and "nursing" come entirely from the feminine - breast feeding, and wet-nursing. The rather modern concept of a "male nurse" thus carries a self-contradiction that is preserved in the language and the culture.

So it seems quite natural to find that the term "male nurse" carries its typical stigmas, that males are dwarfed by females in pursuing work in the nursing field, and that nurse shortages continue to exist around the world. It seems quite a logical concept to consider changing the common institutional name of the nursing profession itself from "nurse" to the more inclusive "medic."

Such a change is likely to have an positive impact on the nursing field, making it less of a woman's role, and opening it up culturally and socially to young men seeking to be of help in the role of medicine, but whom are not endowed by nature with exclusively feminine capabilities.

Regards,

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

OK. So......

Are we starting a movement?

Just raising consciousness?

Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

i kind of agree. I dont think its gonna happen, nor do i care too much about the name, but medic does sound much cooler than nurse. Paramedics may not appreciate this. Maybe something like critical care mursinary.

I hear your concerns and understand your references, however, the essence of professional nursing really is not just the tasks that are carried out by the individual. It does include the "caring" component.

The term "medic" is widely used in the military and the responsibilities (although in many cases not the tasks) are different from those of a military nurse. The rank of a professional nurse in the military is at the level of Officer, the rank of medic is not.

Just food for thought.

Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.

If a young man is that insecure about this he might want to reconsider nursing as a profession...which is what it is. If you want to be a medic...be a medic!

Also. Until very recently most "professions" were the exclusive domain of men. Women did NOT rename these time honored professions when they entered them! Ie; " pardon me sir but I am a DOCTORESS!"

Please, men who want to be nurses...be proud of your profession...and it's name. You are among the few men who are strong and secure enough in themselves to choose this path. Stand tall and let the rest of the idjits go flip burgers!

Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.
i kind of agree. I dont think its gonna happen, nor do i care too much about the name, but medic does sound much cooler than nurse. Paramedics may not appreciate this. Maybe something like critical care mursinary.

ROTFLMAO! :lol2::yeah:

Specializes in ER, ICU.

Sorry, that moniker is already is use by military medics and paramedics. In fact there is already a movement in EMS to refer to all responders as medics. This is to allay the confusion that currently exists in the public's minds between EMTs, paramedics, first responders, EMT Intermediates, fire medics and so on. Lets not confuse the public further...

I wish you luck in getting over this obstacle. I've been a nurse for six years and not only have I never been mistaken for a woman, no one has ever batted an eye when I told them I was a nurse. Maybe it's a geographic or generational thing but sex never seems to be an issue with my coworkers or my patients. As more men enter nursing it will evolve to include us.

Just wanted to add that the term "male nurse" bugs me as well, even though I'm a woman. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse, regardless of gender. No opinion on what nurses should be called though. :)

Specializes in ICU, SICU, Burns, ED, Cath lab, and EMS.

Medics serve an important function in stabilizing patients in the field. As far as changing the name from nurse will cause more confusion for laypeople. I have worked as a nurse and when people ask me" how does it feel to be a male nurse"? I say I'm a nurse and have been the last twenty three years. Its not all about being cool, its being comfortable in your job. If you want glamour find another field.

just my opinion,

Skip

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
maybe something like critical care mursinary.

:lol2:

op: my vote is for the "critical care mercenary". the term medic is already taken and protected by a profession of highly qualified individuals who do a valuable yet different job then nurses.

Specializes in CNA: LTC & DD.

I'm a young man who is eager to become a nurse. I don't want to be a medic, I want to be a nurse. I don't want to be a doctor. I want to be a nurse. I don't want to be a Xtreme Health Care Provider...I want to be a nurse.

I can think of no title I'll be prouder to earn and wear someday.

P.S. Nurse has some etymological roots in a Latin word that means "to nourish" - anybody can help nourish the well-being of another human being, regardless of gender.

Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg.
Just wanted to add that the term "male nurse" bugs me as well, even though I'm a woman. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse, regardless of gender. No opinion on what nurses should be called though. :)

How about calling us heroes? I could live with that! :p

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