What are the pros and cons of being all male nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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I recently read that 9% of nurses in the U.S. are male nurses. I was wondering if there any pluses to being a male nurse?

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

I agree, just have a prob with pointing out the obvious. con- finding scrubs. pro- being called dr. all the time, sorta. lol con- being the lifter for everything from pt's to tv's. pro- being the only "all male nurse" in my facility. hahaha.

You can pee standing up, and PMS is never an issue.

This is what I was going to say.

If you are single it is a great career field!!:cheers:

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

Haha, I was single for about 5 years until I became a nurse. Bout 2 months into my first job that all changed pretty quick! It must be the scrubs!?

I think the original poster ment a male nurse who is "ALL MAN" lol.

Specializes in Med/Surg, LTAC, Critical Care.
You can pee standing up, and PMS is never an issue.

I'm the only male nurse (day or night shift) on my unit..... trust me....it IS an issue.....

I've found most of the docs will sit and BS with a male nurse longer (of course most women don't like talk about that new gun they just bought or about the mud grips on their tires). If I ask for something from a doc, I usually get it.

Of course, there is a clear disadvantage.... as the only male on a unit with one (1, uno, single) restroom, I get cussed alot for leaving the seat up. Well excuse me, but if you would look before you leap you wouldn't fall in!

I didnt realize i phrased it that way. No, i just wanted a male nurse perpscetive for those of you who understood that thank you.

Specializes in CRNA.

Outlaw, when I am challenged by my female colleagues regarding my voiding tendancies the usual retort is, "at least I didn't pee all over the seat". That will often put an end to the argument. If pushed further, I pour water all over the rim and tell them I must have missed, but will take better aim on the next go around.

Thanet, I am married...7 years and counting with a 15 month old that calls me da da. Life could not be better. The PMS thing is the wife's problem, not mine. During that week I spend more time working, fishing and surfing. You gotta have an out when the demons are on the loose!:devil::devil::devil:

ya think op meant "a male nurse"?

Or, maybe "transgendered" nurse?

Just for the record, various times in history and probably someplaces even today, nursing was done by all male religous persons (brothers and monks), and or military staff. So in theory there could have been or could be "all male" nursing staff.

First let me say that the term "male nurse" has gone out with "orderlies" and "female doctor". You are a nurse, period.

As for the "pros" and "cons", much has changed for men in the nursing field since my days (the 1980's), and probably will continue as more men enter the profession.

It was not that long ago that hospitals wouldn't not employ "male nurses" in certain patient care areas. L&D,OB/GYN, Peds, were all seen as strictly female territory both due to the sensitive nature of patient care, and that men in general were not seen as "caring" or "delicate" enough to handle say newborn nursery duty. Many head nurses of that era would flatly refuse to accept male nurses on their floor, and often the DON would back them up. Student "male nurses" often only got to see enough on their rotation through these floors to "know what they had to know", and that was that.

Men in nursing were often then (and perhaps still today), placed or requested to go in areas where physical strength and or quick decision skills were required. Psyc, ER, and Med/Surg (better to help move and shift heavy patients).

Today men in nursing are largely free of such restrictions, and can work anyplace they choose. Many men come to the nursing profession with backgrounds in military, law enforcement, fire fighting and EMT work, and bring a wealth of experience with them.

Main problem for any male in the healthcare field comes from claims of "inappropriate" touching or behaviour, to outright sexual assault of patients. Sadly sometimes these cases are true, but not often as many in the general public believe. However the result is often to throw the baby out with the bath water. Men in nursing, as with doctors often prefer to have someone else present when attending say female or minor patients, or just avoid such situations all together by taking positions where they will not be exposed.

There are the old jokes that "male nurses" couldn't hack or be admitted to medical school, so they became nurses instead. Or, that they are gay and so forth.

Nursing can be at times rather like a sorority or anyplace else predominately female. Cliques form, petty back stabbing, gossiping, and so forth. Men simply for the most part do not understand, nor probably with to be involved in the manner females communicate and or get along. Most men having a problem with someone would come right out in the open and confront the situation. Women on the other hand would just as likely make a snide remark about how "old" you look today! *LOL*

Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

My favorite nurses are the male ones. Totally different perspective from me, but so very clear.

My husband says that it's because I can "think" like a male, and get annoyed at the "female" brain's way of thinking....

At the same time....I love shopping and getting my hair and nails done.....go figure......

I think the original poster ment a male nurse who is "ALL MAN" lol.

Maybe "Red-blooded, all american male"

Sounds good to me:w00t:

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