What are the pros and cons of being all male nurse - page 3

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*

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......

Maybe "Red-blooded, all american male"

Sounds good to me

I never heard the term "All Male Nurse" Please clarify

I am not sure why I read these types of threads on occassion, considering they mostly huff, puff and circumstance but hey whatever.

In nursing school and as an RN I have worked with male colleagues. I do not often see them as any different from myself. I enjoyed working with really only one male in particular because his habits were very sweet and he really took care of his patients well, and I appreciated that.

However, one difference I have seen is in the aging population of female patients. I have seen them refuse male nurses often, or refuse to be toilet or cleaned up by them, so often we have to come in and help. I can understand this as, even though I am only 30, I generally refuse to have male MDs and have always been this way.

Tait

Good = admitedly better communication with docs
Bad = being looked at like a fleshy forklift even by my supposed freinds

I was just getting used to "stud muffin." Now it's "fleshy forklift". I need to rest.

Tried that.... I received the next 2 admissions (including a heparin drip) and was threatened with Lasix in my coffee.

Strangely enough, I did go quite frequently that night....

One advantage to working nights - when I get the urge I go to the mens room in the waiting area about 30 feet from the nurses station. Second advantage - using that rest room allows me to avoid the fruit and flower scented air fresheners the ladies insist on putting out in the unisex staff restroom.