Men in Nursing?

saltcity · May 16, 2010

though I'm sure Canadian phlegm and Poop are similar in composition and consistencies...

Fiona59 · May 16, 2010

Colostomies are heaven compared to trachs. Flying green sputum still makes me whimper and want to run screaming.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 17, 2010

saltcity, your observations apply equally acroos the 49th Parellel too. Poop is poop. Snot is snot. It's pretty universally gross. And I'm going to thank you for your observation about the sexism... you're so spot on with that one! I work with quite a number of male nurses. They seem to be singled out for a quick trip up the food chain regardless of their competence, simply because they're men. One of our men NEVER has a patient assignment - he's either in charge or he's the resource nurse. He's not incompetent but he's very snarky. Another of our men is as lazy as one can be and still remain upright. He's also not very observant (likely because he doesn't really care what's happening). He came to us as a new grad and has been with us three years. In that time he has flown up the totem pole and is on the ECMO team now. It took me 7 years to get there.

Raven713 · May 18, 2010

I have had the pleasure of working on a unit where there was roughly a 50/50 split of male and female nurses. We all did our share of lifting the heavies. And the heavies are all over the hospital these days. Now there are special lifting devices for "floating" the over 300 lb patient from stretcher to table to bed.
Unfortunately, the combative ones remain combative no matter who is their nurse. Hospital security is there for a reason and we use them.
I've learnt over the years that my male coworkers are there because they are great nurses not movers or security officers. Anyone who expects the males to do the moving is having serious gender role issues.
Now don't get us old bats started on pregnant ones who want the light patients.....because light in this respect are fully functional ready for discharge patients who need no care post op.

With utmost respect, I am not a Nurse, I'm a Nursing Assistant aspiring to pursue my education and become a Nurse. but for now, just a humble servant of the Nursing Team.

As an Assistant, we are used as the grunts. Have a combative patient, biggest Nursing Aide/Assistant is going to be the one to handle that patient. My time in Nursing Homes, majority of it were spent on the most combative patients. (those who'd rather throw a punch at you, than to allow you to remove the urine soaked brief)

In the United States, Securities job isn't to deal with patients, their job is to deal with everyone but the patients. the Nursing Assistants deal with the patients. (It's for legal reasons, for both the agency, and for the personelle involved, because Security Officers are not trained to deal with patients in the "control of force" within a medical stand point)

As a male Nursing Assistant, I've never gotten an "easy" patient. Always the ones who're seriously combative (ones for some reason I don't know why aren't transfered to a facility more adapted for them) or are physically disabled to the point they can't even move up in their own beds by themselves. I've only spent one day at a Facility where they allowed you to use lifts on patients as well. Because at one facility I did my clinicals at, they didn't permit the use of any lift on any patients, because apparently, all of the families of every patient in the facility didn't want their family members to be handled with a lift. So me, the "Big Guy" got to be the mechanical lift for the rest. (even for a patient well above 400lbs. with a gait belt, and by yourself, it's amazing females half my size could move that patient)

The other Nursing Facility I did work at, I used a lift on every patient that needed to be moved. It was the easiest day I ever spent in an Acute Care Facility. Just did my "runs" changed briefs, brushed teeth, combed hair, shaved the patients (who needed to be shaved) served food, and used lift from bed to wheelchair, and vice versa. I couldn't believe how nice it was.

I sure hope the OP is reading this as well. I actually met a male RN. Went back and fourth one day just observing medical procedures, and helping him set them up. It was really cool. Male RNs are awesome! Never met a male LPN though. (but never had issues with LPNs, nor RNs at all)

Just I hope as a male, he is ready to lift, and knows how to properly lift, move, and transfer a patient with manual strength and dexterity. and do it safely. Like patients with bad hips, etc. (want to keep as little weight on that bad hip as possible. have him put the foot of his bad side on your foot. that way he put majority of his weight on his good side, decreasing his pain exponentially, and allowing you full control of his movement, just remember, when you move a patient, YOU are in FULL CONTROL PERIOD! or DO NOT move that patient! You will be thrown off balance, and counteracted at every move if you do not have FULL CONTROL of all movements.)

And regarding code browns, don't worry, if you see a code brown, it ain't nothing.

Purulent Drainage, as well as serus drainage are the worse. Especially when you have to clean them.. The odor, the way it just oozes out. just remember, when you deal with a B/M. You got gloves on (at least I hope you do). Even if the man (or woman) has a bowel movement (that's what B/M stands for) while you're cleaning that person from their first B/M. even if it gets over the top of your gloves, and your gloves are saturated, none of it gets on your hands. just change your gloves (carefully, you'll learn proper way to take off a glove without any form of exposure) put new clean ones one, keep the patient to his side until he finishes voiding, and then restart the cleaning process.

Most hilarious moment, was when I was teaching a calleague "the ropes" yeah, a patient poohed on her 5 times. I was rolling when she was telling me about it. It just so happened I had a prior engagement to assist the RN with a procedure, and knew she was more than capable of changing the patients brief. Oops... XD :yeah:

Don't worry dude, you'll get some laughs. Best patients, are those who are the most cognitive. Especially the military veterans. so many experiences, you'd be amazed how much a lot of those patients would like to share, if you're willing to listen to them. Even if you're cleaning from a bowel movement, dressing, etc. whether male, or female. If you talk to them, like how they are feeling, or engage in conversation about just a random topic even, it makes everything easier. It also builds a bond between you and the patient. Not like a hardcore bond, but it builds trust for the patient. Because in a lot of techniques, especially for physical movements, they want to know they can trust you, or they will hold on to that toilet bar with a death grip, and it'll come down to you breaking your shoulder from slamming it into the wall, or dislocating that patients shoulder. That's where patient-assistant trust comes in. If they know you a bit, or feel at ease with you around, you wont have any issues. The patients will trust you to insane extents. Even when some joe schmoe off the streets would be screaming and crying for your to not drop them, you'll be amazed how at ease a patient, with some trust in you can be.

As a male Nurse, the male patients will identify with you more than the female patients. And regarding female patients, if a female patient rejects you from aiding her, just because you're a male, you need to build a bridge of trust. You're going to see some things you'll wish you've never seen before in your life. But it comes with the job. Perineal Care, is something you need to get used to. For both male, and female genitalia.

Male genitalia especially, you need to get used to grabbing a mans junk, and pulling back the skin to clean under it. with female genitalia, you need to get used to spreading open with two fingers, cleaning the sides, (STAY FRIGGEN PROFESSIONAL!) and ensuring you're going from top to bottom.

If you screw up in perineal care, or fail to do it, you'll make the skin raw. Even for men, if you don't pull that forskin back, to clean around it etc. His skin will get raw. And I'm not even kidding. It's extremely painful for the patient if you don't. especially with "code brown".

Fiona59 · May 18, 2010

From my time as a nurse, I've seen more men in Active Treatment in LTC. NAs are few and far between in hospitals. I recall one male NA on the wards I've worked. Male LPNs are becoming more common.

I think it's down to more "hands on work" and two years of education as opposed to four. If you find out you really hate the job better to only have a two year student loan hanging over your head.

The biggest thing the males I've worked with have had to overcome is the fairly common stereotype that nurses that are male are automatically gay. I've told more than one patient that the nurse they are being so snide about "oh, he had such gentle hands" said with that tone and leer that the nurse they are talking about has just become a father/grandfather and I'll be sure to pass their praise onto their wives.

And the lift issue? I'd check with Occupational Health or the WCB, I was always told that a mechanical lift is to be used for employee and patient safety. But hey, it's your back.

saltcity · May 18, 2010

In the United States, Securities job isn't to deal with patients, their job is to deal with everyone but the patients. the Nursing Assistants deal with the patients. (It's for legal reasons, for both the agency, and for the personelle involved, because Security Officers are not trained to deal with patients in the "control of force" within a medical stand point)

This really depends on where in the states you're talking about. Where I worked (up till a couple weeks ago) we had our own state police force (with guns) on campus. The security force (unarmed) would restrain/wrestle dangerous (high on PCP, suicidal, criminal whatever etc.) if needed. They were both men and women. This was for the safety of patient and staff. A lot of times their "muscle" was needed since nurses are not practitioners of judo or some such martial art.

Reiterating what I said earlier about the sexism bit- I want to warn men in nursing that it isn't an easy job just because your sister/cousin/girlfriend is one and you think they're soft. (They're harder than you think!)

It can be highly stressful, mentally and physically taxing and emotionally draining. Women should get credit for the crap they have taken as nurses all these years.

I've done mostly critical care and men do gravitate toward these more "glamorous" jobs. I've seen dozens of men wash out of ICUs over the last 12 years. A few bad ones disappeared and resurfaced as travel RNs somewhere else- hopefully they got better. Many travel RNs are great, but for some it's a good place to hide if you're all talk and no skills.

I had an orientee years ago who was ex Army special forces who couldn't handle the easy ICU patients we would give him. He ended up leaving a year after his orientation was done. He told me he was "stressed out" and once took a break because he had "low blood sugar" after I told him clearly he could not break until his assessment was done and patient squared away.

Men be warned, nursing is a very rewarding profession but it's never easy (unless you're in upper management but I digress...)

There are very few easy jobs in health care today. We need to give respect to the whole team whether they be MDs, RTs, nursing assistants, RNs, LPNs, med/surg, ICU, fly medevac or polish the chopper's windows. Every job is important and we need good people.

What JanfRN said about the lazy dudes she worked with saddened me. I known a few of those guys over the years. The sexism I've seen is even promoted by the female management I've found which is even crazier huh?

Raven713 · May 19, 2010

This really depends on where in the states you're talking about. Where I worked (up till a couple weeks ago) we had our own state police force (with guns) on campus. The security force (unarmed) would restrain/wrestle dangerous (high on PCP, suicidal, criminal whatever etc.) if needed. They were both men and women. This was for the safety of patient and staff. A lot of times their "muscle" was needed since nurses are not practitioners of judo or some such martial art.
Reiterating what I said earlier about the sexism bit- I want to warn men in nursing that it isn't an easy job just because your sister/cousin/girlfriend is one and you think they're soft. (They're harder than you think!)
It can be highly stressful, mentally and physically taxing and emotionally draining. Women should get credit for the crap they have taken as nurses all these years.
I've done mostly critical care and men do gravitate toward these more "glamorous" jobs. I've seen dozens of men wash out of ICUs over the last 12 years. A few bad ones disappeared and resurfaced as travel RNs somewhere else- hopefully they got better. Many travel RNs are great, but for some it's a good place to hide if you're all talk and no skills.
I had an orientee years ago who was ex Army special forces who couldn't handle the easy ICU patients we would give him. He ended up leaving a year after his orientation was done. He told me he was "stressed out" and once took a break because he had "low blood sugar" after I told him clearly he could not break until his assessment was done and patient squared away.
Men be warned, nursing is a very rewarding profession but it's never easy (unless you're in upper management but I digress...)
There are very few easy jobs in health care today. We need to give respect to the whole team whether they be MDs, RTs, nursing assistants, RNs, LPNs, med/surg, ICU, fly medevac or polish the chopper's windows. Every job is important and we need good people.
What JanfRN said about the lazy dudes she worked with saddened me. I known a few of those guys over the years. The sexism I've seen is even promoted by the female management I've found which is even crazier huh?

Would you mind if I used this outside of the confines of this site? This is awesome info! If you don't want me too, I wont.

Raven713 · May 19, 2010

From my time as a nurse, I've seen more men in Active Treatment in LTC. NAs are few and far between in hospitals. I recall one male NA on the wards I've worked. Male LPNs are becoming more common.
I think it's down to more "hands on work" and two years of education as opposed to four. If you find out you really hate the job better to only have a two year student loan hanging over your head.
The biggest thing the males I've worked with have had to overcome is the fairly common stereotype that nurses that are male are automatically gay. I've told more than one patient that the nurse they are being so snide about "oh, he had such gentle hands" said with that tone and leer that the nurse they are talking about has just become a father/grandfather and I'll be sure to pass their praise onto their wives.
And the lift issue? I'd check with Occupational Health or the WCB, I was always told that a mechanical lift is to be used for employee and patient safety. But hey, it's your back.

I've yet to meet a male Nurse, or NA that is gay. All the ones I've met are straight.

Coolest thing about being a male in Nursing, is that you get to be around a lot of women. :smokin:

Worse thing about being a male as a member of the Nursing Team, is you are around a lot of women. during all days of the month. :lol2:

saltcity · May 19, 2010

Would you mind if I used this outside of the confines of this site? This is awesome info! If you don't want me too, I wont.

I'd prefer if you didn't, but I can't stop you. I understand that putting stuff on the interwebitubes makes it public domain of sorts. I'd like to think the discussions here are between the folks here on this forum concerning the folks on this forum. I don't have much of an internet footprint (no facebook etc) and I'd like to keep it that way.

I wish you luck Raven on your future career.

Raven713 · May 20, 2010

I'd prefer if you didn't, but I can't stop you. I understand that putting stuff on the interwebitubes makes it public domain of sorts. I'd like to think the discussions here are between the folks here on this forum concerning the folks on this forum. I don't have much of an internet footprint (no facebook etc) and I'd like to keep it that way.
I wish you luck Raven on your future career.

It's totally fine Ma'am.

If you don't wish for me to use it, I wont use it. That simple. :smokin:

But you made some awesome points.

wombatbullant · Jan 29, 2011

If it is something you want to do then do it and bugger everyone else. :yeah: However if you are thinking of being one of the male nurses who sits to the side and does nothing but lift all the patients then do everyone a favor and find another profesion. Male nurses are now a intracel part of the team, and are highly important, for their brains and how they use them. If you are sitting there dealing with holding an elderly persons hand while they are dieing, giving them a bit of freindship , and dignity, while dealing with a person who was so drunk, and or high that they fell over or crashed a car, and not loosing your cool, that peace of pooh is the last thing you worry about. :uhoh3: