Affirmative action for male applicants?

58flyer · Aug 6, 2006

This is a wonderful idea. However you must also initiate a program to attract quality applicants at the same time. It would be interesting to know if any medical schools actually established a ratio of male/female students or just let women know that they would be welcome if they applied.

Another idea...what if there was a federal mandate that medical facilities were required to have a staff that represented society as well? That would definitely produce an incentive to attract men to the nursing profession.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2006

I believe this is already quietly done. It's just not talked about. The community colleges usually do not participate in AA. It's the BSN-level colleges that frequently use AA in choosing applicants - including the application of AA for male applicants.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2006

The medical schools did not do so much, as WOMEN'S groups initiated many of the changes. They sponsored scholarships for women, and promoted knowledge of biased medical school focus as harmful to women's health (use of Media in teaching female anatomy/sexual issues), maltreatment of female med students and refusal to admit them to the programs that they were qualified for.

The many of the same things are present w/ African Americans. Many Black groupd sponsored scholarships for candidates, and could point out bias in medicine that was harmful to them (the syphilis experiments, the routine unconsented sterilization of minorities up into the early 1970s).

Perhaps men should be forming politically active groups to sponsor male nursing scholarship funds. Or publicize how bias has been systematically barring men from nursing school. Or publicize how underrepresentation in nursing has been harmful to men's health.

dfarr · Aug 7, 2006

The medical schools did not do so much, as WOMEN'S groups initiated many of the changes. They sponsored scholarships for women, and promoted knowledge of biased medical school focus as harmful to women's health (use of Media in teaching female anatomy/sexual issues), maltreatment of female med students and refusal to admit them to the programs that they were qualified for.
The many of the same things are present w/ African Americans. Many Black groupd sponsored scholarships for candidates, and could point out bias in medicine that was harmful to them (the syphilis experiments, the routine unconsented sterilization of minorities up into the early 1970s).
Perhaps men should be forming politically active groups to sponsor male nursing scholarship funds. Or publicize how bias has been systematically barring men from nursing school. Or publicize how underrepresentation in nursing has been harmful to men's health.

That has absolutely nothing to do with women getting into medical school. More women were allowed into medical school simply because of affirmative action, the same with minorities. Trust me, I know this. My scores were much better than some people I know who got into medical school.

Personally, I don't think they should let guys in because they are guys. Lowering the bar does nothing but make the school look bad, and the unqualified admittants end up either flunking out or making crappy nurses. I'm a guy and I got into a top 30 nursing school not because I'm a guy, but because I have a great GPA. I didn't need any help.

UMichSCN07 · Aug 7, 2006

Just my $0.02 to chime in here: Oakland University here in Michigan expressly states on their website that they actively recruit minority ethinc groups and men. Or at least it did the last time I checked... only official university website I've seen saying it out loud for the whole world to see.

Mike in Michigan

agent · Aug 26, 2006

I believe this is already quietly done. It's just not talked about. The community colleges usually do not participate in AA. It's the BSN-level colleges that frequently use AA in choosing applicants - including the application of AA for male applicants.

I'm pretty sure they are cutting the guys more slack at my school.. no direct evidence but lots of circumstantial evidence to back that up.

sunnyjohn · Aug 26, 2006

Men in nursing school often report that they find educational interactions with professors relaxed or that find at the (mostly) female nursing professors are more harsh on them than female classmates.

Some report no difference.

As for African Americans, Latinos and women ONLY getting into medical school in the 90's or 00's SIMPLY because of affirmative action.... somebody hold my mule!!!!!

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2006

Well, it's true that at the ASN level, you mostly see the people who are qualified. There's 3 guys out of 70 spots, and I know of 7/8 other guys who didn't quite make it(due to points). I say, just cause you're a guy does not mean you should automatically be a good BSN canidate. If you have the marks, and you're near the bottom due to whatever, and it's between you and 4 other qualified non-minority applicants, you're all equal GPA and coursework wise....Why shouldn't the guy get in?

Just saying, I hope to never be at that point in my professional career...::Fingers crossed::

SamHill · Aug 29, 2006

I don't believe in affirmative action as well. I don't believe any race, creed, sex or whatever should get preferential treatment, even if I am benefitting from it. That said, from the two nursing school directors I know, males do receive special treatment in admissions. They have both told me that if all the qualifications are the same, they would admit the male student based on the shortage of males in nursing. Not right but it happens.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 30, 2006

They have both told me that if all the qualifications are the same, they would admit the male student based on the shortage of males in nursing. Not right but it happens.

Exactly why I support Affirmative Action. On its face it seems like it is UNFAIR, but lets face facts, there is no fair system! Without Affirmatives Action, qualified and unqualified rich white kids would get into schools over poor minority kids. Oh, wait!! That still happens!!!

Oddly, everyone is against AA but they don't fight to get rid of nepotism and other privileges. For those of you against AA are you against "White Privilege"? That still exists in our country. And no laws will ever get rid of it.

If that went away then I would no longer support AA because there would be no need. Until then, I refuse to go against it because I KNOW there is no way those of you against AA will ever fight to get rid of other privileges. You're not doing it now and you never will. Especially since so many benefit. :nono:

Corvette Guy · Aug 30, 2006

I don't believe in affirmative action as well. I don't believe any race, creed, sex or whatever should get preferential treatment, even if I am benefitting from it. That said, from the two nursing school directors I know, males do receive special treatment in admissions. They have both told me that if all the qualifications are the same, they would admit the male student based on the shortage of males in nursing. ...

Hmmmm... I'm usually against AA. However, for the sake of more male nursing students I'm encouraged by your post to think differently regards to AA policies. Plus, send my kudos to the two nursing school directors with outstanding attitudes towards males in nursing!