Guys: Just Curious - Need Your Opinions

Jump_Nurse · Oct 12, 2008

Hello, I'm a female and not in nursing school yet, but just completed my pre-reqs. I'm a little curious about something, and I would like your opinion. In one of my pre-req classes, I overheard a guy tell another guy sitting next to him that he "is going to be tempted after becoming a nurse because of all the chicks." (He's married with a child.) Please don't think I see men getting into the nursing profession for the wrong reasons. I wouldn't mind working with men in nursing, but after hearing this comment, it made me wonder if there are others out there pursuing nursing just so they could have more opportunity for....hmmm...dates. (Sorry, I know that sounds bad, and don't mean to offend anyone!) The thought actually never came to mind until I overheard that, and I'm sure you're nurses because you want to care for people. Again, I'm trying not being judgemental because he's not here to defend himself, but that comment (along with others this person made througout the semester regarding women) really had me wondering if he was wanting to become a nurse for the right reasons. And please don't get me wrong, guys; I think it's great that more men are getting into nursing and I don't see any reason why they shouldn't! :) What do you guys think of my classmate's comment?

You're an idiot..

Who are you to say whether anyone MALE OR FEMALE is becoming a nurse for the right or wrong reason? What authority are you?

One thing I have noticed: Yes, I am surrounded by a lot of women all the time at school. Is that WHY I got into nursing? No. Is it a byproduct of me being an under-represented gender? Yes. Could it be a temptation? Maybe. But does the third question answer the first?

In other words.. Just because it is or will be a temptation doesn't mean that's the reason for pursuing this career... It could (and in my case is) just a byproduct.

I'm also not married, and just stating how it is to be a guy surrounded by women constantly.

aaronrnmedic · Oct 12, 2008

You're an idiot..
Who are you to say whether anyone MALE OR FEMALE is becoming a nurse for the right or wrong reason? What authority are you?
One thing I have noticed: Yes, I am surrounded by a lot of women all the time at school. Is that WHY I got into nursing? No. Is it a byproduct of me being an under-represented gender? Yes. Could it be a temptation? Maybe. But does the third question answer the first?
In other words.. Just because it is or will be a temptation doesn't mean that's the reason for pursuing this career... It could (and in my case is) just a byproduct.
I'm also not married, and just stating how it is to be a guy surrounded by women constantly.

That wasn't very friendly:argue:

I don't think she posted this to try to begin an argument.

groovy jeff, RN · Oct 12, 2008

You're an idiot..

Thats pretty harsh. :no:

I felt like the OP was fairly sensitive in how she presented the issue. Your right in that, from the statement one can't say if someone is getting into nursing for the right reasons or not; but that was a little over the top.

Dottie78 · Oct 13, 2008

You're an idiot..
Who are you to say whether anyone MALE OR FEMALE is becoming a nurse for the right or wrong reason? What authority are you?
One thing I have noticed: Yes, I am surrounded by a lot of women all the time at school. Is that WHY I got into nursing? No. Is it a byproduct of me being an under-represented gender? Yes. Could it be a temptation? Maybe. But does the third question answer the first?
In other words.. Just because it is or will be a temptation doesn't mean that's the reason for pursuing this career... It could (and in my case is) just a byproduct.
I'm also not married, and just stating how it is to be a guy surrounded by women constantly.

Excuse me, but that was awfully rude of you, and I did not appreciate that at all! I am NOT an idiot and you were not there in class with me to hear all these comments this student made, as that was not the only thing he said in class. What authority are YOU, to be name-calling on here??? That was totally uncalled for! :madface:

As a couple of the other posters said, I did not start this thread to begin an argument or to tick anyone off. Maybe you are one of these guys who is like the one in my class, and that is why you got offended, as you are the only one to reply that seems bothered by my post.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2008

Dottie78,

I've seen some mixed responses.

Why would myself, or you, or anyone here care to judge your peer's comments in class? Seriously? What good would it do? If you have an opinion on him or her - then what?

I come in this forum to get away from the meaningless things that take place in hope of finding a professional - stimulating conversation to hopefully keep me motivated as a pre-nurse~

Your peer is obviously either joking, ignorant or aspiring to be a nurse for the wrong reasons - does this change much... no.

I'm ready to work, to help people, and to grow professionally and don't find gab to be interesting...productive or positive in 99% of the cases.

KarmaWiseRaven · Oct 14, 2008

Well can i add to this and i hope this doesn't come out wrong. i have been down that road and if he thinks to get in to nursing is to date girls. Well it cause's alot more drama then its worth. Trust from someone who knows first hand. When your girlfriend is your supervisor.And starts pitting you agenst other nurses. And your DON has you in their office. Telling you to get a hold of your girlfriend and get her in here Your career starts going down the drain real quick. Oh did i fail to mention I'm a CNA and a Med Tech. Hopeing to get in to a nursing school next year.So i hope that guy was kidding. Or he will be sorry..

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2008

Alibi to this - and newsflash to some.

Everyone gets in a field for different reasons - and they are not purely altruistic...

I could care less if you were a nurse because you think your butt looks good in scrubs as long as your are competent! That being said, I don't want to be around you even if you have a big heart and want to help people but are incompetent....

so for some..nursing is a passion.. a journey.. for others it's a job and they view it like every other job.. to each his own. So if your friend does it to date girls.. great - i'll be happy to be his patient if he is a competent at his job.

suanna · Oct 14, 2008

Thus the reason schools of nursing try to weed out the less committed along the way. In the same light, it wasn't that uncommon (and is still present) for young women to go into nursing to "snag a doctor". All those young available residents to choose from! Although happily married for 25 years I can honestly say that as a man in nursing I have been tempted on a couple of occasions. As men we work with mostly female practitioners in difficult situations requiring we lean heavily on our peers for emotional support and encouragement. Our spouses often have little understanding of the stress of our jobs and naturaly strong frienships develop among coworkers. This however was never in my list of reasons to go into nursing.

kafene · Oct 15, 2008

Like the other poster said, I think (hope) he said it just to play around. Most men (or women) don't get into a profession to "find chicks", unless you're a Chip 'N Dales dancer and even then it's not all of them. I think he just had a brain fart and got overheard. I don't see women going into a business management role to "find guys" where many are male dominant.

What makes the guy an idiot/jerk is that he's married. Stupid. :no:

kafene.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2008

If I was a patient... I would not really care about why someone is a nurse - just that they are competent at their job.

If my coworker was competent to work with I really don't mind that he or she is doing it to get money, fame, chicks, or whatever.