Has Being a Male Benefited you MORE or LESS

Dogen · Dec 2, 2015

I never had an experience that made me think there was a quota. I think being male led them to look a little more favorably on my application, but once I was in there was no overt difference that I noticed. I didn't get all the clinical placements I requested, and my grades typically reflected my level of effort.

The people most likely to comment on me were the staff and patients at my clinical sites. Usually positive, "it's nice to see men in nursing," stuff. My faculty never said anything about it. Though the school's diversity center asked me to tell them if I felt the language used in classes or emails wasn't inclusive enough, I never experienced it.

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 2, 2015

In admission to nursing school? No, not at all.

Socal_EMT · Dec 2, 2015

I appreciate both of your responses.

BBboy · Dec 3, 2015

I would say being a male has benefitted me in every asset except the admissions process for nursing school. Mine was points based and I made it based off of that. However, I would say that landing a job because I'm a male who not only has great experience but also a great fitness level has definitely helped a lot. People will always call me for the heavy lifting or ask me for assistance (always happy to help), also during interviews because I want to go into a field of nursing that is scarce with males I am able to almost immediately stand out from some other applicants once this is uttered

ArceusAlpha · Dec 3, 2015

I'm a third year student. During seminars, I would find that instructors/professors would remember all the male student's names because there were so few of us. During labs, the lab tutors always remembered me over the years. Same could be said in clinical, many staff would often come up to me seeking my help for lifting lol but in the end, you actually become family in their unit. Even the female students will remember you. Even family members will find time to praise and comment on seeing males in nursing (from my experience)

Otherwise, I'm just saying that you kinda stick out among the crowd and you can leave a lasting impression to fellow students and instructors if you choose to do so. Admissions on the other hand, I highly doubt your gender will give you a higher preference, as my admissions was based solely on GPA.

Also, I spoke with male graduates and as unfair as it sounds, they did get some kind of "preference" in applications simply being a male RN.

Socal_EMT · Dec 4, 2015

thank you for your responses as well it is much appreciated. I don't expect to have a red carpet rolled out for me but its said in the EMS field or even law enforcement. Females do have an advantage when it comes to landing a job in these fields. I feel that some women get very upset about his issue due to equality issues and that's why I posted it here. I understand why some employers would want a male as a nurse though, especially one who can lift. Males are a clear minority and i feel most hospitals and providers want to be as balanced as possible. At least this is what I have seen in the EMS field.

Socal_EMT · Dec 4, 2015

So guys, im going to be applying to 3 schools this year for my BSN. Im almost certain i will get interviews in at least 2 of the 3 schools im applying to. In the interview would it be wise to maybe say something about the female stereotype of nursing? I am an extremely competitive candidate with a 3.75 GPA, my goal is to make them remember me during the admissions interview. Since my grades are so good I feel like if I make a strong claim for admissions it could work in my advantage.

Socal_EMT · Dec 4, 2015

But then again I don't want to offend anyone. In my opinion usually when people interview they give very fake and generic answers, and to an interviewer you ave hundreds of applicants who say the same thing over and over.

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 4, 2015

I used to sit on an Admissions Committee for which admissions was based on points. Males and other minorities were given 1 point just for their minority status. That gave them a slight advantage, but not a big one. I am sure none of the students were aware of that advantage because the actual workings of the Admissions Committee was kept confidential.

Also, when an accepted student declined our offer, minority applicants were treated differently than non-minorities. If the person who declined was NOT a minority student, that person would be replaced by the next student in line (the one with the highest person total) -- and that person could be either a minority or non-minority applicant. However, if a minority declined acceptance, then the spot could only be filled by another minority student. Non-minority students with higher point totals were passed over so that the next minority student on the list got the vacated spot.

That was several years ago and I am not privy as to how that committee works today. And I am not saying that to stir up trouble. I am just saying that people not involved in the admissions process cannot say exactly how that committee works. That school was able to say that they had a point system and I am sure most people were not aware of the 2 advantages that minority students (including men) were given in the process.

As for bringing up the female stereotype in an interview ... I don't recommend it. If they ask, be honest. But I wouldn't make a big deal about it. If you have a legitimate question about it, don't be afraid to ask it ... but I would bend over backwards to try to work it into the conversation. You don't want to offend your interviewer by implying that you believe any of the negative stereotypes.

In the interests of full disclosure: I am female. But I am a female who has actually been "behind the closed doors" of an admissions committee ... and made hiring decisions for hospitals ... and served on a grade appeals committee for a nursing school ... etc. People who have never done those things for real can only speculate as to how these things happen.

BBboy · Dec 4, 2015

lol never bring up the female stereotype into any kind of interview anywhere. Sure, we may have something going in this field because there are typically more women but the risk of offending the interviewers surely outweighs the rewards if any. Clear goals, a genuine passion, and that little something different from other applicants will always make someone stand out

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2015

I have been a nurse for 10 years. I have never noticed any difference at any time ever. You state "do you really believe".....ok that is where you need to change how you view things as you try to become an RN. Meet the requirements to apply to school then apply. No one is getting "priority" over anyone else. And..is that really what you want? EARN what you want. Don't worry about freebies and handouts. You apply and you either get in or you do not.