Have Male Nursing Students felt bias during class/clinicals?

[Murse Wannabe]

Have any of you male nursing students felt left out of the conversation during classes? Are textbooks and classes still taught in a way that's gender-biased towards women? It's not so much a concern as a curiosity. I keep hearing that Nursing is a female-dominated field, so are classes taught in a way that facilitates that? Have any guys been turned off from a specific department because of the way things are taught?

Curious...

[sjalv]

I'm in my second semester of nursing school. I have never felt this way in class or clinicals. In clinicals last semester (LTC), I had a female patient and a male patient. Neither made a mention of my gender. This semester, I do med/surg, pediatrics, and OB. So we'll see what happens. If a woman in labor doesn't want a male student nurse watching her, that's her right and I will respect that. I honestly think a lot of gender bias that guys report is all in their heads. Unless someone says "You're man therefore X" they can't really claim gender bias.

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Simple answer: No.

[zzbxdo]

Nope. Though I felt like I had no place to educate mom's with previous children in my OB rotation (I was probably like 22), mothers were still pretty receptive to male students. Fast forward several years later, I still don't know anything. Ahha

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Simple answer: No.

Quoted for truth. Even during my maternity section, neither my theory professor, nor my clinical instructor, nor my classmates have ever left me and my fellow male cohorts out of any discussion. We all discuss the issue as a group and answer appropriately. I did however, have one female patient request that I leave during my maternity clinical which of course I respected and did not mind (she was really young so I can understand why).

I mentioned this in another topic regarding male-female ratio and stereotypes somewhere, but for me it has been the complete opposite. Been told and complimented numerous times that more male nurses are needed BECAUSE nursing is a female-dominated profession. Stick to it! I did feel awkward at times during pediatrics and maternity when the older ladies in my class kept talking about their kids and whatnot and their experiences with it (heck I was old enough to be their kids' friends hahahahaha), but we all good :)

[Wildcats.Cabral]

I would have to say that OB rotation was the worst. First of all, I am a non-traditional student. I would say that most of the bias came from my clinical instructor. Nurses and mothers were mostly fine and accepting. Clinical instructor had to go with me into any rooms that I entered. If she was not available, I was not allowed to proceed. Probably why I liked working in Nursery so much, I could do that by myself. For example, the way she phrased questions to moms-to-be; "You don't want a male nursing student in here with you, do you?" I am a CNA at a very large hospital and do not endure the same bias on my job. This is my last semester for BSN, will be glad to be done!

[spinetilt]

NEVER. Always treated with respect. Just don't act like a shy little boy. Act like a gentleman and you'll get treated like one.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Have any guys been turned off from a specific department because of the way things are taught?

Curious...

Nope, I'm just one of the girls!

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

I would have to say that OB rotation was the worst. First of all, I am a non-traditional student. I would say that most of the bias came from my clinical instructor. Nurses and mothers were mostly fine and accepting. Clinical instructor had to go with me into any rooms that I entered. If she was not available, I was not allowed to proceed. Probably why I liked working in Nursery so much, I could do that by myself. For example, the way she phrased questions to moms-to-be; "You don't want a male nursing student in here with you, do you?" I am a CNA at a very large hospital and do not endure the same bias on my job. This is my last semester for BSN, will be glad to be done!

The patients are free to choose what they want, but I encountered NONE of this type of behavior from instructors. If anything, it was just the opposite. I had solid healthcare experience; my OB instructor pointed toward the room and said, "Get your butt in there."

[november17, ASN, RN]

I keep hearing that Nursing is a female-dominated field

Oh, really? Who are you hearing that from?

[november17, ASN, RN]

I keep hearing that Nursing is a female-dominated field

Oh, really? Who are you hearing that from?

[Murse Wannabe]

I actually hear it from a lot of nurses.

I know that class statistics aren't the best way to look at the field, but I've noticed people talking about the male-female ratios. And there's usually significantly less males.