Is the military a great option for male nurses?

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Nov 14, 2005

I know as a man it will not be an easy road in nursing, (I'm in my 3rd year in a 4 yr BSN program) but will the military be a nicer path? I've been warned of some real characters (and have already met some) out there in the private sector and I would like to be respected for what I do. So, I want to know if any other guys can say how military nursing is different. Tell me how you feel about it, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It is my understanding that the military is a worse road, in that respect.

As a male nurse, it has been my experience that there are positives as well as negatives to being a male nurse, and they offset each other. I don't feel as if I'm at a disadvantage.

It is my understanding that in the military, however, nursing is one of the few areas where women dominate the leadership hiearchy. And they are insistent on keeping it that way. That's not an overtly sexist statement. If I was in an organization with few pathways beyond the glass ceiling for me, I'd definitely invest in protecting the pathways that exist.

The military would be a fine career choice. But not because of the concerns you express, but in spite of them.

~faith,

Timothy.

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2005

You should check out the military forum. The military is probably the only place for male nurses to be on equal footing w/ their female counterparts. Military nurses are about 40-45% male and 60-65% female with even higher ratios in ER/ICU areas. A lot of the supervisors in military nursing are female, but is probably still about 70% female and 30% male. When you consider that on the civilian side it is more of 12% male and 88% female ratio I think that aspect alone should alleviate most of your concerns about males in military nursing. I have done civilian and military nursing there is no comparison on the amount of respect you will receive as a military nurse.

Just a side note: Discrimination is not tolerated in the military, although it does happen, if you can prove that your commander/boss has discriminated against you d/t your sex that commander will lose their command.

I know as a man it will not be an easy road in nursing, (I'm in my 3rd year in a 4 yr BSN program) but will the military be a nicer path? I've been warned of some real characters (and have already met some) out there in the private sector and I would like to be respected for what I do. So, I want to know if any other guys can say how military nursing is different. Tell me how you feel about it, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

kittyn, MSN, NP · Jan 1, 2009

One of the male nurses told me he enjoys being in the military. The military gave him the opportunity to travel all around the world and to enroll in nursing school without any financial worries. Warning: The military will not tolerate for those who are enrolled in school with a failing grade. One “F” (or in some cases a “D”) and you are out!

just_cause, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2009

military is a great option for male or females... period.

I agree with wtbcrna, check out the military nursing forum under specialties.. great lifestyle, great opportunities - and the ability to work with Soldiers. - if that sounds appealing - check it out.

v/r

bluemalibu · Jan 3, 2009

I know as a man it will not be an easy road in nursing, ... I would like to be respected for what I do.

If respect is an important aspect to you... then the military is your game. Your schooling and commission, not just your job, all earn you that respect.

...And we are talking opposite extremes here in regards to respect. Where civilian men in this field might hear a cat-call or snickering while walking from their vehicle, passed other guys, into the hospital... in the uniformed services, those guys instead come to the position of attention, and snap a hand salute while rendering you a greeting: "Good evening sir!"

The career-guide book What Color is Your Parachute calls the military "The greatest kept secret in the world".

I spent 16 years in the military and never saw a nurse shown disrespect even once. Not by doctors nor patients.

Look over the boards here and read of all the accounts of nurses being treated like a waiter or bus-boy. If one of the troops should treat a nurse in that manner, they are facing some very real jail time... do not pass go, do not collect 300 dollars.

You don't have to labor for years in the hospital to prove that you deserve to be taken seriously... your rank as an officer warrants that the directions that you give are carried out immediately, without question or discussion.

I absolutely loved serving in the armed forces. It took three ruptured disks and back surgery to end my service... and I left kicking and screaming.