Stereotyping Male Nurses

Nursing Students Male Students

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I understand that women are supposed to be the loving and caring type, but why do people think men can't be that way? I know the general view of a man is supposed to be masculine, strong, confident, etc., but why do we get stereotyped as gay or different by the general public? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

The other thing people say when I tell them I'm going to be a nurse is they automatically say "oh thats great so soon you will be a doctor". I have to keep saying I have no interest in being a doctor. Is this typical only for males or do female nurses get this response also?

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Specializes in CEN, CFRN, PHRN, RCIS, EMT-P.

I'm a male nurse, hetero but I work as a flight nurse so my uniform and buzz cut are masculine enough for most people to assume we are all manly men lol! There's only one gay male nurse in our service and you couldn't tell by just looking at him, we are all nurses, period.

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Here's the thing... I work with a bunch of guys and, except for a couple, I really don't know their sexual orientations... same with a lot of the gals...

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I don't know very many gay nurses or student nurses. Most men in the field are straight. The gay guys in my program will make fine nurses though.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Here's the thing... I work with a bunch of guys and except for a couple, I really don't know their sexual orientations... same with a lot of the gals...[/quote']

I figure the only reason it would matter would be if I wanted to date them. And since I'm happily married and not looking for dates, it doesn't matter to me. Some folks share openly, and others don't.

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The other thing people say when I tell them I'm going to be a nurse is they automatically say "oh thats great so soon you will be a doctor". I have to keep saying I have no interest in being a doctor. Is this typical only for males or do female nurses get this response also?

I get something similar. "Why didn't you go to medical school?" as if nursing was me stepping down.

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Gay or straight, it all boils down to one thing: It's a profession that YOU chose to enter regardless of your sexual orientation. Do what you love, love what you do, be the best you can be at it and forget what others say. Don't be afraid to tell people your a male nurse because of the stereotypes that are floating around these days. I'm a straight male who loves being a nurse, what he does and wouldn't trade his job for a million bucks... that's the honest to God truth. People are going to talk about others regardless, it's just a way of the world we live in these days. What you do outside of school/work is your personal business, and others shouldn't be concerned about it. Heck, if you saw me outside of the hospital you'd probably NEVER guess I was a nurse. Keep doing what your doing and chase that paper, son.

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Not sure how it is outside of my little bubble (southern California), but I have yet to come across a stranger, acquaintance, friend, and/or family that have asked/told me why not become a doctor (of any sorts) or if I was gay. If anything, all responses are positive and complimentary such as a stable job, good pay, good in terms of the human aspect, etc. Never have I once been stereotyped, especially being a male...so far haha. The most common response I usually get is that it's a good choice and that there needs to be more male nurses ;)

Tbh, if someone did stereotype me, they are entitled to say what they want and I would respond appropriately. If they think male nurses are for homosexuals or they are not as good as doctors, it's their own fault at their ignorance about our profession and I would just ignore it and let it go. The way I think about what I do is what matters. Good pay, stable job, helping others, what else could I ask for? Haha.

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.
I'm a gay male so I definitely fit the stereotype. My biggest surprise though has been that all of my fellow male students (and there were very few of us) have not shown any kind of prejudice towards me. They're not embracing it, but not all that concerned or seem to even care. It's some of the ladies who have been kind of cold towards me, that is surprising.

I think that a lot of the guys coming up in nursing are going to set a new standard for nonjudgmental, compassionate care. I'm a gay female and I am not out for the reason you mentioned above. The few people I have told (by few, I mean my male partner and my former female mentor) didn't care but I'm not interested in coming out especially after the male genitourinary and sexuality discussion in my health assessment lecture -- the ignorance a lot of the females displayed kind of meant to me that I still need to stay in the closet and, if I tell anyone, it will probably only be other guys in my cohort -- By the way, so many of the guys (who come from a multitude of different backgrounds and interests) in my cohort have wonderful communication skills with the patients and I LOVE listening and learning from them on sincere, compassionate communication and care giving. Seriously, no need to stereotype male nurses. I don't even get that.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Lynyrd Skynyrd

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"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Lynyrd Skynyrd
That doesn't sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd.

It does sound like Eleanor Roosevelt. Maybe Ronnie Van Zant was quoting her.

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That's old gender roles for ya. Women can't be strong/logical, and men can't be caring/non-violent. It's wrong, and every day we must wage war against those ideas. :)

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