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.

I guess men are stereotyped as being less caring, as compared to females, because men in general have the personality of being less social than females. Hence people see us men as less caring, which is complete balogna.

I don't know where the gay stereotype came to be for male nurses. I ask because I did my clinical rotation at a military hospital last semester, and there were a lot of male army RN's. They did not look gay to me, and a lot of them had wives and some had children.

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It's such a hard thing to really pinpoint because it's all a wash of so many different influences.

Our biology dictates a lot of how we feel and act around each other and in society as a whole. Nobody can deny that hormones and neurotransmitters have a huge influence on how we behave or that men and women have different kinds and differing amounts of those very same chemicals.

However, it's hard to deny that the nurture side of things really takes hold at a young age. Our families and friends show us what we're supposed to be like. Boys get put into a box with what they (as "normal" boys) should be like, and girls ("normal" girls) the same on their end. Then you grow up the best way you can with this idea of how we're supposed to be specifically different. Unfortunately, anything outside of that norm gets some people stirred up.

Bring the psychology and environment together with biology and it gets a little crazy.

I don't really know if I had a point to this that strictly applies. I can just say that as a 33-year-old straight male that's going into nursing, I love the idea of caring for people and being nurturing, and I'm fine with telling that to anyone. I'll act in a manner that makes me feel right with myself, not how other people think I should act.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Ha Ha!!!! There is one male nurse where I work, he's our go-to guy for opening or closing the heat vents in the ceilings because he's the only one tall enough to reach them without standing on a chair!!

Being a male nursing student is like being a male at home. You will be twisting off jar lids.
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I have checked this topic out a few times, debated whether or not I was going to comment. Finally decided I am going to give my two cents. I am a 33 year old male father of two lil boys set to begin a master's entry nursing program this fall. I have worked the past 9 years at a juvenile corrections facility as a critical response team member. Two years ago I won a golden gloves boxing championship in my division. I was a collegiate football player as well. Now let's fast forward to the present. I have no stereotypical manly traits to speak of. I don't work on cars, don't drink beer, don't walk around in cutoff sleeve tshirts so everyone has proof that I lift weights. I have no stickers on the back of a monster truck vehicle to demonstrate to the world that I am THE alpha male. I have no desire to give off the vibe to other males I encounter that I am "badder" than they are. However, I am very in tune with my caring and compassionate side, and to the feelings of others. Life circumstances created the person I am today. Could I be the alpha male? Could I purposefully and successfully intimidate others? Of course I could. But there are far too many men acting as if alpha males, I prefer to even things up by being the kind and caring person that people feel comfortable sharing their feelings with. By the way, here is why I decided to post on this topic. Yesterday, the wife and I took our two lil ones to an indoor water park for the night. There were many men walking around with the give me a reason look, and way too uptight to enjoy their time with their children. After all, women were around. But then I noticed a European fellow with a smashed in nose and a face full of scar tissue around his eyes. He was hanging out at the kiddy pool with his lil girl. This man was acting silly and happily playing with his little girl. Not a care in the world and never a second thought about who was watching or judging. This made me very happy and sad for all the men "carrying luggage under neath their arms" too tough to enjoy their children. The silly european man turned out to be a professional boxer from Poland trying to enjoy a break from training with his family. The point to all this is all you have to be is who you truly are.

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Specializes in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing.

I don't worry about the gay male nurse thing at all. There are quite a few gay male nurses, but I don't feel like I need to comment on that situation. What does that mean to me? Most of the gay male nurses don't make their sexuality a thing in the workplace. The few who do, I avoid. The gay nurses I work with are skilled and competent. I guess I'm not really sure where this discussion is going.

I enjoy working with straight male nurses above all other demographic groups. Less drama, lower conflict, and less trouble. We all show up to work and don't have too much hormonal stuff going on. I know none of this is politically correct, but I don't care. It's easier to work with people who are easy to work with.

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And here we see two typical male nursing students on their clinical rotations...

Kidding! Because nursing is not inherently a feminine occupation as it once was, not many people would bat an eye at a man entering nursing school. They might ask "what made you want to be a nurse?" a lot more than they would ask a female, but no one would insinuate that you were gay.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
And here we see two typical male nursing students on their clinical rotations...

Kidding! Because nursing is not inherently a feminine occupation as it once was, not many people would bat an eye at a man entering nursing school. They might ask "what made you want to be a nurse?" a lot more than they would ask a female, but no one would insinuate that you were gay.

Like insulting stereotypes much? Maybe post a picture of a sexy female nurse busting out of her too tight, too short uniform while perched on her 6 inch heels?

Even if it's a stereotype from before you were born, that doesn't make it ok. :no:

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Like insulting stereotypes much? Maybe post a picture of a sexy female nurse busting out of her too tight, too short uniform while perched on her 6 inch heels?

Even if it's a stereotype from before you were born, that doesn't make it ok. :no:

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean. If you mean that image was offensive, I apologize. I intended for it to be humorous. It was only a reference to a popular show in Japan, where nursing is likely still a feminine profession. I'm not mocking male nurses. Heck, I'm going to become a male nurse in about 2 months. Plus, I doubt the majority of people stereotype nurses in either of those ridiculous lights.

I mean, honestly. I'm sure most people wouldn't identify male nurses as cross-dressing homosexuals or female nurses as strippers.

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Honestly, there is no big philosophical question here. Gay people are ordinary people. There really isn't anything to talk about.

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Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean. If you mean that image was offensive, I apologize. I intended for it to be humorous. It was only a reference to a popular show in Japan, where nursing is likely still a feminine profession. I'm not mocking male nurses. Heck, I'm going to become a male nurse in about 2 months. Plus, I doubt the majority of people stereotype nurses in either of those ridiculous lights.

I mean, honestly. I'm sure most people wouldn't identify male nurses as cross-dressing homosexuals or female nurses as strippers.

Don't worry, I'm gay and I didn't find it offensive. i actually found the other post where someone says they avoid a male nurse who is gay to be more offensive.

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I'm not gay but why do we call gay people gay people. People are people. People are complex. Show me an ordinary people and I'll show you a robot.

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I love male nurses ! I love a man with a smart brain and skills :) no matter if they're gay or str8 or bi lol they're cute to me this a female here btw lol

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