I graduate in early December. Preceptorship starts November 1. So far nursing school has been very positive, but I have sensed sometimes that it is easier to talk with another male nurse, in regards to being in a predominantly female profession. The floor nurses have been great for the last two years, but the charge nurses, nurse techs, tele techs, and unit coordinaters have often been hostile or only communicate when I persistently ask for help. For instance, "Where do you keep the NPO signs?" or "Do you have an extra O2 sat machine that I could use on my patient to double check what the dynamap is reading." Often I get a single syllable grunt with no eye contact.
I consistently get high evaluations during clinicals and all the nurses assigned to me have been positive to my instructors with their feedback. It is just the subtle sexism that is bothering me. Maybe it is all in my head. But it would be great to have a couple of male RN mentors who could help me interpret the eye rolling and smerks that the para-professional staff give off. Looking also to network with other male RNs in the Tampa Bay area. Is there a "Men in Nursing" organization, formal or informal? Thanks so much.
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