Did anyone judge you for being a male nurse?

Nurses Men

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How did you react?

In a hospital setting men are often thought to be the doctor, and I was often asked by older people how much longer until I would "make a doctor," lol. I guess in a way that was harmless judgement.

If you want to mess with people, you can get your DNP and introduce yourself by something along the lines of: "Hello, I'm Doctor [name goes here], I'll be your Nurse [APRN specialty goes here]." As long as you live in one of those states where you can call yourself doctor. Haha, just kidding though; that might really mess with some people.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

As a male nurse we are sometimes discriminated against, but it is almost always in my experience been by female nurses. You can see this on this board from female nurses thinking males shouldn't work on L&D, do female perineal care, female catheters etc, but these same nurses don't have any problem with female nurses giving male care. It is a bias that you come to expect from some nurses.

I had one older female L&D nurse when I was nursing student that didn't want any male nursing students in the L&D room during deliveries, and she would go out of her way to try to talk patients out of letting male nursing students in the room during deliveries. It ended up being rather comical, because all of her co-workers were just the opposite and would go out of their way to have us in on deliveries and liked having students of both genders on the floor.

My first day as an LVN the female nurse that I was assigned to for my orientation stated, "I don't really like male nurses". I just shrugged my shoulders and blew her off and did the best job I could despite her objections, and about two weeks later she came back and said she liked working with me.

I have seen the bias for male nurses slowly erode over the last decade, and most patients and other healthcare workers are very open to having male nurses. There will always be a few people that have their inherent biases, but luckily they are truly few these days.

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Specializes in GI Surgery Step-down.

I live in New York City and during clinical rotation I always got male patient for some reason. Couple of semester I went Jewish hospital and therefor my clinical instructor always gave me make patient.

Last semester labor and delivery was different hospital. My prof tried to us put as much as possible labor room and c section. Only once the first week I got so sad because patient husband refused me to take care of his wife. I was so upset at that moment. But later time I saw v delivery and c section and family was ok with it.

As a being male always during the clinical rotation, female nurse students asked help from me. Even I am not a big guy but always helped them to turn pt or other procedures.

I am starting my residency program next week and will see how will be as a male nurse at a south hospital ;) I hope southern patients Gonna treat me nicely :)

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Specializes in as above.

things have changed in this day and age! Depends on where you nurse and what attitude you have. I worked Med Surg and Psych. It was my size and attitude that got things going. I did stuff that female would not do. Its what the females that made me get injured and thusly on LT disability. He was sent to maximum security psy for criminally insane.

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I'm currently in nursing school and I graduate in December 2015!

At this point, I haven't been scrutinized not made fun of for becoming to decide a nurse - Quite the opposite in fact. I have had people tell me how awesome it is to see more guys go into the field and that some of the best nurses patients have had has been males

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I personally think its changing. I am a male CNA, but I still find some discrimination.

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Specializes in as above.

We no different than a Female Doctor. Except they have the power of the pen. I had fun in nursing mostly. You have your ego's. You have your born again A-holes. Get used to it..difficult patients and staff,help you to develop a thick skin.

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I can honestly say I have NEVER been discriminated against for being a male nurse. Not one single solitary time :) Another thing to be grateful for!

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Yes. It has happened a hand full of times since I started my job in the ER 14 months ago. Many of the judgers are older male patient who are slightly insecure about their own manliness. I am sure there are many silent judgers as well. Anyhow, I have gotten older men who assume I am gay or feminine, but am neither.

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Specializes in Occupational Health/Legal Nurse Consulting.

I think a lot of it is insecurities of the nurse himself. I am guilty of it at times also. 95% of the time I am proud of my occupation with no qualms. BUT, there are times when I am around constructions workers, or firefighters, or big masculine workers like that. I don't feel inadequate or lesser, but I do wonder if they think that I am gay or something. But even then, I really don't give a crap most of that 5% anyway, so whatever. I know how much a firefighter brings home....

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Specializes in CVOR, CVICU/CTICU, CCRN.

Never in the clinical setting. Most of the "weird looks" and off-color remarks come from my extended family members (I'm one of the first guys in the family tree to go into anything medical). A little education on the evolution of the nursing profession helps clear up the stereotyping - at least until the next reunion ...

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I can honestly say I have NEVER been discriminated against for being a male nurse. Not one single solitary time :) Another thing to be grateful for!

If you're a male, why is your screen name Gooselady?

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