Discrimination of Men as nurses? - page 3

I've been a nurse for 9 months and have never had an issue. I never had any problems during nursing school either. I worked for about 2 1/2 years, before nursing school, as a CNA, and no problems there either. As a CNA there was the occasional elderly female that did not want me helping them change clothes or shower, but that was rare. I not experienced this as a nurse. I have never had any problems from peers, supervisors, or employers. I don't feel that I am treated any differently. The only thing that I might say is, the nights that are stacked heavy with make nurses are quieter (around the nurses station) that those nights that are heavy with female nurses. But, I don't mind either way, and neither do the ladies I work with. We all get along well and truly work together as a team.

I work in the ER, and I must say the staff consists of both male and female nurses. I have never seen any of my male co-workers discriminated against or had any of them say anything about it. I do notice that the male nurses get along with the male doctors much easier than the females. I have noticed that the male nurses I work with, tend to be more protective of us females if we get a drunken male as a patient ( one never knows what a drunk will do ) I love the fact that my male co-workers instinctually want to protect us females, I have actually seen other female nurses become upset when a male co-worker tries to look out for her. I don't understand why on that one. It's always better to be safe than sorry, I say! See guys your not only needed for lifting, your also good at holding drunken flailing arms still to start a line, and tackling that psych patient trying to make a quick get a way!!! Lol.

Michele RN

You are living in a bubble.

We had several men in my graduating class...they ranged from super manly to flamboyantly gay but I think that's more representative of the times than the profession. They were all great though!

I welcome more men in nursing and I am seeing it more and more. I think the "gay male" stereotype is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Bring on the men! You can do my heavy lifting so I don't blow another disc!

I had one instructor who seemed to pick on the paperwork of the few guys we had in our class--and at one point made a statement to the effect of men are no good at paperwork. Considering that my writing and charting had received good feedback from all other instructors, I felt that she was a little bias. Other than that, I can't say that I've been treated unfairly in school nor in the workplace. In fact, I've been told on multiple occasions that it is nice having male nurses around because we tend to have a more calm demeanor and don't contribute as much to unit drama. These statements were from female nurses by the way, so I hope ladies don't think I'm trying to accuse them of being dramatic and emotional or anything like that.

I've seen male nurses get fawned over, get treated with more respect by some of the male doctors as well as *some* of the nurse managers,
and i've chuckled when male nurses get absolutely adored for even minimal effort by some patients, (same move by female nurse gets no effusive response), i've seen male nurses get into specialty units faster than some female nurses who i knew had also applied and were equally qualified or more qualified, more so in the past maybe, but, males used to be chosen over females very often.

I've followed male nurses who had patients that rave about them, partly it seemed out of the sheer novelty of being cared for by a male. (not to say, that the male nurse wasn't great nurse, but, that same pt might not rave that enthusiastically about their female nurses).

but, on the other hand, i have seen some male nurses have to deal with being rejected by a few patients (but, i've also seen a few female nurses be rejected for whatever reason, but not for their gender), and i really do see how the male nurse really IS sought out everytime we move a big patient, oh wow, that is so so true, i'd bet their back injury rate has to be way higher than female nurses, but, that's just a guess.
I've seen a few individual male nurses be less than appreciated now and then, but, it seems to mostly happen to those with real quirky habits or really really odd personalities. But no doubt, there can be some oddball doctor, patient, or manager here or there,
who doesn't respond as well to a male nurse, due to his/her own preconceptions or whatever.
but generally,
to me,
it seems most male nurses are usually very well received by both other nurses, doctors, and patients.


I much enjoy having male nurses for coworkers, gender doesn't matter to me,
and when men first started showing up in noticeable numbers i was so stoked, thinking this might help increase nursing pay overall, YESsssss!..........but, it never did.


edit: i haven't seen a male nurse be assumed to be gay in eons, but, wow, yeah, long ago, that did seem to be something that america had to outgrow,
but, mostly it seems they have. I think that one is mostly over, imo.

BostonTerrierLover, you are a dude? ha, i never knew that. I liked your post here, and your posts don't seem to indicate you live in a bubble.

also,
i really think some individuals--of either gender--- can carry themselves in such a way, as to almost automatically be liked or respected by most ppl.