How High Is the Demand For Male CNA's /LPN's/RN's?

[pinktulips008]

Hey guys, thank you in advance for reading this thread as this is my first question here at AN :). Few days back I received a phone call from a CNA instructor notifying me that I had been accepted into the CNA program that lasts three weeks. I am not too worried about the class as I am more than dedicated when it comes to studying and performing skills to the best of my ability. However, I wanted to pick the fine brain of allnurse.com to see what people thought about the demand levels for male CNA's and RN's?

Oddly enough, when my grandfather got discharged from Long Term care here in Wyoming, one of the LPN's asked me to apply to their LTC unit immediately because more male CNA's and RNs were needed. Is this typical for most hospitals and LTC facilities to have high needs for male workers?

Anyhow, this is an awesome community as it has been providing me amazing information as I begin pursuing my degree in nursing itself. Thanks for the feedback and have a great day!

John King

[elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

i wouldn't call it so much a "demand" for males in the field, but theyre definitely welcomed. Think of it as a scholarship. It always goes to the most deserving, but it helps when youve got that little something extra haha

[iluvgusgus]

How about this- theres a demand for well-qualified, hardworking, compassionate people that are truly interested in helping others to be nurses! Doesnt matter your gender.

[KenH]

I don't think that the demand is super different. Although some people treat male staff as a lift team.

Big + on the lift team thing, I do keep track of the co-workers who ask for help lifting, who do the fake and grunt lift. Once or twice but never a third time.

Some places will tend to hire Males because of the work environment, but most places expect all to be able to do the job regardless of being a male or female.

Dont type cast your self, whatever direction you choose do it the of your abilities.

[vieratim1]

I agree with the "lifting comments" Don't fall into that trap. I was a CNA for 7 yrs, now an LPN. You will be called upon to lift pts, fix beds that aren't working (or plugged in), kill a bug in the bathroom, or plunge the toilet after maintainance has left. Not to mention taking the trash out because it's dark. All because "the girls" can't do it. It will get old after a while. If you decide to become a CNA, take pride in your work. And don't be surprised at the attitudes of other CNAs. Don't stop at being a CNA, though. Persue nursing. Beside you will be a much nurse have the CNA experience.

[jtmarcy12, BSN, RN]

Hi John: I love your enthusiasm, but as another post replied I think most male cna's or rn's ARE treated as lift teams and any other heavy duty type work that is needed. I am guilty of this myself, and I know one male became frustrated because everytime some heavy duty assist was needed we would always call on him. But that does not mean you will always be called on for heavy lifting. I wish you the best!!

[blackvans1234]

Do you find that on average female patients treat male CNA's differently than female CNA's?

YES!

Every time I work (inpatient physical rehab) there's elderly female patients that refuse to let me walk them to the bathroom.

I've been working at this location for over three years and it's still a daily (shift-ly) occurrence.

It's ironic because then there's 25 year old female patients that are not as timid. I had one patient practically flash me her boob when I went to reinforce her chest tube dressing.

I'm over it.

I love when the Jamaican tech goes in and starts yelling at them about it (Id be fired if I said anything)

[macgirl]

First read this....https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/about-that-avatar-900567.html

now to answer your question, The is a lot demand more in some areas, Ortho, ER, Psych to start.

[DatMurse]

handling disruptive patients, lifting heavy things, providing unofficial security, etc)...

Judo Chop!

[sam_sam0786]

Male nurse rocks

[ComeTogether, LPN]

It's not males in general, but people in general with the personality that fits the job. The fact is, many men aren't the "type" to be able to do this kind of work, or they are and don't know it.

It's helpful as far as the different needs of the diverse patients, some older males will respond better to a male caregiver. On the same hand, some older ladies won't let you near them.

Don't allow everyone to treat you like a human hoyer lift. You will burn out and be exhausted. You'll find it helpful to not have to ask for help for a lot of your patients, but annoying because everyone will ask you for help. Many times, they won't actually need the help, but will ask anyway because you're big and strong and can do it FOR them. Don't be that guy. ;-) Let them know you'll help, but aren't there to do it for them.