New Male Nurse = No Problem Landing A Job ???

Nurses Men

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"Don't worry, you're a guy. You'll have no problem finding a job!"

How many of you guys have heard this? The reason that I ask is this. Every time I spoke to anyone in nursing school about the job crisis, that was always (and I mean always) the response I would get. Well, It's been over a month since I passed the NCLEX and after sending out about 25 resumes, I only heard from 1 hospital.

Everybody wants 1 to 3 or 3 to 5 years experience

So anyway

Question for you guys out there.

Have any of you found that you are more likely to be hired as a male nurse regardless of experience? Let me know and also, let me know where you're from. I'm wondering if this is just a regional problem.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
We're hiring all the time... the make up seems to be similar to the makeup of my nursing school class... 30% male, 70% female.

Being male may help in that it's easier to make a lasting impression since by being more unique.

The original premise, however, is ridiculous.

*** 30% Male! Wow. I was not only the only male in my class, I was the only male in the nursing program. That is very good news for nursing.

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I would like to clarify something to those who challenged my contention that people frequently told me that, because I'm a male, a job would not be difficult to attain. Additionally, I was also frequently told that "men are highly desired in nursing".

You need to understand, I am coming into this field as an outsider. I have no contacts or connections in the medical field, other than those that I met in Nursing School. Many of those who told me these things were in the field as LPNs, as well as some professors and administrators in school.

I find it hard to believe that some posters have never heard these sentiments. Does skill level and experience play the biggest part in who gets hired for a particular job? Of course, as it should, but It's disingenuous to pretend that we live in a world free from racial and gender preferences... or biases for that matter. And I think the people that expressed these sentiments, understood that.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I would like to clarify something to those who challenged my contention that people frequently told me that, because I'm a male, a job would not be difficult to attain. Additionally, I was also frequently told that "men are highly desired in nursing".

*** I have absolutely no doubt that you where told that frequently. I am as equally as sure that those who said it to you actually believe it while they were saying it to you.

Many of those who told me these things were in the field as LPNs, as well as some professors and administrators in school.

*** Probably difficult to find a more out of touch with nursing than professors and school administrators.

find it hard to believe that some posters have never heard these sentiments.

*** Well I am a man and have been in nursing for a long time and I have no memory of ever hearing anyone say that. I am sure I would remember, as well as the argument that would have followed when I set them strait.

Does skill level and experience play the biggest part in who gets hired for a particular job? Of course, as it should, but It's disingenuous to pretend that we live in a world free from racial and gender preferences... or biases for that matter. And I think the people that expressed these sentiments, understood that

*** Read the subject line of the OP. Not exactly a nuanced statement. It's insulting to all the male RNs out there who have to hustle to find a job, any job. That is if they can even find a job. Lots of them can't.

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Specializes in Hospice, Telemetry.

Being a minority (male) helped me get into nursing school and also gave me an edge when it came to getting a job. That's the reality I experienced (and I am not about to complain). Fair? Well, life ain't fair, but what goes around comes around.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Being a minority (male) helped me get into nursing school and also gave me an edge when it came to getting a job. That's the reality I experienced .

*** Ya me too. However a little leg up or some advantage is nothing like what was said to the OP. Read the subject line of the OP.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I would like to clarify something to those who challenged my contention that people frequently told me that, because I'm a male, a job would not be difficult to attain. Additionally, I was also frequently told that "men are highly desired in nursing".

You need to understand, I am coming into this field as an outsider. I have no contacts or connections in the medical field, other than those that I met in Nursing School. Many of those who told me these things were in the field as LPNs, as well as some professors and administrators in school.

I find it hard to believe that some posters have never heard these sentiments. Does skill level and experience play the biggest part in who gets hired for a particular job? Of course, as it should, but It's disingenuous to pretend that we live in a world free from racial and gender preferences... or biases for that matter. And I think the people that expressed these sentiments, understood that.

As an insider for 35 years I have no doubt that was said to you...however it is he validity of that statement bears scrutiny. Those who told you I am sure believed what they were saying....the reality is that it isn't true. Right now there is a plethora of new grads so a manager can pick the cream of the crop regardless of sex.

When I was the director/manager for an Emergency Department I can assure that it isn't true....I would hire experience. Now if that make new grad was a paramedic for 10 years they would get preference over a new grad with no experience...that the paramedics happened to be male is because there are more male medic historically than female medics...but the fact remains....they were hired for thier experience NOT their gender.

It is you prerogative to believe whomever you wish~

Good Luck in your nursing journey! :)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Esme - as a hiring manager how did education play into your decision - did ADN vs BSN matter to you or did you look solely at experience?

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