by wooden nickel

I hope there is someone else out there who is a male nurse and has trouble with the patients thinking your the doctor? I don't mind telling them I'm a nurse (proud of it!) But then you get the look as if "What couldn't make it in med school?" or what?!
And another thing why is it that all the nurses (female) always grab me for the heavy lifting, I used to be a EMT, my back kills me!
So far my answer to these questions have always been go with the flow, take the smart looks from patients (they don't know any better) and help with the heavy lifting (it's only my back- they still make 'Advil')--- If there is anybody out there with any other advice please let me know it would be helpful. Thanks

Re: Doctor who?

As I have said before, I have never used the "male" part of me to lift a heavy patient (my adams apple). I've been in this for 20+ years and I have found the "how come you didn't become a doctor" attitude is less each year. I'm still expected to lift twice my own weight, know all the answers (fortunately I do), and pretend to be a doctor when a confused patient wants to see a doctor "right now" (No, I don't do masquerades). I do find as a man in nursing many of my female peers think I should work every Christmas,Weekend, July 4th, etc- since I'm not someones mother spending time with my children isn't important to me.

Re: Doctor who?

Originally Posted by wooden nickel

I hope there is someone else out there who is a male nurse and has trouble with the patients thinking your the doctor? I don't mind telling them I'm a nurse (proud of it!) But then you get the look as if "What couldn't make it in med school?" or what?!
And another thing why is it that all the nurses (female) always grab me for the heavy lifting, I used to be a EMT, my back kills me!
So far my answer to these questions have always been go with the flow, take the smart looks from patients (they don't know any better) and help with the heavy lifting (it's only my back- they still make 'Advil')--- If there is anybody out there with any other advice please let me know it would be helpful. Thanks

As my screen name implies, even as a (much older than my peers) nursing student, I am commonly referred to as "Doc" on the floor. It doesn't bother me at all. I politely correct the patient/nurse/doctor/whoever and let them know that I am in nursing. A few patients have asked why I chose nursing over medicine, but they asked in such a way that I honestly believe they were being curious rather than condescending.

As for the heavy lifting part of being a male in the hospital, I do draw the line there. I like my back in one piece. I let whoever assumes I should be able to bench press any patient on the floor know that I will be happy to *help* them with a move, but not do it by myself. That usually gets the point across. And then, of course, I help move the patient!

I am often the only male (at least, without MD after my name or an ID bracelet on my arm) on the floors I have worked and done clinicals on. I really enjoy it. Not one patient, physician, or other nurse has made a single snide or off-color comment to me. The most common response I get, in fact, when I let other nurses know that I am a nursing student is, "oh good, we really need more men in nursing." I couldn't agree more...

notadoc

Re: Doctor who?

Even though I'm a female, I have observed this interesting phenomenon. It revolves around the manner in which many people have been socialized.

I work at a nursing home/SNF, and many of my patients are over the age of 65. These people were born and bred during a time when few, if any, males pursued nursing. In their time, females became nurses and males became doctors. Therefore, these people will see any well-groomed male wearing scrubs or a labcoat, and automatically assume that he is the doctor.

One time I had a female hospice patient who was 74 years of age. A male RN came in to assess her while she was on the phone. She told the caller, "I've gotta go, because the doctor is here to see me!"

Re: Doctor who?

I get that often...and often patients remark.."oh the doc's here to take my b/p..." well, when was the last doc you saw do that? My favorite is when they ask me for medicine, and I have to say "well, let me let your nurse be aware of that..."
I get grabbed for lifts, but I dish it right back out, and I have my "favorites" that I grab to help me lift as well, so...turnabout's fair play....and I'd rather grab the first one I can vs. hunting for someone to help....

Re: Doctor who?

Originally Posted by suanna

As I have said before, I have never used the "male" part of me to lift a heavy patient (my adams apple). I've been in this for 20+ years and I have found the "how come you didn't become a doctor" attitude is less each year. I'm still expected to lift twice my own weight, know all the answers (fortunately I do), and pretend to be a doctor when a confused patient wants to see a doctor "right now" (No, I don't do masquerades). I do find as a man in nursing many of my female peers think I should work every Christmas,Weekend, July 4th, etc- since I'm not someones mother spending time with my children isn't important to me.

I'm confused... So you don't correct a confused patient when they ask if you are their Dr.?? Just curious???

Re: Doctor who?

In LTC, the residents knew I was a nurse, and as far as "why don't you become a doctor," I only had one little old lady who always said about me, "Now there's a good doctor!"

Now that I work in the plasma center doing physicals, EVERYONE thinks I am a doctor and calls me "Doc." The Center Medical Director told me during training that I would be perceived as a "doctor" by the donors, and to be prepared for it and act accordingly (within my proper scope of practice of course). All female medical staff are called "nurses" (in the plasmapheresis setting, both the FDA and German Health Authority allow paramedics, LPNs, RNs, and even chiropractors to be designated as "physician substitutes" for purposes of donor suitability assessment and medical coverage. We practice under the medical supervision of an MD/DO who is designated as the medical director.)

Re: Doctor who?

Nursing is great profession, so that it have to include males and females, so any one ask you about your job don't worry about his or her question and tell him that you are a nurse.
thanks

Re: Doctor who?

Originally Posted by wooden nickel

I hope there is someone else out there who is a male nurse and has trouble with the patients thinking your the doctor? I don't mind telling them I'm a nurse (proud of it!) But then you get the look as if "What couldn't make it in med school?" or what?!
And another thing why is it that all the nurses (female) always grab me for the heavy lifting, I used to be a EMT, my back kills me!
So far my answer to these questions have always been go with the flow, take the smart looks from patients (they don't know any better) and help with the heavy lifting (it's only my back- they still make 'Advil')--- If there is anybody out there with any other advice please let me know it would be helpful. Thanks

Yeah. You have to develop your own canned lines in my opinion, or make up new ones each time. It's harder in places like the ER and whatnot but on Med/Surg where I work I always tell them I am going to be their nurse for the day, and don't have the experience as much. As far as canned lines, one of the male nurses I look up to (28 yrs experience ER) would always reply to "Are you a doctor?"
with "No, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night does that count?" at which point he would chuckle and inform them that he was the RN. And having a sense of humor about it.

Re: Doctor who?

As Commuter says, it's largely a matter of socialization.

I've seen a nurse walk into a room with a big "RN" pin on his chest, introduce himself as the nurse, and immediately be asked "Are you my doctor?"

Give it another 20 years and it probably won't be an issue.