Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Hi whilst yes I am a female RN, I have a brother - in - law who is an RN, a cousin who is a RN and a very good friend who is a Nurse Manger for RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service), none of which you would call wimpy or unmanley.

I do find it amusing though as I work in ED and often the male RN's are refered to as Dr by (especially elderly) patients.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

I would just like to say I take offense to someone writing something in this forum that states "at worst gay."

I am a proud gay male and I happen to be a nurse. I have no problem with being proud of either label applied to me.

With you saying "at worst gay", you are conveying to others that there is something inherently wrong with people seeing you as gay. I am conflicted in saying this but, you should be so lucky. Gay and lesbian nurses are some of the most compassionate people that I have had the pleasure to work with.

Although I don't think that sexual orientation matters with the respect to the work we do (our straight counterparts are just as compassionate and caring). Therefore I see little with what being seen as gay and a male has anything to do with nursing or how you are perceived by others.

Just my rant.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

I don't think there is anything wrong AT ALL with being gay.

Some of the greatest people to grace this planet are of that persuasion.

However, as a straight male, I think that in the interest of meeting women (hence the title of the thread) being perceived as gay is a serious disadvantage.

It's not OUR perception of homosexuality that is the problem, but rather the perception of others and how it affects us. Like it or not, what other people think CAN affect you, especially in the dating scene. I think that there are too many small-minded people out there, and such stigmas (true or otherwise) can transcend any amount of rational thought processes.

I don't know who posted "At worst gay", and while I agree that perhaps those were not the best choice of words, I don't think the poster was trying to imply that there is anything inherently wrong with being gay. Rather, I think they were trying to point out that such a perception can be a disadvantage in certain situations, ie meeting women.

Another idea that gets thrown around too much, is the assumption that Gay men are somehow not as tough as straight men.
Gay does not = wimpy. (in many ways the opposite is often true) I think that's an important point to make.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

I would just like to say I take offense to someone writing something in this forum that states "at worst gay."

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

I am a proud gay male and I happen to be a nurse. I have no problem with being proud of either label applied to me.

With you saying "at worst gay", you are conveying to others that there is something inherently wrong with people seeing you as gay. I am conflicted in saying this but, you should be so lucky. Gay and lesbian nurses are some of the most compassionate people that I have had the pleasure to work with.

Although I don't think that sexual orientation matters with the respect to the work we do (our straight counterparts are just as compassionate and caring). Therefore I see little with what being seen as gay and a male has anything to do with nursing or how you are perceived by others.

Just my rant.

Originally Posted by johny1

Do these women see nurses as somewhat effeminate, at worst gay?

Mate, maybe you miss interpreted what I meant. To a heterosexual single man, being seen as effeminate by the opposite sex is 'sexual suicide' as most women are not attracted to this and will relegate you to 'nice guy' status. The worst situation for a heterosexual man is being seen as gay because women will think he has no interest in them at all.

There is nothing wrong with a straight single guy being seen as gay if he wants a lifetime of chastity! I assume you wouldn’t want to be seen as heterosexual by other men you are attracted to.

Originally Posted by johny1

I think I'm only concerned about this because I’m single. Otherwise it wouldn’t bother me what people thought outside of my family and friends.

Being a gay male and a nurse and being proud of both labels are great if you’re gay and a nurse. Being a straight male and a nurse and having your sexuality questioned because you are a nurse is not.

I hope you understand what I meant by “at worst gay” now.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Originally Posted by mingez

I don't think there is anything wrong AT ALL with being gay.

Some of the greatest people to grace this planet are of that persuasion.

However, as a straight male, I think that in the interest of meeting women (hence the title of the thread) being perceived as gay is a serious disadvantage.

It's not OUR perception of homosexuality that is the problem, but rather the perception of others and how it affects us. Like it or not, what other people think CAN affect you, especially in the dating scene. I think that there are too many small-minded people out there, and such stigmas (true or otherwise) can transcend any amount of rational thought processes.

I don't know who posted "At worst gay", and while I agree that perhaps those were not the best choice of words, I don't think the poster was trying to imply that there is anything inherently wrong with being gay. Rather, I think they were trying to point out that such a perception can be a disadvantage in certain situations, ie meeting women.

Another idea that gets thrown around too much, is the assumption that Gay men are somehow not as tough as straight men.
Gay does not = wimpy. (in many ways the opposite is often true) I think that's an important point to make.

Well put mate, People who don't like to think outside the square cling to stereotypes.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Originally Posted by CDNCommunityRN

I would just like to say I take offense to someone writing something in this forum that states "at worst gay."

I am a proud gay male and I happen to be a nurse. I have no problem with being proud of either label applied to me.

With you saying "at worst gay", you are conveying to others that there is something inherently wrong with people seeing you as gay. I am conflicted in saying this but, you should be so lucky. Gay and lesbian nurses are some of the most compassionate people that I have had the pleasure to work with.

Although I don't think that sexual orientation matters with the respect to the work we do (our straight counterparts are just as compassionate and caring). Therefore I see little with what being seen as gay and a male has anything to do with nursing or how you are perceived by others.

Just my rant.

The perception by the public regards to being seen as gay and a male has everything to do with male nurse stereotypes. Your sexual orientation is certainly your free choosing. However, I dislike the fact that the general public often mislabels male nurses as being gay... something I'm not.

Therefore, I can certainly understand the OP's intentions of the statement where he used "at worst gay" as it applies to the original theme of this Thread.

*I've done a lot of editing with this post before hitting the Submit Reply button in hopes of not ruining this thread or offending anyone.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Nicely done, everyone.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Has it or will it come to an issue of political correctness?
As a former flight attendant, we no longer called ourselves stewardess' b/c we had all the great men I worked with on board finally!!!
MY girlfriend who is a postal carrier/mailperson...isn't a mailman these days b/c many wonderful women have entered that profession.
So I suppose that maybe what my thoughts are about is not so much male or female but the gender orientated title of the profession itself.
My personal thoughts....guys in this profession are amazing, caring and wonderful and what great friends and perspectives you guys add.
Thanks for being manly enough to be where you are!

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Think of it as a twit filter. People who are worth knowing will accept you for who you are and what you do. People who snicker up their sleeves and worse are generally the world's biggest jackasses and life is too short to put up with them if you don't have to.

Because you're part of a minority in this profession, some people won't know what to think for a few minutes. Give them a little time to adjust their prejudices.

In any case, welcome. The rest of us out here in nursing land are glad you're joining us.

Re: Womens interest in male nurses

Originally Posted by Daye

Has it or will it come to an issue of political correctness?
As a former flight attendant, we no longer called ourselves stewardess' b/c we had all the great men I worked with on board finally!!!
MY girlfriend who is a postal carrier/mailperson...isn't a mailman these days b/c many wonderful women have entered that profession.
So I suppose that maybe what my thoughts are about is not so much male or female but the gender orientated title of the profession itself.
My personal thoughts....guys in this profession are amazing, caring and wonderful and what great friends and perspectives you guys add.

Thanks for being manly enough to be where you are!

Your welcome