Afraid of Nursing as a Male?

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I have read a lot of topics about people hating their job because of the female nurses being...Bitc*** toward them

Whether they are told that they aren't doing good enough work, scrutinized for their gender and other things... It seems I have read a lot of them.

I am a 16 year old male looking into Emergency Room Nursing and the thought of going to college and having a bad experience there, or getting a job after going through college and hating it because of my co-workers. I am a person that tells it like it is and if a female nurse would say something to me, well i would let her know how it is....I am afraid I would lose my job or hate my job from these things.

Do you come across a lot of nurses like this?

Have you ever had a bad experience based on gender?

Is it enough to make you dislike your job?

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Specializes in Psych, CICU, Ortho, Army Medic.

Going through any schooling, being completely upfront and verbal about how you feel, can be a bad idea. Remember you need to pass certain tests.

No matter where you work and what you do, you will encounter people who'll **** you off. If I were you, I would work on self control. You'll go much further in your career, when able to control yourself and your emotions better.

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so your telling me to let myself be bossed around, told what to do, and let people walk all over me....yah right

Of course i am not gonna mouth off all the time, but if somebody constantly gives me crap than i will tell them how it is... now please answer the questions

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Specializes in Surgical/Operating Room.

I am a 29 year old male, I never had any kind of bias related to sex, but there were situations that involved older women who felt more comfortable with female nurses than male nurses.

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Specializes in Psych, CICU, Ortho, Army Medic.

Pilot833.. rule #1 read the posting completely and understand it.. nowhere in my posting did I tell you to bend over and take it up the tailpipe.

I am simply suggesting you select the battles you want to fight, 'cus fighting all the time will only get you expelled... but if that's your way of dealing with confrontations, be my guest - I couldn't care less... Why? maybe because you come across as a hothead??

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Specializes in Psych, CICU, Ortho, Army Medic.
...situations that involved older women who felt more comfortable with female nurses than male nurses.
I think we've all had those. If I get a sense that the patient would prefer a female nurse for what ever procedure, I always offer to get one for them. Most times they simply acknowledge the sensitivity of the situation and refuses.
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Specializes in Surgical/Operating Room.

Qbedobedoo, You said it all .... most of the time we always see the need of the patient at that time.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.
Do you come across a lot of nurses like this?

I can't think of a single time I have experienced any kind of overt discrimination at work because I'm a guy. I also work in critical care though, so there's a higher percentage of male nurses.

Have you ever had a bad experience based on gender?

I had a bad experiences during my maternity rotation in school. My clinical advisor wouldn't allow me to be in the birthing room, regardless of how the patients felt about it. That's a setting that can sometimes be less welcoming to men.

Is it enough to make you dislike your job?

No, I love my job.

I am a person that tells it like it is and if a female nurse would say something to me, well i would let her know how it is.

Some situations call for more tact than that. "Telling it like it is" often has consequences, and not every argument is worth them. A big part of becoming a man is developing the self control to be able to pick and choose your battles, and sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

That's not specific to nursing, or working with women. Prior to nursing I worked for two different fire departments and various ambulance services and each of those workplaces had their own politics, cliques, and pitfalls. Part of learning to navigate that kind of environment is knowing when it's better to keep your mouth shut, and that comes with maturity.

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Specializes in ER.

Pilot, I just want to commend you for even considering nursing at your age. Im sure most of your peers are not too accepting about your career choice at least that is how it was during my high school days and Im sure its not any different. I started nursing in my mid 30s and wish I 'd done it in my early 20s so I could've taken advantage of travel nursing before having a family. Nursing is not easy but the opportunities in nursing are endless. Do not let "working with "******" female nurses because there are guys who are like that too called "a^%h)^#. Every job has them and as you mature in life you will be able to deal with those type of people......I was just curious how you decided on nursing, do you have family, friends in the field or they do have career classes in your school encouraging nursing as career field?.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
I have read a lot of topics about people hating their job because of the female nurses being...Bitc*** toward them

Whether they are told that they aren't doing good enough work, scrutinized for their gender and other things... It seems I have read a lot of them.

I don't mean to be confrontational ... but I have to say - the stuff you've read, by and large, is nurses venting their frustrations. An analogy I can readily summon is enlisted men grouching about the officer(s) in their unit.

I am a 16 year old male looking into Emergency Room Nursing
Wow! Congratulations! You're way ahead of your peers. Heck, when I was 16 I didn't know the difference between football and soccer! Good on you mate - atleast you seem to have an inkling of what you want to do with your life!

and the thought of going to college and having a bad experience there, or getting a job after going through college and hating it because of my co-workers.
Here's my humble opinion:

1. College and 'bad experience' are not synonymous. Even if they were, the fact that you went to college and earned a degree outweighs everything else.

2. "Bad experience" is quite subjective. Did I have trouble during my nursing school? You bet your hiney I did! Do I regret it? NO! I quote my platoon sergeant: "the two most important teachers in life are "success" and "failure". They both impart lessons no classroom or textbook can ever give you".

Do you come across a lot of nurses like this?
Yes. Infact, I work with some at my current job.

Have you ever had a bad experience based on gender?
Not really. On the contrary, 99% of my patients are either very receptive that a 'nurse' is present during the time of their need or don't care either way... of the remainder 1%, I'm more than happy to accommodate their wishes. It ain't about me, it's about them...

Is it enough to make you dislike your job?
To use an analogy - what's your response when a girl refuses your advances for a date? Do you sulk and mope about it or do you say 'too bad! She's missing out having fun with a great guy!' ??

One of our long-term members here on this website has this statement as part of her signature: 'attitude - it's the difference between an adventure or an ordeal'. And THAT is exactly what it is all about...

Have I been discriminated against because I am a man in nursing? YES.

Would I change anything that led me to this point? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Do I "hate" my job because some of my co-workers aren't exactly 'team players' - NO!

Idiots come in all sizes and sexes - be it in an all male platoon of recon infantry in the Army or a band of mixed-gender nurses working in an Emergency Department.

My advice? Don't let the b*****ds grind you down...

Take the good and reject the bad. Promise yourself that you'll "never be the horrible nurse you've seen/observed" around you. Be the best PROFESSIONAL you can be.

cheers,

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Thanks for the feedback guys, It seems to me like most people in Nursing really enjoy it. I am currently applying to volunteer in the Emergency Room at my local hospital to see if i truly like it or not.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I've been a CNA for a year now and I have never had a female nurse be rude to me(or whatever) because I'm a dude. Most of the time, they are sooo greatful to have my help on their unit. Just remember to always be respectful to all of your nurses and patients and work very hard and do a good job and I'm sure you will have no problems with female nurses. hope this helps. --Tim

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