I just got through watching another episode of Third Watch on NBC. Tonight was the conclusion of the manhunt for a serial killer who turned out to be you gessed it a MALE LPN:angryfire . I get so tired of seeing these shows portray men and the nursing profession in this manner. Throughout the police investigation they focused almost soley on nurses as possible perps, (although they did consider failed med students or doc's who lost their license). This particular killer killed by heparainizing a teen girl's blood and draining her dry through an IV in her antecub. They acted like only a nurse had the knowledge to kill people in this manner.
Sorry for the rant, but I wish TV and movies would quit slamming nurses and perhaps show us for the true professionals we are!
We have the most awesome male CNA, but in my facility (assisted living) he isn't very welcome..and very sad for all of us!
You see, he is from Africa and is just doing CNA till his residency to re-entry to American Doc kicks in (he is a Doc in his country!). He is very sweet, understanding, very smart, and as I found, very cool about his position and the lack of trust by residents. Oh yes, and one other thing that really shouldn't make a difference...he is black (in a facility where all the patients are over 60 and white).
Poor guy! But he has 3 kids and a wife, and needs the money till he gets back into the swing. And he is just the best..in fact I told him once he got his practice..I WILL be his nurse! LOL!!!!!!! He likes that idea!
Well, after being denied into several peoples rooms, the caregivers were going off saying what they thought, and before I said it..he said it..I loved it! He reminded them that the age of the residents, the time in which they learned about the sexes and races, the modesty factor...and the fact that they still feel that a man should be a doc or he must be a perv is still alive and kicking in todays society. That it is them with the probelm, and he will help or not help...patients rights! He has no probelm with this and will be patient, poliet, and understanding because in essence...he totally understands. Then he reminded us that in his country...it is the opposite at times...black female docs, male cna's...and white folk are considered to pompus! But that doesn't change the fact that a patient is a patient and WE work for them, by them, and aside them! I thought that was sooooooooo cool of him..plus I suppose he was tired of all the complaining from the caregivers about him..LOL!
Yeah, I don't know what can be done to get more male nurses into the profession without any effects, but tv shows protraying them as evil or perverted certainly DOESN'T help!
Hey, with all those friv law suits...could a group of male nurse's sue for slander or something???
That CNA seems like a very nice, patient person. You'll have to remind him about your nursing offer when he gets licensed to practice medicine in the US. :chuckle
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
Oh yeah..that must be a pain!!!!!! Always explaining why you are a nurse and not a doc!!!! OUCH!
Did your RN school help you in anyway about how to respond to such questions and stereotypical responses towards male nursing? I know our guys got a elective to deal with this if they so wished, and everyone of them did, and formed a support group that is still alive and kicking today...with over 50 memembers and growing quickly! I wasn't sure if this was a cool idea or not..till I saw the wonderful things it did for our guys!
Oh and do you get to do what my hubby says is "ALS"...ALWAYS LIFTING SOMETHING? I have seen this too many times...oh ask the male nurse to help you lift and transfer patients. OH man I would get so mad!!!!!!
A lot of older white females here in the south don't want a black male near them...while its not right, I think your CNA coworker's got the healthiest atitude possible. We aren't gonna change them, it is their fear, their own pasts and prejudices. When I get a complaint like this I just support my good male coworkers because they have not done a thing wrong.
As for the guys not wanting male nurses or giving them 20 questions, well that's homophobia and again speaks to the patient's fears and prejudices. Sad.
The sweet young pretty nurse gets the sexual stereotyping/sexual come ons and innuendos to put up with too...sure seems like nursing has its unfair share of this crap doesn't it.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
I have half the mind to print this out for my wonderful male CNA and show him the support he has with us..but I won't...this is our convo...Thanks guys...I think that one is beyond special and I will fight tooth and nail to work with him when he has his practice! He is not only human..but very compassionate and understanding..heck he can be my doc anyday!!!!!!!!!
We meet such special people don't we...some not so savory and those that go beyond...this one goes beyond in spirit! And I have much to learn and share with him!
Maybe one day the predjudice will end..but till then...well...I just go with my love of people no matter, making things right by them..and learn from EVERYONE I meet!
Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.
Ok people I'm reading all of these rants. Look up each of the networks on the web and e-mail or write to the head honchos and tell them exactly what you all stated here on this thread. I understand that they do read the fan mail and if enough angry nurses inundate them with letters on how nurses are being portrayed in the media, they just may pay attention!!!!!
I trained with 3 males. One with a slight accent, when asked if he was gay used to reply : I am happy, just ask my wife. Are you afraid of pleasant, happy men?
Ok people I'm reading all of these rants. Look up each of the networks on the web and e-mail or write to the head honchos and tell them exactly what you all stated here on this thread. I understand that they do read the fan mail and if enough angry nurses inundate them with letters on how nurses are being portrayed in the media, they just may pay attention!!!!!
I've worn the print off of the keys on my keyboard doing just that, and what a great result it's had
i was looking in the yellow pages to get a pizza delivered today and what did i see on the opposite add? a cartoon pic of a nurse with enormous boobs advertising a costume shop that also carries "adult toys". go figure...
There actually have been several male LPN serial killers, and at least one female that I know of. Maybe the TV program writers got the idea for the program from reading about them.
avahsmiles
119 Posts
That CNA seems like a very nice, patient person. You'll have to remind him about your nursing offer when he gets licensed to practice medicine in the US. :chuckle