I have problems with the image of nurses and the assumptions people make about them.
I've met plenty of driven, multitalented, ambitious people who want to help patients in different and more comprehensive ways than a doctor could.
But I don't care about negative images. I will achieve my goals, despite how many comments from ignorant people I get to the contrary. Posters like this help kick those stereotypes in the ***.
Descriptions of the above guys, from left to right:
Sang Kim RN Cardiac Telemetry Nurse Snowboarder
Terry Misener RN, PhD Dean, School of Nursing Retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Yuri Chavez RN, CRNA Nurse Anesthetist 2:54 LA Marathon
Roland Jomerson RN Post Anesthesia Recovery Nurse Decorated Vietnam Combat Medic and Retired Major, U.S. Army
Don Mucciprosso RN Poison Specialist Nurse Harley Rider
Walter Moore, Jr. RN Intensive Care Unit Nurse U.S. Navy Seal Team One
Bill Maddalena SN Student Nurse 3rd Degree Black Belt Kenpo
L. Rey Ariola RN Cardiology Nurse Rugby Right Prop
Jason Scott Carrick SN Student Nurse Basketball Power Forward
Personally, I don't like the poster. Why not show us on the job instead of with a bewildered look in a karate outfit or a mean looking Harley Rider.
Those guys I'm sure are good nurses, but in the drive to promote men in nursing. they are too heavy on the masculine stereotypes of toughness. They could have at least asked them to look a little bit nurturing and less scarey and smile. I blame the photographers and the campaingn, as I say, they are great nurses I'm sure.
I was talking last night with a female co-worker, and after 2yrs of school and 1yr on the floor, I had to agree with her that it is sometimes harder for a man to "think like a nurse." Mostly because I'm still rather new, but I think also partly because I'm male, it takes a lot to think holisticly and not be too task-oriented. So I find myself wondering, at times, whether I'm woman enough to be a nurse. The answer, of course, is that I'm human enough, and if I'm willing to dig, I can find the qualities I need, call them what you will.
Mike most nursing students and new grads I've come across over the years are task-oriented. I think that is the common beginner's level and not necessary a reflection of gender.
I like like the way you think, however. Men have all the qualities to ge a good nurse. We just have to not be afraid to find them, nurture them, and use them.
One of my clinical instructors occassionally complained that my classmates and I didn't appear to be having any fun. She once actually called us a bunch of stiffs. We, of course, thought she was deranged. These aren't just peoples lives we're dealing with--we were getting graded on it, too!
Whoulda thunk it? She was right all along. Nursing is a ball! When you aren't crying or fainting or throwing up or pulling your hair out, it's just a blast to be a nurse.
On the other hand, it's sad nursing is so gender specific. I love the thread on the history of men in nursing as it shows it doesn't necessarily need to be. Maybe another question to ask would be is nursing diverse enough for men? The answer may depend on the type of nursing job.
Yes! I am man enough too! I also decided to take up nursing and I will finish it one way or another. Those guys in the poster are only half of what you see. The strong faces, big muscles and uncertain looks are only their "half side" when they are off duty. Male nurses are people too, you know, and I will be one of them soon. Females often say, " Women can do what men can do." Well, male nurses can also do what female nurses can do too. Sometimes, a bit more.
Guys should think again that nursing is also a profession for males. The poster says so. It doesn't make you a lesser man if you are a nurse.
By the way, we were awarded our badges lately. I'm officially a nursing student now (not the AHSE-type student) and will be on my 3rd year this coming school year! Two years more and it will be graduation time!
I saw a guy in my English comp class with a t-shirt that had that pic of "Uncle Sam" pointing with the caption, "Are You Man Enough to be a Nurse?". I thought it was pretty cool but the professor didn't seem to like it all that much...said it offended her. Oh well.
I'm 6'7" and go about 270 lbs, am I man enough? LOL :pumpiron:
I saw a guy in my English comp class with a t-shirt that had that pic of "Uncle Sam" pointing with the caption, "Are You Man Enough to be a Nurse?". I thought it was pretty cool but the professor didn't seem to like it all that much...said it offended her. Oh well.
I'm 6'7" and go about 270 lbs, am I man enough? LOL :pumpiron:
Do you have any idea what exactly offended this professor?
BTW, this shirt sounds like good PR for the Army Nurse Corps.
I personally approve of the campaign poster very much, since I am a male who prides himself on being athletic and taking care of himself.....I had to wrestle with the idea and the publics preconcieved notion of what a male nurses image is generally accepted to be for a long time, but I once read that a "person's career doesn't need to be the sole definition of that individual"...and I have to come to the realization that this is true for a lot more people than one would initially think, male nurses included.
I am a fisrt year nurse and one subject we had to undertake during term one was Foundations of Professional Nursing. During this course an essay had to be done on one of two topics. Topic one was the establishment of community nursing and topic two was the changing role of men in nursing. I took topic two. During my research I was drawn to the historical role of men in nursing. Men were primary caregivers in early times, mainly monastic orders but other associations were also prevelent.
It was not until the sanitary reform movement of the early nineteenth century, influenced by Florence Nightingale, that men were excluded from practising as nurses. Florence saw nursing as womens work and that only women held the virtues that enabled careing for the sick. Men were forced into private duty nursing and asylum work. It was'nt until the mid twentieth century that men were able to register and practise in mainstream medical institutions, this was due to a worldwide nursing shortage.
Don't get me wrong, Florence Nightingale was instrumental in reforming hospitals but she did nothing to enhance the role of men in the nursing field.
I am proud to be part of a very dynamic and noble profession and look forward to many years serving the community.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,298 Posts
Are you man enough to crack a smile?
Personally, I don't like the poster. Why not show us on the job instead of with a bewildered look in a karate outfit or a mean looking Harley Rider.
Those guys I'm sure are good nurses, but in the drive to promote men in nursing. they are too heavy on the masculine stereotypes of toughness. They could have at least asked them to look a little bit nurturing and less scarey and smile. I blame the photographers and the campaingn, as I say, they are great nurses I'm sure.