Being Gay and a Male Nursing Student

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Specializes in Cardiac-Thoracic, Med/Surg.

I'm aware that the words 'Gay' and 'Nursing' may somehow go hand-and-hand for some, and others may find it comical, but I've found it quite uncomfortable being gay and a male, nursing student simply because people tend to treat you differently-whether that is not being taken seriously or socially treated like one of the women nurses and/or techs.

Although I keep my personal and work life separate and I have a passion for nursing, but many people still seem to pick up that "vibe" then judge me accordingly. Sometimes I feel like I have to work harder than the other students simply because many people tend to associate gay men with a long list of stereotypical humor and cruelty.

If there are any other gay, male nursing students OR Nurses out there, share your coping mechanisms while in class and/or on the job.

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I too would like to know how others deal with this as I will be starting this journey soon.

Thanks all and best of luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

As a nurse of 34 years.....the sexual preference of any of my co-workers has ever been apart of any discussion or consideration. If however your mannerisms are......overtly flamboyant like Mario Cantone, Carson Kressley or one of Ru Paul's drag queens (which by the way is one of my guilty pleasures). I would suggest that you try to maintain a more professional demeanor when in clinicals or at work.

I am sorry you are experiencing this kind of behavior....:hug:.One would think we have progressed in our evolutionary process past this petty stuff. Nurses have been the stereotype brunt of jokes for years.

If I heard one more "do you know why nurses have dirty knees" joke or "how do you tell who the head nurse is.....by the dirty knees"or one more reference about the latest adult film about the dirty little nurse......I swear the next time will stab their eyes out. :madface: I actually hear the music from psycho and fantasize about stabbing the moron to death. :devil:

But I don't.....sigh........:sniff: I just pity them in their ignorance and feel sorry that they are so emotionally crippled and mentally deficient that I can only feel pity with wisps of disgust.:barf01:

:hug: Consider the source....move on and be the best nurse you can be.

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Specializes in Cardiac-Thoracic, Med/Surg.
\ said:
As a nurse of 34 years.....the sexual preference of any of my co-workers has ever been apart of any discussion or consideration. If however your mannerisms are......overtly flamboyant like Mario Cantone, Carson Kressley or one of Ru Paul's drag queens (which by the way is one of my guilty pleasures). I would suggest that you try to maintain a more professional demeanor when in clinicals or at work.

I am sorry you are experiencing this kind of behavior....:hug:.One would think we have progressed in our evolutionary process past this petty stuff. Nurses have been the stereotype bunt odfjokes for years. If I heard one more "do you know why nurses have dirty knees" joke or "how do you tell who the head nurse is.....by the dirty knees"or one more reference about the latest adult film about the dirty little nurse......I swear the next time will stab their eyes out. :madface: I actually hear the music from psycho and fantasize about stabbing the moron to death. :devil:

But I don't.....sigh........:sniff: I just pity them in their ignorance and feel sorry that they are so emotionally crippled and mentally deficient that I can only feel pity with wisps of disgust.:barf01:

:hug: Consider the source....move on and be the best nurse you can be.

Lol! Thank you for that reassuring word. I'm not much a flamer, not in the work setting at least, but most of female workers tend to pick up on a few things and start treating me like "homegirl" rather than co-worker! Maybe I'm just a tad bit too serious. I don't know. But it's good to have someone of your caliber with 34 years of experience to share your input. It's much appreciated. Hopefully I'll be able to say the same one day, but I'm only just starting. Thanks again! ?

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Specializes in Cardiac-Thoracic, Med/Surg.
\ said:
I too would like to know how others deal with this as I will be starting this journey soon.

Thanks all and best of luck!

I guess we're in the same boat, huh? In that case, hopefully we can both get more comments on this thread. I'm sure there's plenty others out there! Lol!

Good luck to you as well! ?

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\ said:

I guess we're in the same boat, huh? In that case, hopefully we can both get more comments on this thread. I'm sure there's plenty others out there! Lol!

Good luck to you as well! ?

Yes, we are! I am sure there are plenty more out there that will be able to shed some light and offer up some words. ?

Thank you!

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Specializes in ICU.

I am surprised to find this thread so fast. I joined less then an hour ago. I am just beginning to look into nursing as a new career. I will soon be 30 and a student. I agree that I am not much of a flamer, but girls do tend to pick up a "vibe." I def do not want to be viewed as the gay guy on the team or treated any differently. I have worked in the health care field before and was the only male. Back then, I don't think it really mattered since I was the youngest and worked with married women. I think it would be interesting to hear what others have experienced and how to deal. Thank you for this thread

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Shields SN14 said:
Lol! Thank you for that reassuring word. I'm not much a flamer, not in the work setting at least, but most of female workers tend to pick up on a few things and start treating me like "homegirl" rather than co-worker! Maybe I'm just a tad bit too serious. I don't know. But it's good to have someone of your caliber with 34 years of experience to share your input. It's much appreciated. Hopefully I'll be able to say the same one day, but I'm only just starting. Thanks again! ?

You'll be fine! :up:;)....just ignore them there will always be haters. When female co-workers treat you asa home girl it's not because you are gay it's because they trust you. :D

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Specializes in Cardiac-Thoracic, Med/Surg.
\ said:
I am surprised to find this thread so fast. I joined less then an hour ago. I am just beginning to look into nursing as a new career. I will soon be 30 and a student. I agree that I am not much of a flamer, but girls do tend to pick up a "vibe." I def do not want to be viewed as the gay guy on the team or treated any differently. I have worked in the health care field before and was the only male. Back then, I don't think it really mattered since I was the youngest and worked with married women. I think it would be interesting to hear what others have experienced and how to deal. Thank you for this thread

Welcome to the thread! ?

I created this thread in hopes that gay male nurses and/or students would express their experiences on a work:school basis.

Anyway, what school do attend? Have you started your Pre-Nursing prerequisites?

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Specializes in Cardiac-Thoracic, Med/Surg.
\ said:

You'll be fine! :up:;)....just ignore them there will always be haters. When female co-workers treat you asa home girl it's not because you are gay it's because they trust you. :D

Now that I think about it, the women do seem cling to me and entrust me with very personal things. Sometimes too personal! Lol! :))

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

In the end, you will be judged based on how good of a nurse you have become, not on your sexual orientation (or anyone's biases based on it). You are not going to hear "RS is a good nurse, but...."

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
cazman said:
I too would like to know how others deal with this as I will be starting this journey soon.

Thanks all and best of luck!

Yeah, it kinda stinks when other nurses are talking about their families and you aren't sure whether to bring your's up. If you are comfortable talking with someone about your boyfriend/partner, then go for it. If you are not, then just don't. (Either way, leave the details of the bedroom, well, in the bedroom at home....there are some straight coworkers I wish would!)

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