Being a male increase your chances

OCNRN63, RN · May 15, 2014

I said a shoe in if the credentials are there. If it was merit only then individuals with less than stellar credentials wouldn't get in so that's not accurate either. It doesn't matter the reason why they've chosen not to if they are trying to now then there could be an emphasis on selection with the right credentials. Again it was a question based on my constantly reading and hearing about males being needed and desired in the field.

OK, yes, you will be a shoe-in. There, feel better? That was the answer you wanted to hear, even though those of us who are nurses and know how the system works have tried to explain it to you.

If you do become a nurse, please be sure to come back and ask if you'll be a shoe-in for a job since you're a male.*

*So tired of posts from people thinking they're entitled for one reason or another.

Grillmister · May 17, 2014

The OP has a legitimate question, since male nurses are about nine percent of the population. That low number asks ,"Why do men not choose this noble profession?" The answer can't be the dismissive "men just choose not to". Part of the answer may be social stereotyping. Part may be the public expectation of gender that can be seen as female pronouns in textbooks (Her, she).

I only read one response to the question where the respondent cited any experience that merited a response....

Minority male status=1 extra point.

There are organizations dedicated to sole idea of recruiting men to a profession that may be better served by a more equal work force.

Good luck sir.

bosox1027 · May 17, 2014

All I know is I busted my A** to get into a very competitive program. I cannot speak for others but the only thing that mattered in my school were grades. I do not know one person in the whole application process. While doing my pre req's I was told by my adviser to keep my grades up (especially science classes) because that is all that they look at. I was told that there were over 300 transfer applicants as well as those who applied from our school. They only accepted 56 students. maybe I am being naive but I never once got the impression that being male gave me any type of advantage at all.

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · May 17, 2014

The OP has a legitimate question, since male nurses are about nine percent of the population. That low number asks ,"Why do men not choose this noble profession?" The answer can't be the dismissive "men just choose not to". Part of the answer may be social stereotyping. Part may be the public expectation of gender that can be seen as female pronouns in textbooks (Her, she).

Men are only 9% of nurses because they choose not to go into the profession. It has zero percent to do with them being discriminated against getting into the profession. Men consist of 12% of nursing students and growing, not because of special treatment by nursing schools, but because more men see it as an interesting profession. As the baby boomer generation nurses (almost entirely female) retire they will be replaced with some males, causing the percentages to increase at a faster rate.

NCH, RN · May 18, 2014

As far as nursing school, my college accepts strictly on points for certain classes and points for the TEAS test scores, we also earn one point for completing at least 12 credit hours at the college and 2 if if we are an LPN, gender doesn't play a role at all.

I'm not sure how true it is really, but the nurse practitioner at my doctors office told me that being a male would help me to get a job at our local hospital, but I am also pretty close to the husband of the hiring manager for nurses, so I don't think that it matters.

The nurse practitioner may be correct for this area though, being in the south, in a big retirement area with a recently booming population due to a lot of job openings. The hospital hired a male nurse last year and it made a fairly big article in the local newspaper. I won't count on it or expect it personally though, particularly in different areas of the country.

panic36 · May 18, 2014

Yes, affirmative action does apply to the nursing field for men. Just as it would for a woman trying to get into a more male field of work. But please don't go into nursing just because you think you will have an easier time for employment, or acceptance. A lot of places I know use a point system, and they base extra points of categories of minorities, if the employee balance is low having African american employees, they will get a slight point increase. This whole system is to promote a balanced work environment. This applies to many nursing schools/jobs. Everyone wants to prove they maintain balance, and put that they are an equal opportunity employer on their ads.

txsky SRNA · Jun 5, 2014

I served on the admissions committee at a large university school of nursing several years ago. Yes, males (and other minorities) were given an advantage in the admissions process. Admission was based on a point system and all minority applicants were automatically given an extra point for being a minority.
Given my more recent experiences in the hiring of employees, I see no reason to suspect that things have changed much.

I believe this is true.

And statistics tells that "male has a better chance of promotion in a traditional female career tracks, but females do not have such a advantage in traditional male career track."

DustinShadbolt · Jun 7, 2014

My school had no being a male bonus. Now maybe when you get into the the job world they might give you a .000001% boost for being a male, but I doubt it.

Some programs may or may not give you a higher preference since you are a male.

Just work your *** off and it won't matter anyway. Earn your way. Don't be a "shoe-in".

MrChicagoRN, RN · Jun 7, 2014

I believe this is true.
And statistics tells that "male has a better chance of promotion in a traditional female career tracks, but females do not have such a advantage in traditional male career track."

please indicate the source of your quotation.

panic36 · Jun 8, 2014

Lol, I love when people call out statistics comments. Anyhow, lots of people complain that females aren't able to equally climb the ladder in corporate settings like males, but from my witnessing it is isn't true. I've seen plenty of highly dedicated and motivated women climb the ladder in male career tracks without a problem, and succeed at record time.

ThatBigGuy · Jun 12, 2014

Two things:

First, I recently met with a nurse hiring manager at the local hospital system for an assignment interview. Off the record, he stated the admission board at our nursing school first accepts all the male applicants who meet the requirements, then fills the rest of the spots with females. My independent "statistical analysis" shows our school is 31% male, well above the numbers stated earlier in this thread.

Secondly, he also said that if all things are equal, he'll hire a male over a female.

So, yes, at this particular school, there seems to be a male bias, if all things are equal.

I believe this is true.
And statistics tells that "male has a better chance of promotion in a traditional female career tracks, but females do not have such a advantage in traditional male career track."

please indicate the source of your quotation.

In class today, our professor gave us the stat that 57% of nurses in upper management are males. I don't have the source, but I don't believe our professor would lie to us about that.

systoly · Jun 17, 2014

in my own personal experience, no

i worked hard and diligently on getting into school

i was one of 9 male students of a class of 96 so about 9% males

i graduated one of 6 male students of a total of 62 grads

the instructors were kind and caring, but did not hesitate to

set you straight if needed, no matter who or what you were