Current Male CNA/Patient Sitter & future nursing student

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I've just started my journey in healthcare and I have to say I love it. I did home health care for a year to get my experience, got a job at the county hospital (I live in Fort Lauderdale) as a patient sitter, and just waiting to be cross trained on the floor as a PCA. I'm going to take my HESSI at some point this semester and get my application in for next year for nursing school to start in May.

I always love hearing how current nurses started their journey or current PCA/CNA's who are just trying to make it and move up in the world. Share your stories! Also open to hear any advice!

As a side note, I feel like there's a still a stigma with being male and wanting to go into nursing (or maybe that's just my family...) I'm actually looking to earn a doctorate in nursing or considering medical school.

I hate when I tell people what I do and the first thing they say is "oh you have to clean people's poop??"

Yes... But not always....

I always viewed my job as helping those who can't help themselves, and i always imagine myself in whatever situation my patients are going through, and how I would want to be treated, and I deliver that same care. Isn't that what it's all about? (Guess that was more of a vent, oops lol...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Correction, I am still doing home health with one client twice a week and I work per diem at the hospital. School full time. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I definitely feel that there is a stigma for men pursuing nursing, but that is slowly changing.

I am 21 year old male working full-time as a patient care tech in an intensive care unit in New Orleans, LA. I am also floated sometimes to work in the Emergency Department, patient sitter, being a patient care tech in telemetry or med sure. I am very flexible.

I am in process of applying to nursing school right now. I am trying to decide between an associate degree or a bachelor degree. I will hopefully start SPRING 2017:no:, But I am making it work.

It is funny, I am also considering med school, while at the same time considering CRNA school. i think having a bachelor in nursing will give me the ability to make that decision once i have make bachelor degree as long as I take the necessary pre reqs. Because at this point, I am clueless.

I think from my experience working in a hospital, men tend to work more in critical care areas. Everyone has been so supportive of me and the nurses I work with love teaching me the reasoning behind some stuff. I have learned an incredible amount of information from working in the ICU because I am always asking questions.

Best of luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

I hate when I tell people what I do and the first thing they say is "oh you have to clean people's poop??"

People who say that really have no idea what nurses do. Before I got into it I pretty much had the same feedback but look up youtube when The View was discussing that nurse at the Ms USA contest and it shows you even some educated women have no idea what a nurse does.

I am a male nurse for 1 year now and as far as working with female nurses, most love us on the floor cause we think and react differently. Yes you will get the occasional pt who does not want a male even some men just brush it off, the more confident you are the better it gets and 1 year into it female patients hardly even care as long as you a good nurse and know what you doing. We are a lot more accepted that even a few years ago oh and the paycheck is not bad either... I graduated nursing school at age 38 .last yr my first yr as a nurse i just made the most compared to all jobs i ever had in my lifetime. If you start now you will be set by the time you in your 30s go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think there's a big of a stigma as you'd think these days for men. The idea of male nurses being weird is as dated as the idea that all female nurses wear little hats and short skirts and hospitals are filled with 'candy stripers'. As for the poop thing, people will say that whether you're a man or a woman. Besides, how's that any different than being a parent and changing your kid's diaper? Big deal. Or to put it properly, would you rather wipe a butt or flip tacos (lol) for 1/10th the money? :p

Just do your thing like you own it. And be prepared for people to think that you're the doctor. I hate that. That's really an insult to women, actually, to assume the man is a doctor and the woman is a nurse. Oh well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cath/EP lab, CCU, Cardiac stepdown.

I'm male and I'm a nurse. Haven't had any stigma really. Now the poop question is asked by everyone who doesn't know what nurses do regardless whether you're a male or female. There really aren't any barriers for a male going for their nursing career in where I'm from. There will be those patients who prefer one gender over another but that goes both ways. I've had old ladies who prefer a female nurse and I've had psych patients who would prefer a male nurse.

One thing that does get annoying is when everyone asks you why didn't you become a doctor. They always think it's a compliment but they also don't realize that it's demeaning to the nursing profession. Nurses aren't people who couldn't hack it as a doctor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't had any stigma except from old patients,"Youre not a doctor?" or the "{while on phone} Hold on, my doctor just came in". Or sometimes i get the questions about why I am not a doctor from people outside of healthcare. If youre considering medical school, look into a PA program as well as that may fit you. Lots of options out there. If I had to do it again, I would have gone PA; still might.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

In my region, men in nursing is normalized. Whereas with my experience in rural areas, nursing is very much so female dominated. I have preferred working in environments that are more diverse

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Hey good for you! I too started as a CNA. I'd love to see ALL Nurses start as a CNA in a busy unit, for X amount of time. It will, in my opinion make you a better Team player, if not a better Nurse.

As far as stigma, I haven't seen that, and I live in a rural area. People have misconceptions, and things they like to joke about, but I haven't seen any Man that would seriously look down on another man for being an RN, that would require a certain level of idiocy, but I am sure they are out there. What I personally witness, but I believe that those involved don't see it, is sexism. I won't give details, but it is prevalent where I work, and maybe it's not as bad other places.

I was very excited to become an RN, and am still proud to be, but I have been doing long enough to see that there are some issues...as with any other vocation one may choose.

Go for it Man! We need you out here in the trenches!

RNator

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm just returning to this site after several years, I've been reading posts but haven't logged in in a while!

First off, thanks everyone for your replies! I did eventually go to nursing in school in fall 2017 at Chamberlain university and graduated this past December and took my NCLEX Jan. 15, passed I'm officially an RN with a BSN!!! I will be starting on a Medsurg floor at a hospital that I've been working at for over 4 years and I'm excited and blessed!

As for the stigma, it's still there but I've gotten over it. Even after graduation, I got people asking me, "So whats next? You're gonna continue and become a doctor right?" I just tell them I'll see where life takes me. I'm damn proud to be a nurse and I know what I had to go through these past 4 years to become one! In other words, I'm so proud to be part of the profession and could care less what others think anymore!

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for sharing your story. I also became a CNA in 2015 and am now in my final semester of nursing school.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

To jc0322 & Dean - congratulations and good luck as you both advance in your career and educational paths.

4
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion