Differences between male ER nurses and Females?

TraumaInTheSlot · Jul 4, 2004

I am not insulted, i'm a member of many types of message boards, and i realize that people like that are looking for attention, and they are not going to get it from me. no one scares me! :)

i always say this, that everyone of us excellent male nurses was most likely trained by some excellent female nurse! i know i was.

TraumaInTheSlot · Jul 4, 2004

I am not insulted, i'm a member of many types of message boards, and i realize that people like that are looking for attention, and they are not going to get it from me. no one scares me! :)

i always say this, that everyone of us excellent male nurses was most likely trained by some excellent female nurse! i know i was.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 4, 2004

Hi trauma in the slot! I've been an ER RN (female) for the last 8 years (I've been female a lot longer than that though)!!! Our level one ED is about 40% male, 60% female. I don't notice any differences that I can identify as a male-thing or female-thing. We have some excellent male AND female RNs. At this point, I just want some excellent RNs - I don't care about the plumbing. Nice to have you here!

Trauma Columnist · Jul 4, 2004

Hi trauma in the slot! I've been an ER RN (female) for the last 8 years (I've been female a lot longer than that though)!!! Our level one ED is about 40% male, 60% female. I don't notice any differences that I can identify as a male-thing or female-thing. We have some excellent male AND female RNs. At this point, I just want some excellent RNs - I don't care about the plumbing. Nice to have you here!

InTheBlood · Jul 4, 2004

The men generally have more soreness in their backs!

InTheBlood · Jul 4, 2004

The men generally have more soreness in their backs!

veetach · Jul 5, 2004

Ohhhh dear, please guys dont throw things at me, ok???

I work with a few male nurses, and I love working with them. They are all (well most) willing to jump right on in and help whenever needed, and they are great nurses. BUT I have noticed that most of the guys do not multi-task very well.

They tend to focus on one thing at a time, which makes it difficult to work alongside them because I am thinking about 20 different things all at the same time. Does this make sense? They are great nurses, but I have heard many female RNs spouting off about the guys because they "only do one thing at a time"....

Dixiedi · Jul 5, 2004

I would much rather work with guys. You don't have so much of that "sensitive to the needs of female co-workers" crap.

Quit your crying, leave your sympathy at home (refine empathy, that's as far as you should go) and for God's sake, all (nearly all) females have a menses, I don't care if you've got killer cramps! I don't care if you got dumped, you obviously didn't have what he wanted... and no, you don't have to give it up if you don't want to, but if that's all he wants, he doesn't have to stay with you either!

Oh I could go on for days about the benefits of working with men. However, the discussion was more skill oriented and to that end I (never worked ER) have to say I've not really noticed any difference in the skill/caring from the guys. However, guys are better at keeping their emotional reponse at empathy and not falling into sympathy.

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jul 5, 2004

Being a male ER nurse, I have noticed that every now and then, some real jerks who are known for treating nurses bad tend to chill out when I or another maile nurse is around. And acutally change into being polite. Now this same doctor may walk away 10 minutes later and yell at a female nurse, that is when I get in their face. I realize women RN's don't need males fighting their battles for them, but c'mon girls I am old fashion and really care for my coworker's feelings. Very few doctors have squared up with me because they know I will argue and fight them over nursing issues. I just hate to see professional people be so rude.

I think male and female nurses working in the ER ...is the best place for them to be. ....Hey we need the combo in the ER>>

Medic946RN · Jul 5, 2004

I agree, I don't multi-task well either, I prioritize very well. Thereby decreasing the amount that I have to multitask. But I found as male in the ED it sort of fell to me to be the "enforcer" If knew what I look like you'd never pick me to be the staff muscle. But as the only male on the shift I would get politely asked to "have speaks" with recalcitrant patients and of course whenever someone didn't work and play well with others, I was in on the restraining party. Coming from an EMS background it was strange. Not that any of the female RN's couldn't hold their own in scuffle. Some of them could put a hurtin on yah if you gave em a reason. I just found it interesting that profession dominated by women would be the ones who look for the "big strong man" (of which I am neither big, or strong, or even handsome) Other than that anomaly, I'd say there was no difference in pt care or the way the physicians collaborated with us.

bobbiesal · Jul 6, 2004

OK, bite my head off, BUT...

Last time I went to the ER (3 years ago, I only go if I can't walk because I'm in so much pain & can't diagnose myself OR I'm bleeding profusely OR something's broken....)

I was told to walk to the bathroom to give a urine specimen (never mind I arrived in a wheelchair because HEY - I COULDN'T WALK CUZ I WAS IN SO MUCH FLIPPIN' PAIN!)...then my nurse came in the room, "Mark's my name, nursing's my game!" I groaned. I had told my husband I'd be nice...so, I was nice...even when Mark didn't take the arm I gave him to start the IV, because...'he saw a vein,' & proceeded to give me a 2 inch high hematoma..."ooopsie," he said, & was able to easily get in the vein I told him to go for in the first place...

Thank God someone else took over for him so I had at least 30 minutes of compassion...

Sorry...but I've worked the ER as well, have had experience with men & women, & a lot of men just don't like being 'told' what to do... even when they're not being told, simply asked....

My two cents...

Bobbie Salveson MS RN CPNP

ERHack · Jul 6, 2004

Hmmm, there have been nights when there is only one or two female RNs on our crew. We have a nice mix of characters, as every ED Im sure has. To tell you the truth, I cant say that there is a difference I can notice with females vs males (besides the obvious). Every one as an individual has a different personality, some strong, some more laid back. Its impossible to attribute that difference to sex. (maybe lack of hehe) Hmmm, is this answer beginning to appear a bit TOO Politically correct? oh well....

As for the more compassionate argument...well, I'll tell ya. I have seen plenty of women who seem quite cold with their patients. I have been thanked many a time by my own patients for my caring and attentive manner of practice, especially after taking over from a female nurse. Oddly enough, I find that some female nurses are actually harder on their female patients for being wimpy or too sensitive to pain or discomfort ("your pain is STILL a TEN!?!?) Anyhow, my position is this. We are supposedly trained to be non-judgemental and empathetic to our patients. I say we should give eachother as coworkers at least that much. After all, when the crap hits the fan, who's got your back?