Stereotyping male nurses have reached a disreputable level in my society and beyond, to the point that it started to affect the mindset and the efficacy of male nurses. An eye opener should be addressed on this topic in order to tackle and seal this "infringement". The use of both qualitative and quantitative data is necessary to acquire a stone based stand - interviews, surveys, content analysis, participant observation, secondary data analysis, case studies, meta-analysis, statistics and others. In addition, I hope the outcome of this topic would be to reach definitive answers and solutions rather than fashioning and escalating a new controversial topic.
I wrote this topic for an English research paper and I would like to hear from male and female nurses about this topic - any stories, quotes, personal point of views and real life situations would be helpful.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
It's a misunderstood position us Men Nurses have to maneuver by our female counterparts. For example, my complaint has always been that, when I have a female patient that needs a pelvic exam, BEFORE my patient voices an aversion to my presence, and before I have asked ( AND I DO ASK EVERY SINGLE TIME) them if they have a problem with my involvement, the female Nurses that I work with automatically step in, don't even ask or tell me first, and assume that the previous considerations have been addressed. THIS is number 1-hurtful, and number 2- unprofessional 3- makes Men Nurse continually struggle for being considered as professional as our female counterparts. I am forever misunderstood as "being insensitive to the female patient,"on this site. And most of the time I think it is a knee jerk reaction by the females, without first considering a generic approach to patient care, and then applying the principals of gender consideration.
I have yet to see my female counterparts even entertaining the thought of male patients having a preference. Stereotypical behavior, and it is unprofessional.
Did you ever consider that your co-workers are being considerate for many males in their experience would prefer to NOT do the pelvic.
They may think they are being helpful and are not saying you aren't competent. Saying... Thank you...but I'm cool with this... might go a long way for a better understanding
Did you ever consider that your co-workers are being considerate for many males in their experience would prefer to NOT do the pelvic.
They may think they are being helpful and are not saying you aren't competent. Saying... Thank you...but I'm cool with this... might go a long way for a better understanding
I was thinking this exact thing. I've seen several male colleagues go through the stress of false accusations by confused female patients.
I personally would not get within 100 yards of a pelvic, if I were a male nurse.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Let's all please take a moment of silence for the oppressed male. Amen.
Now, as a male, I am vehemently against the termination of silly humor used by my female colleagues. In fact, I'd like to see more of it. Nurse's week was a blast and I enjoyed every minute of it, every silly gift, every stupid posting, and every member joke.
Unlike exit96, I seem to have zero trouble helping female patients to the restroom. Heck just last week, I helped a 20 something female coworker who was having trouble inserting a foley into a 67 year old female patient - who happened to also be an RN. Both females in the situation were extremely grateful for my help and they didn't give a whit about my gender.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Well, if this is acceptable evidence. Look at all the BRAZEN eCards posted on Facebook this week during Nurses Week. MOST are from a female nurse angle. And then look at all the sexist stuff the women push. In your face "I've seen more memberes..." And so on. Let a Man Nurse try being that sexist. Hell I'm already on trial if I have a female patient that needs anything as simple as helping her to the restroom. I know I have ranted on this before, but some folks continue to deny the obvious. This has to stop!
"Brazen"? Exaggerate much? I am a female military vet who has seen picture after picture of mostly male veterans depicted in posters showing gratitude for service. Even the song "Proud to be an American" states gratitude for "the men who died and gave that right to me ....". Not once did it occur to me to rant and whine about it. I knew I was a valuable member of the military and just got past the stereotyping (I worked in an engine shop with like 100 men to about 5 of us females) by being very good at what I did and just getting it done without complaint. I was respected and treated well because I commanded that respect, not by complaining or feeling inferior (I never did). Like the poster above me says, "no one can make you feel inferior without your permission". It is true.
Respect is indeed earned, but never by playing victim in any situation. Rise above it.
I m an RN with an MSN and 20+ years exp. I worked and enjoyed a long career in a large hospital were a gain an excellent repute on and I moved up to Assistant Dir. I never felt discriminated towards. Here comes the but
then I took a faculty position when we were starting a family so I had time. Well I never would have believe what I experienced. My evaluations were always excellent weather students or peers. My courses stats are the only one that meet benchmark in all areas. When I tell u what has occurred you will wonder why I stayed. I've been told I would be fired over and over. Got told if I had a union rep present they would wear me down until I made mistake to fire me. I had items taken from my office and then called on carpet for loosing them.
I worked for years alone wit. A student load five times my female counterparts and was constantly chastised when I couldn't keep up . They finally hired someone wo any exp that took a year to get up and running then they differed to her even though I was the course Coor w 20 years exp. They gave the new faculty my clinical site and at this point I ve been so undermined I have no ability to manage the course she rule s.
I constantly struggle to keep my results above state avg and my satisfaction scores above benchmark. Which I do and I'm the only course that does.
This is best one
Also it was hardest to prove. But w time I m able to.
I had my medical record accessed at a local hospital and details communicated to rest of faculty.
A person known to me and others on faculty while working in the hospital communicated loads of protected info to a fellow faculty members. This was wors exp of my career. I was completely destroyed and left wo any recourse.
Things still continued after that
even after they knew this was done they had audacity to call me out and t me I could be replaced.
I ve been told my exams were stolen but not told who communicated the info. I ve been called and told a break in occurred in my office and they need to dispose of old tests that are in box on floor in my office.The break in was not true and the chair has been in my office multiple times wo permission fishing around.
That day when I told them to leave my office she told me when I arrived that when she saw my big set of keys she said "thought I was the person breaking in." Mind u no break in occurred.
This doesn't even hit on the disgusting discussions I need to sit through the sexual references to male anatomy. I was told I should teach bio they give BJ s (I don't know how to say it nicer) for better grade s . im no prude but at 35 hearing this from 55 plus yo women who are doing it to embarrass you Well the win let's just say that.
I ve always had friends at every other job I never had issue s w work till this place I was isolated w one bully in beginning. I was told I wasn't to last by woman who hired me. I was mis led on so many issue
This is a culture three chairs later With small repreves over nine years. I never realized the toll depression anxiety has caused
There is more damage then I ever realized. It was not till another male joined the nursing department and he started sharing his exp w me he described exactly what was still happening to me. He had chest pain anxiety, he can't do anything rite he was sick over it . That is the key we both always did well. In our jobs, we strived to do well we got our sence of self by doing well at work this place took that and threatened us constantly w
Loosing our jobs. I was in point of my life were we had two kids when I started and had four shortly after. I felt trapped I couldn't believe it was happening I always held out for a change and felt leaving was a failure until it got to the point I felt no job would have me BC I'm so incompetent. I'm up for tenure soon and I know people have told me to just leave just go or Sue your case is golden. I did collect evidence after first few years nothing goes wo being logged.
But I truly like teaching and when the time comes after tenure I will come out with this story I guess this is the leak. I will change things but I don't feel during is the answer. I don't feel fire w fire is it. Contact me if u wish I d discuss discrimination in Nursing Academics and my exp I have root causes theorized and hope to
Implement change beginning next year once I m protected by tenure. If they read the story at this point I'm certain they will have an idea it's me I hope the fact that I'm assuring them I will not sue hell I haven't yet help s some of them those undetected involved to see the huge issue
at hand. How their behavior effects people and if that doesn't work for them how someone could really expose this easily and how proof is not hard to get and record
BC I stayed and never made issue s they felt free to continue and got bolder. I recommend that to anyone trying to build a case.
I hope no one else exp this
it was soley BC I was a male
I was told the first Boss hated men she slowly undid my reputation and once she was removed I stayed but damage was so far done I became scapegoat for all. It was mobbing at its best I never forget when I read that definition I couldn't believe they had a name finally .
Im still not over this or out of it
one year till tenure. Then I m dedicating my self to making sure it doesn't happen to others first at my place then others
if u wish to help please contact me through this board.
So the stereotypes you would THINK you'd hear about male nurses are "effeminate," "gay," "wimpy," etc. However, it is not my experience to be stereotyped in these ways.
The more accurate stereotypes that are pinned on male nurses are "lazy" and "in it for the money." There is also a stereotype that male nurses see bedside nursing as a stepping stone to anesthesia school or administration.
I find the the latter stereotypes WAY MORE damaging and annoying than any others. I've had a few people subtly hint to me that they thought I was using bedside nursing jobs as "stepping stones" to something more "ambitious" like school or management, even though I have ZERO interest in either. I actually get very offended by that notion.
Males are not discriminated against. They are given preferential treatment in the nursing profession, from admission to nursing programs, to scholarship opportunities, and job applications. Males do not suffer in nursing.
Lies.
Males are discriminated against plenty in nursing. They stick out and are targeted by jealous women. They are also given heavier assignments and are asked to overexert themselves in lifts and turns all of the time.
Not really. This is what I have seen and continue to see where I work. I should speak up, but that is not as easy as it sounds when being the minority. I am ever so gently trying to approach and correct the behavior, probably will be an unsuccessful endeavor...Basically, I wouldn't want to be a patient in the ED for a trauma, males are stripped of their clothing, left open and exposed to everyone, as if some sort of exhibit. While females, are given extreme privacy to the point that it is almost embarrassing to be a male RN in the room. Heck, I've seen female trauma patients that don't even get their clothing removed after rolling a vehicle and having neck pain!! .."do you have to cut my yoga pants off? "No, we can leave them on..." Etc...Male patient, low back pain but came in walking, treated as trauma, stripped, clothing cut off...
Probably specific to my ED...but I am not convinced....
Absolutely true. Women patients are given way more concessions than men when it comes to asking for privacy.
Males are discriminated against plenty in nursing. They stick out and are targeted by jealous women. They are also given heavier assignments and are asked to overexert themselves in lifts and turns all of the time.
Let's all please take a moment of silence for the oppressed male. Amen.
Now, as a male, I am vehemently against the termination of silly humor used by my female colleagues. In fact, I'd like to see more of it. Nurse's week was a blast and I enjoyed every minute of it, every silly gift, every stupid posting, and every member joke.
Unlike exit96, I seem to have zero trouble helping female patients to the restroom. Heck just last week, I helped a 20 something female coworker who was having trouble inserting a foley into a 67 year old female patient - who happened to also be an RN. Both females in the situation were extremely grateful for my help and they didn't give a whit about my gender.
Stop playing the victim and start playing nurse.
I see. So by verbalizing the events that are witnessed and confirmed, I am whining? I'm glad for you and your love of double standards...not. I thought I was desiring to affect change. I haven't lied about any of what I have posted. Who are you to accuse me of having some other motive? What I see happens, and the guys that have the b*+lls to admit it are needed. Maybe you are just trying to "fit in."
Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
I know I'm still a new grad, having only worked about 6 months now, but was a tech for 3 years prior in the same hospital but so far not ONCE have I been discriminated against (in regards to being lazy, in it for the money, gay, wimpy, etc). Not even in my 2 years of nursing school did I ever come across any of that. The more common stereotype I've heard about us guys going into nursing is being gay though.
Having previously worked as a tech for 3 years and hearing fellow female nurses, I noticed male techs tend to get stereotyped a lot more often than male nurses. I've heard techs being called lazy behind their backs, snapped at, etc.
I also disagree with this.
Males are discriminated against plenty in nursing. They stick out and are targeted by jealous women. They are also given heavier assignments and are asked to overexert themselves in lifts and turns all of the time.
BUT, in the end, I believe it just depends on your facility/unit/staff. I'm guessing your unit is like this, but my unit is sure not like this at all, nor any of the other units in my hospital as far as I know from talking to other fellow male nurses. Each workplace is different, so one place may be more discriminated against more than the other, but I don't think it's enough to say "plenty".
Btw, some of you recent posters do realize you are quoting and responding to posts and posters from 1-2 years back right? Doesn't hurt to keep this topic alive though haha.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
They may think they are being helpful and are not saying you aren't competent. Saying... Thank you...but I'm cool with this... might go a long way for a better understanding