Do male nurses recieve as much respect from patients as female ones do?INPUT IS GREAT

swiftdr · Jun 10, 2009

I occasionally get the Doctor comment from patients and families and I quickly but politely correct them. I interact with physician and other HCP staff as a colleague but I work in an ICU where we work together with a small critical care team where everyone knows the others' strengths and weaknesses very well. It shouldn't matter what your gender is, it should matter what your knowledge, skill and compassion is. While I am respectful of nursing's origins, I am tired of the white dresses and caps vision of nursing. I came to this profession with a wealth of critical care knowledge from paramedicine and my intent is to apply that knowledge for the best possible patient and family outcome. I shouldn't get paid more than a similarly experienced female colleague and if I was I would complain. With 7 % male nurses vs. 93 % females I don't think there's much risk of it being over-run with males. I can not give you good reasons why males reflect a higher than average number of management positions, but I just resigned from a management position to go back to the bedside and anyone who wants my old job, male or female, can have it ...

goodgrief · Jun 11, 2009

As a male I feel that other nurses, MD's, and patients listen to me and respect me, but I feel that they listen to me/respect me more because I'm knowledgeable than because I'm a male. Just think before speaking or acting and learn as much as possible and become the best nurse you can be.

rnwayne · Jun 11, 2009

I've been a "male nurse" for 27 years now and have seen this issue change over the years. I do think my age and experience has also played a role in how I'm viewed. I've seen many young nurses both genders questioned if they knew what they were doing.

Gender bias isn't as strong as it used to be with most people. It's absolutely true that MD'S will show their dark side to female nurses more often than with males. I saw a surgeon just last year walk into preop and proceed to take one of my peers apart. I interrupted him with the info that it was my patient. He stopped cold and told me to be more careful next time.

I think the important side of this issue is that each of us must be sensitive to the needs of patient's, family, MD's and other nurses. I've worked with female nurses who were men haters due to bad relationships. It took a little work to earn their respect. Remember we all come from different cultural backgrounds and have different experiences. We don't easily put aside the cultural bias we were raised with. It would be great if we were all treated with respect all the time. That won't happen in my lifetime or yours. Be very slow to become angry.

I don't know if I'm paid more than my peers and honestly don't want to know, but I try to be the kind of nurse everyone wants to show respect to.

Kevin RN08 · Jun 12, 2009

This may come off as mean or stereotypical, but when comparing a new male nurse to a new female nurse frequently the males don't get caught up in the drama of the floor, whereas the female is worried about whether others like her.

Nursing is my second career and I can say the same was true in the first (Navy) as well. And remember the numbers are "stacked" in the men's favor in the Navy.

At any rate, IMO from my observations and experience, men don't put as much emphasis on being "liked" as women do and therefore they tend to get more respect. Granted this isn't always the case, but a general statement.

Saúde · Jun 12, 2009

" Re: Do male nurses recieve as much respect from patients as female ones do?INPUT IS G
Ahem...
Yep, like I said...patriarchy is alive & well in the nursing profession these days.
The stacked deck that you refer to is an old one.

Sounds to me like you're blaming men because of human nature. Which is quite humorous to read. Or, are you just mad a God? Maybe you should of thought a little more before you ate that apple in the garden. :) Take care.

RN Randy · Jun 12, 2009

Wow, just skimming this thread...

Looks like it should have been titled "Are you a punk, peckerhead, or both? Please let us know!"

Sheesh. I'll tell ya something, it's "guys" that give us men a bad name.

To the OP,

See all those punk posts? Those are the people you don't want to be if you want respect. Those guys mistake people's flat indifference or preference not to 'engage' a cocky punk in dispute, for respect.

I'm middle age, average Christ-following, ever-so-human, laugh-at-everyone-and-everything kind of family man. I've never had a real problem at work because I make sure I know my job, and always offer respect to most of my colleagues. (There will always be a few that you just get tired of hearing, and write off.)

In the medical field, you'll be respected for who you are and what kind of job you do, no matter your gender. I've never worked for a place that offers salaries independently; meaning "here is the pay for this job, take it or leave it.". when dealing with hospitals and organizations. It may be different for private docs and what-not, I dunno.

Anyway, the point is, do a good job and you will have no troubles. Offer respect, be respectful; generally receive it in return.

Usually co-workers and patients are your friends and appreciate you.

It's the bad apples, crazy families and most of administration that make you want to pop the top section of an IV pole and start bashing skulls, (much like any other job I assume). LOL.

dtheman20 · Jun 12, 2009

I too had this concern, which was increased during my first day on a OB post partum. Out of the 30+ patients, and 2 deliveries I witnessed, not once did I get the sense that a patient felt uncomfortable. It all depends on how you present yourself as a professional, caring, empathetic nurse.

Saúde · Jun 12, 2009

Wow, just skimming this thread...
Looks like it should have been titled "Are you a punk, peckerhead, or both? Please let us know!"
Sheesh. I'll tell ya something, it's "guys" that give us men a bad name.
To the OP,
See all those punk posts? Those are the people you don't want to be if you want respect. Those guys mistake people's flat indifference or preference not to 'engage' a cocky punk in dispute, for respect.

Since I was the previous threader I wasn't sure if you were addressing this to me? If so let me clarify. What I said was a joke, to be taken as a joke. Whereas your comments appears to be aggressive, confrontational, and intolerant of others opinions. Just because a person doesn't fluff their words with rays of sunshine, doesn't necessarily mean they don't mean well or aren't entitled to their legitimate opinion concerning a certain thread. If this wasn't directed towards me then my regards. FYI - I'll put my performance rating from my last 6 years by my superiors up against anyone's performance rating on this website. From my perspective it's a little humorous when I hear some people talking about the inequalities of respect that some people receive. From my experience if you are the best at what you do then it doesn't matter what sex you are. Take care.

ExtraShotNoWhip · Jun 13, 2009

Sorry, I did not mean to come off as a man hater...lol. I certainly am not. I think having both genders in any job field is a great thing. We learn from everyone's differences. strengths, and weakness. Not just between gender but people in general. I of course am still learning, and always will be, hence the name. I do not gossip or get into the floor drama, too busy for that nonsense. I just get upset when is see "boys club" stuff going on.

Peggyfaye · Jun 13, 2009

Sounds to me like you're blaming men because of human nature. Which is quite humorous to read. Or, are you just mad a God? Maybe you should of thought a little more before you ate that apple in the garden. :) Take care.
.

..."you're blaming men because of human nature."

What a leap you take sir.

Your other comments, ie: "mad @ God"; 'before you ate that apple...".

come off as very strange.

It's been good to read a number of the posts from the men in nursing here.

Sensitive, well thought-out & expressed...helpful.

I thank you for your input on the subject of this post.

I appreciate the men in life ... personal & professional relationships.

They've been invaluable in helping me understand what is going on at work right now .

Inequality in the workplace because of one's sex.

More than 30 yrs. I've worked as an RN.

Being born female 54 yrs ago has been a real education in & of itself.

Equal rights don't feel like a joke to me.

Being a "joker" in the workplace is a way that some express anger.

It's different than having a great sense of humor, which is healthy rather than destructive.

"take care" :wink2: too

JomoNurse · Jun 14, 2009

i think you're at at advantage if you're a male in nursing. you definitely get more respect as a male. i've had to call surgeons several times at ungodly hours that were notorious for yelling and getting upset. they have always been very pleasant and respectful and even thanked me for my calls at times. i just think society in general gives more weight to male opinions than they do females (sadly). I work in orthopedics... anyone familiar with ortho knows how angry the surgeons can be. one ortho doc came onto the floor and was mad as hell, asked to speak to the nurse in charge of a certain patient, and as soon as i walked up and he saw i was male, he calmed down and talked to me politely. it's sad but true.

theoldsicilian · Jun 14, 2009

i have found no loss of respect from my colleagues or patients. i recently was suprised wit a basket of goodies from a nursing unit. they were very appreciative of my always responding to the unit when help with iv's was needed. they said it's your positive attitude. the only trouble i had with no respect was when i was in nursing school with the instructors. this was the 80's and early 90's. they didn't seem to care for the only male student.