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

Nurses Men

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Hi, I am starting a BS program in nursing in the fall, and I was wondering if male nurses are frowned upon or disrespected in anyway by patients, other nurses, MAs or DRs? Some older folks(such as my grandparents) struggle with the idea , beause I guess it has been traditional for women to be nurses.I am a guy so this is important to me. lots of responses would be awesome!!!!!

Well there are many personality types among men nurses, but the axis I'm interested in stretches from "know-it-all" (translated "better than you") to "really likes teaching and helping people" (translated "we're both in this together"). I realize that may sound strange, I mean it's not a traditional polarity of any kind, but in looking at pt reactions to men nurses, that's the main difference I'm seeing. Now nursing is traditionally a job for women, so we'd expect to see the full spectrum of personality types among women nurses. But because men who choose nursing are atypical in their choice, it may be that we see the entry of a more narrow spectrum of personality types among men. Just my idle theorizing.

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Specializes in ICU/ED.

:) as a RN with dual degrees one in educationa and the other in nursing i understand your musing. teaching both patients and other nurses new to the career is enjoyable. i find that my patients listen more intently to the subject because i can bring in both personal and life experiences. so i don't feel or think men as nurses lose respect.

nursing in the civil war was exclusively male because the thinkng was it was too horrendous and strenuous for the fair sex. the early monks were also primary caregivers in medicine and somewhere along the way men were eased out and it became stricltly female.

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Specializes in community, rehab, detention centres.

I've been nursing in Australia for 33 years and have worked with male RN's both on the wards and in the community and have found no difference in the way the patients feel when being cared for by a male. In fact in the community it can be a bonus with older reserved gentlemen that find the thought of a "young girl!" seeing them without clothing. you go for it and be the best you can be!!! Enjoy your career.

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Specializes in ortho,med-surg,neuro,CQI\LTC,homehealth,.

My husband and I are both nurses. And I can speak from personal experience that he gets more respect and attention from patients(especially female so watch out!)nurses(especially female again watch out!)doctors and other healthcare professionals. We are corporate nurses with extensive health care backgrounds-Hospital,LTC,Homehealth etc. He also receives better pay(trust me I am not complaining!) I really don't think that you will be getting strange looks from family members once your paychecks start rolling in!!!! Good Luck and many Blessings to you and to all other males considering a career in nursing.:nuke:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
Well there are many personality types among men nurses, but the axis I'm interested in stretches from "know-it-all" (translated "better than you") to "really likes teaching and helping people" (translated "we're both in this together"). I realize that may sound strange, I mean it's not a traditional polarity of any kind, but in looking at pt reactions to men nurses, that's the main difference I'm seeing. Now nursing is traditionally a job for women, so we'd expect to see the full spectrum of personality types among women nurses. But because men who choose nursing are atypical in their choice, it may be that we see the entry of a more narrow spectrum of personality types among men. Just my idle theorizing.

I've worked with several male nurses and have seen the full spectrum of personalities that you refer to....some real know it all jerks, some just jerks, some kind and compassionate with both staff and patients, some just get the work done, some like to visit and gossip, etc. In short, no different than the female nurse personalities I've encountered!

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Specializes in aged care.

What a refreshing thread.

I must admit, that although I respect the nursing profession, as a life-saving profession, I was (and still am to a degree) apprehensive on the way that I will be viewed in the workplace.

I decided to enter into this field, for many reasons, mostly patient care, but also very importantly

to be able to one day support a family, provide my children with stability (which i never had from my father),

give them a solid Catholic education, and give them the best start in life, and continue with their development,

providing them with the required financial support that my father was never able to provide.

my mother is a nurse, and she has worked to the bone, while my father was unable to hold down a job

for the past 20 years, without any visible signs of incapacitation.

This has aggrieved me extremely, and has led me to be determined to provide for my children, the male role

model that my father was never able to give me.

I was often ashamed of my father's aloofness, his lack of direction, courage, determination, bowing to his

wife at each and every.

Although I love him dearly for sticking around, i also feel a little ashamed, but determined, to give my kids

a real male role model.

A real family provider.

For my kids, to have a solid foundation, and if they decide to go in whichever direction they decide to go,

be it orientation or whatever, I will be the loving father (and loving and SUPPORTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, huband to wife) to him or her. they will always be my little

children, supported financially, faithfully, even though they may decide to be in relationship that is against

my principles.

For me love is more important, and the ideals of fatherhood, drive me.

Nevertheless i still have misgivings and apprehensions about how i will be stereotyped, i guess i could cope with

it (having a few lifelong gay friends), i am apprehensive.

Could anybody please provide me with some insight, opinions, perspective (maybe i am totally wrong in my view....please put me in my place if i am).

How are men treated in the male profession?

what are the prospects of being able to raise a family, provide for them financially.

is it really such a massive psychological burden being a male nurse?

I volunteer for the local ambulance service, and am supported by a group of other males, who are both younger

and older than me (both family men), which is heartening to me.

having said, i would not hesitate to being treated by a visibly gay friendly male or female, as i am gay friendly, as long as he or she would be professional, and a credit to their profession.

I am commencing my nursing degree in few months, an intensive course 5 days a week. 3 days in the classroom

2 days in the field.

A bit apprehensive.

please advise, am i totally wrong?

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Specializes in Critical Care (MICU, CICU, TNCC),.

For my kids, to have a solid foundation, and if they decide to go in whichever direction they decide to go,

be it orientation or whatever, I will be the loving father (and loving and SUPPORTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, huband to wife) to him or her. they will always be my little

children, supported financially, faithfully, even though they may decide to be in relationship that is against

my principles.

Nevertheless i still have misgivings and apprehensions about how i will be stereotyped, i guess i could cope with

it (having a few lifelong gay friends), i am apprehensive.

what are the prospects of being able to raise a family, provide for them financially.

is it really such a massive psychological burden being a male nurse?

having said, i would not hesitate to being treated by a visibly gay friendly male or female, as i am gay friendly, as long as he or she would be professional, and a credit to their profession.

I am commencing my nursing degree in few months, an intensive course 5 days a week. 3 days in the classroom

2 days in the field.

A bit apprehensive.

please advise, am i totally wrong?

Yep, you are totally wrong. Male nurses are not stereotyped as gay and who cares anyway? Most of the male nurses i know are not gay. Male nurses are more often steotyped as Drs. That THAT is an insult...LOL. You will be able to provide for your family and that is most important.

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Specializes in aged care.

......

Thank u....this is very supportive.

Bless

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Specializes in Critical Care (MICU, CICU, TNCC),.
To add to the response, do not get me wrong, I love nursing it is my passion. However I would love to see a female go into a primarily "male" profession and see these results......

Prior to nursing I was a welder. I was the only woman on most jobs. The real chauvinist pigs made it difficult but I was reliable, made myself indispensible, and those who worked with me understood that I knew what I was doing. I ended up running jobs. Still, I made less than the men and was abused at every turn. I believe that men in nursing have it easier than women in male dominated professions.

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Specializes in aged care.

there you go.....

another stereotypical theory debunked.

gratulacje (polish for congratulations)

this forum is getting better and better.

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yes. I work in Psych and this is something I see every day. Patients and staff respect male nurses more than female nurses. oh yes ...

Good to know, I am looking into my MRN in psych...

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Specializes in Home Care.

I'm a 48 year old woman and I have yet to figure out where this so-called stereotypical gay male nurse idea came from. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard of male nurses being stereotyped as being gay.

So stop worrying about it.

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