Do men have priority when considered for Nursing School?

nurselizk · Feb 23, 2008

Since I am male do I have priority to students who are bound to get pregnant, start a family and quit the profession?

Make sure the next time you apply that you include your sentiments on working women. It's bound to get you priority consideration.

EMTastic · Feb 23, 2008

Hi, my name is Jason and I am a prenursing student attending ASU. I have fulfilled a majority of my prerequisites and have scored generally well. I applied to the nursing program in December 2007 but am almost sure that I did not get accepted. My GPA was a 3.5 and my overall net score was a 75%. My question is, do I still have a chance of being accepted? Since I am male do I have priority to students who are bound to get pregnant, start a family and quit the profession?

I was just talking with a guy at work trying to get into school, and he said that they really look more into GPAs but If say you had an equivillant GPA of a female some colleges will choose you over a woman, to increase their demographic. But I don't know for sure, every college I've talked to about "what they look for" has been a different experience.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Feb 23, 2008

Hi, my name is Jason and I am a prenursing student attending ASU. I have fulfilled a majority of my prerequisites and have scored generally well. I applied to the nursing program in December 2007 but am almost sure that I did not get accepted. My GPA was a 3.5 and my overall net score was a 75%. My question is, do I still have a chance of being accepted? Since I am male do I have priority to students who are bound to get pregnant, start a family and quit the profession?

I would wait and see if you get accepted. If not, apply to another school. Men are not given priority unless the school needs to fill a minority quota, and men are considered a minority there. Your grades, prereqs and extracurriculars are usually what gets you in. You'd be surprised how many women manage to have families and work as nurses. Best of luck in your education!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2008

Since I am male do I have priority to students who are bound to get pregnant, start a family and quit the profession?

Um, seriously? 'Cause if it's still 1958 I really need to get a new hairstyle.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2008

In any given year, there are literally thousands of women, world wide, who do not get pregnant and start families, but I often recommend nursing to young women as one of the friendlier (relatively speaking) professions to working mothers. Nursing managers, nursing educators, and others who don't understand and accept the needs and circumstances of young women are doomed to unhappiness and frustration.

There may be programs with some sort of "affirmative action" for males, since we are pretty seriously underrepresented, but I'm not aware of any, and I would personally be embarrassed to ask, since there are still plenty of occupations where, even with affirmative action, we seem to be at a significant advantage, statistically. In fact, there are statistics that show men are paid somewhat better, even in nursing, although I suspect that has much to do with a tendency to pursue higher-paying specialties and to take less time off to have babies and such.

RNDave · Feb 23, 2008

OP,

Resisting the temptation to lecture regarding your last sentence, getting accepted has to do with GPA, test scores, your statement of purpose letter, and the admission interview. Just remember that women have a long and successful history in nursing.

Dave

playbanjogood · Feb 24, 2008

Thank you for your help. I know three RNs and only one of them is still working. I think working mothers have a great deal of responsibility and courage. Maybe I was a bit too blunt with my statement in my first thread. Im sorry if I offended you. However, please look at the facts. Women get pregnant. They often feel the responsibility to stay home and take care of their newborn. Just as fathers should feel the responsibility to provide for their families. I do understand that not everyone has an ideal situation. I know a few single mothers and they are some of the most courageous people I have known.

playbanjogood · Feb 24, 2008

1958 hairstyles are awsome!

karenG · Feb 25, 2008

Thank you for your help. I know three RNs and only one of them is still working. I think working mothers have a great deal of responsibility and courage. Maybe I was a bit too blunt with my statement in my first thread. Im sorry if I offended you. However, please look at the facts. Women get pregnant. They often feel the responsibility to stay home and take care of their newborn. Just as fathers should feel the responsibility to provide for their families. I do understand that not everyone has an ideal situation. I know a few single mothers and they are some of the most courageous people I have known.

I dont see a great career as a diplomat ahead........

if i follow your line of arguement, does that mean woman should not consider careers as they will get pregnant and leave to have children??

maybe try considering just how many woman are in nursing.. there are a few of us and most of us have children. men are still in the minority (at least here) and all potential nurses have to meet the same selection criteria. its not done on chromosones..

nurselizk · Feb 26, 2008

There are an enormous number of nurses not currently practicing, and most of them are women because of the demographics of the profession. The fact that they have children may be coincidental or their desire to spend time at home with their children may simply have been what pushed them over the edge, so to speak, in a profession where great working conditions are not the norm. It is illegal to take into account whether a job candidate has the potential to become pregnant when making a hiring decision--and that protection was hard-won, and a long time coming. I know of a nurse manager who hired only older women thinking that they wouldn't take time off for maternity leaves or sick children, only to find out that they took time off to care for elderly parents. I think having more men on the unit makes it a better work environment. And it's not because they can't get pregnant....

elizabells, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2008

It is illegal to take into account whether a job candidate has the potential to become pregnant when making a hiring decision--and that protection was hard-won, and a long time coming.

This is why HR is no longer allowed to ask "where do you see yourself in five years?" Not to say some of them don't still ask, but you technically don't have to answer them.