Do women find male nurses attractive?

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Hi

So I'm a young, single, heterosexual male nurse, and I'm well aware that I'm somewhat of a minority, as most nurses are female, and the ones that aren't, are often gay (yes, I know that is just a silly stereotype, and there's nothing wrong with being gay, but that's beside my point).

Thing is, I'm not even remotely feminine- I have a beard, I listen to heavy metal, I climb mountains, I work out, etcetera. But I get paranoid that most people probably perceive me as a little "girly" or "possibly homosexual", when I talk about being a nurse. I feel especially insecure about my masculinity when I'm walking home wearing my uniform past some heavy set dudes doing roadworks or construction or something "manly". Sometimes, I've even lied about studying nursing at uni- I've sometimes said I'm studying engineering, to seem more masculine.

I'm not ashamed of being a nurse- I'm damn proud! But I feel a little insecure due to the silly non-masculine stereotypes associated with my career choice. I'm also single and looking for a girlfriend, but I sense that women might think I'm gay, or unmanly, due to my profession. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

Anyway, my main question is- ladies, do you find male nurses attractive? Do you like the idea of a man taking care of you? Or does it seem unmanly and unattractive?

Regards - Sykadia

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Personal experience- a lot of male nurses I've met have been gay, and it's well-known as a stereotype

"most nurses are female, and the ones that aren't, are often gay"

Your anecdotal observations are not evidence.

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It's curious to me that you're so nervous about coming across as gay, if you aren't gay.

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Specializes in Critical care.
As, perhaps, they should. Any post by a nurse that proclaims, in advance, his maleness, I view as in need of education (kindly answer) or a take-down as to the insignificance of his male-ness (honest, viewed-as-brutal answer). As has been stated by PP, gender enters into my interaction with my peers NEVER. OP's un-documented declaration that most male nurses are gay deserves the honest answer.

And his request to hear from female nurses as to whether they "like" their care as given by male nurses is beyond inappropriate, bordering on obscene.

I think you are unfairly sexualizing his use of 'like' when another interpretation could easily be made. I personally read his 'like' as in permit, consent, approve, allow, etc.

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Specializes in ICU, trauma.

My boyfriend is also a nurse and i wouldn't have it any other way!! Every time he puts on his scrubs i gush a lil bit. :cheeky:

Also-He rides his motorcycle to work...likes to fish and hunt...has a beard on and off. Not even remotely feminem.

Actually out of all the male nurses i've had the pleasure of working with have all been straight, so im not sure where this stereotype comes from??

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Specializes in Critical care.

OP, I unconsciously elected to measure my own 'manliness' by a different yardstick many years ago, but I understand that not everyone is like me. Much of my history and interests put me squarely in the 'man's man' realm, but I thoroughly enjoy challenging that social construct when something atypical suites me. I learned to sew to fix my damaged outdoor gear. I've gone around in public with painted nails courtesy of my wife and daughter. I think it's cool that one of my sons likes rainbows. I excelled in my OB/GYN rotations in school and in caring for laboring moms or for kids in my short years in ED. Blah, Blah, Blah. My comfort within my own skin is what makes me manly.

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As, perhaps, they should. Any post by a nurse that proclaims, in advance, his maleness, I view as in need of education (kindly answer) or a take-down as to the insignificance of his male-ness (honest, viewed-as-brutal answer). As has been stated by PP, gender enters into my interaction with my peers NEVER. OP's un-documented declaration that most male nurses are gay deserves the honest answer.

It makes me so angry and frustrated that we live in a world where people think they have to make a show of gender stereotypes to prove themselves, especially with the idea that it relates in ANY way to sexual orientation. Like OP, I have a beard (though probably not as luxurious as his) and I climb mountains. I'm still 100% woman.

I'd say about 1/3 of the male nurses & techs I've worked with have been gay (and the only 2 men in my nursing class were) but I certainly don't meet a male healthcare professional and think "You must be gay."

I agree that the question about whether we like men taking care of us is gross, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt for the moment that it was bad wording that did not convey his intent. For the record, I will be a women-caregivers-only patient, but it's a personal choice and for most patients I've encountered, it's not a big deal.

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To get back to the core of OP's questioning, let's take a look at nursing as a career. Flexible scheduling, solid income, science-based, room for career and educational growth in any number of ways... A great nurse has to be an intelligent, thoughtful person with social skills to boot. Yes, I find those things very attractive in a partner.

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Owning who you are is attractive. But any one person is only going to appeal to a limited number of people, no one attracts them all. Not everyone loves even Zac Efron, even since he grew up *swoon* Crazy, right?

I'm a conventional looking and acting kind of a gal but not everyone is attracted to me. But I only need one, at a time.

Same for you.

Just find yourslf and and stay true, the rest will work itself out.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I can barely make it in the door it rains bras and underwear from the other nurses just throwing themselves at me.

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Specializes in Critical care.
Owning who you are is attractive. But any one person is only going to appeal to a limited number of people, no one attracts them all. Not everyone loves even Zac Efron, even since he grew up *swoon* Crazy, right?

I'm a conventional looking and acting kind of a gal but not everyone is attracted to me. But I only need one, at a time.

Same for you.

Just find yourslf and and stay true, the rest will work itself out.

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I think you are unfairly sexualizing his use of 'like' when another interpretation could easily be made. I personally read his 'like' as in permit, consent, approve, allow, etc.

The questions OP asks are

1. "do you find male nurses attractive?"

2. "Do you like the idea of a man taking care of you?"

3. "Or does it seem unmanly and unattractive?"

So that leads me to believe that he thinks women would want a man to "take care of her" because she thinks he is manly and attractive. Or that she wouldn't because he was unmanly/unattractive. That is, frankly, gross (IMO). I doubt any patient wants to think that the nurse caring for them (showering them, providing pericare, putting in a catheter) is thinking of them sexually. I want my nurse (of either sex) to be thinking of my medical needs and not whether or not I am sexy or he/she is sexy...

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

being a "male" nurse helps me pick up chicks lmao :up:

For real though, just be yourself, and if someone dislikes you for being a "male" nurse, tell them to shove it where the sun don't shine, there's only 3-4 billion other options.

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