Does being called a male nurse annoy you?

[freefalle]

I don't know why but being called a male nurse annoys me. You meet people, or people you know or whatever "so you are a male nurse" do you call females in law enforcement a "female cop" or "female firefighter"....

I'm a nurse, who is male. I am a professional, I am good at what I do. A nurse is a nurse just like a cop is a cop or a firefighter is a firefighter etc. regardless of their gender. I'm just saying.....

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

No one has ever called me that although my friends call me Focker due to an uncanny resemblance. I agree that anyone who says that is making a distinction though. We must soldier on...

[bigtim]

at least its a confirmation

unless you take offense to that

[caliotter3]

As long as they don't refer to you as the bedpan handler I think you're ahead.

[stressednurse70]

If a female is allowed to speak in here ... :) I do agree. There has been a trend over the years to be more PC in all jobs, but espeically ones that had been gender specific. Examples would be policeman to police officer, fireman to fire fighter, postman to mail carrier, etc. I hope you hang in there and gently correct folks. Education is the only way things change.

[BeentheredonethatRN]

There is too much other stuff jumping off to even think about it.

[bluefabian]

I am annoyed but usually let it pass. Unless I want to make a statement.

Calling us as 'male nurses' is like describing another species of nursing.

I was once suggested by a friend to share my experience as a 'male nurse' on paper - and I was like 'what experience?". Only those that pertains to nursing!

And I told her this - there is no male nurse, just a nurse who happens to have balls and a member.

[remifentanil]

Does not bother me at all being called a male nurse.....For those of you whom it bothers.. which part do you object to... male? or nurse?

Funny.. in my speciality I do not think this has ever happened.

[elkpark]

A colleague of mine at my first job out of school (>25 years ago) used to get that a lot -- the "Oh, are you a male nurse??" He used to respond (v. pleasantly) with, "No, I take care of females, too."

[EmergencyNrse]

I like being asked "How long have you been a male nurse?"

I tell them that I have ALWAYS been a male nurse.

...don't go back and forth between male & female.

Anyway, it does not bother me. Gotten over it long ago.

Helped going through an Army Nursing Program I guess.

We had more men than women.

... there are NO ego crushing comments that upset me.

I have jumped out of planes and own more weapons

than a SWAT team. Nursing is just a job.

[Streamline2010]

I like being asked "How long have you been a male nurse?"

I tell them that I have ALWAYS been a male nurse.

...

hahaha!

Honestly, although it might be annoying, probably nobody means it to be offensive. Until more men are in the profession and people get used to seeing them, you'll stand out. As the mix changes, it will be less of a surprise / novelty to see a man there.

[RNvocalist]

Doesn't bother me a bit.

Being a nurse does.