I've been on the receiving end of quite a number of male "nurse" jokes ever since I started college for my BSN. I have not been phased one iota, but now that I'm in school and am around other men, they seem to want to change the terminology to something other than "Male Nurse" (something like "masculine health care technologist" or whatever).
Anyway, I thought I'd do a little research and poll the fine folks here. What do you think: Are you bothered by being called a nurse?
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
I went through the insanity of school to become a NURSE. I am a NURSE. I am not a "patient care specialist." I am a NURSE.
I am not a MALE nurse. I am a NURSE. I wonder how well it would go over if I referred a patient to that LADY doctor.
When my dad went to nursing school in the 1970s I was ridiculed endlessly- mostly by girls. "What does your mommy do- drive a bulldozer?" Being the sarcastic little monster that I was, I would answer, "No, my mom is a construction foreman who moonlights as a martial arts instructor."
I was searching the internet for images of nursing and of course several of the first images located were babies and exposed female breasts. I can't think of another profession that has this kind of confused professional image.
Links, Man, where are the links? Uh, if you aren't a man, please ignore this post.
But, seriously folks, I like many of the traditional associations with the title "nurse." Of all the things I've had to overcome to become a nurse, the title is far down the list. A new name will not make disimpacting a bowel or dropping an NG more glamourous than it already is. Colostomy care by any name would smell as sweet.
I will concede that the nature of the profession has changed over time. But I don't think a new title will make us more respected. Nor do I think it will make the field more appealing to men. IMHO, some of the best parts of the job are traditionally "feminine" roles. I would say I think the distinction is more cultural than biological--clearly, men are capable of being caring, comforting, and gentle, but these qualities tend to get more reinforcement in girls than boys. It seems to me that being effective as a nurse requires some qualities that might be called "masculine," as well. We're pretty regularly called upon to be decisive, assertive, and objective. Again, these are qualities of which women are entirely capable--they just aren't necessarily ones that get emphasized in little girls.
One thing that has long troubled me, though, is what do you call a man who dances ballet? A ballerino? A "male ballerina?" See, as nurses we have it pretty good. Plus, I just don't think my knees could handle all that leaping and stuff...
This thread has gone in several directions ranging from being called nurse, male nurse and why do doctors get treated with more respect?
As The Nurse, I am responsible for coordinating all aspects of my patient's care, I assess his condition, determine his needs, consult other disciplines as needed and keep the MD informed. I obviously do more than put bandaids on owies.
When I am called a male nure, I simply reply, "I don't work for the Post Office." The quicker ones catch on immediately. Some have to manipulate male vs mail before it sinks in. Typically, they laugh too.
Back during my first days in a hospital, I realized in spite of our responsibilty levels, we were still referred to by first names only. While it works well to establish a more open and friendly relationship with our patients and coworkers; it is a notable divide between the DOCTOR and the STAFF. I don't know how this aspect will ultimately shake out. Very few of us would care to address each other as Nurse Jones, Nurse Smith instead of by first names.
I don't even want to raise the question of security regarding last names on the ID badge. I've read some of the concerns our friends in ER have to deal with and can appreciate their opinions.
Ultimately in my experience, the nurse-doctor respect/rapport is built on a relationship between two professionals working toward a shared goal; the benefit of the patient. To be sure, there are, probably will always be doctors who treat nurses shabbily. Of course, we know who they are and the best ways we know to deal with them in a given situation.
Overall, I like being a nurse. I've had past lives as a military officer, a teacher and a salesman. I'm a lot happer now than I've ever been.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
This thread has gone in several directions ranging from being called nurse, male nurse and why do doctors get treated with more respect?
As The Nurse, I am responsible for coordinating all aspects of my patient's care, I assess his condition, determine his needs, consult other disciplines as needed and keep the MD informed. I obviously do more than put bandaids on owies.
When I am called a male nure, I simply reply, "I don't work for the Post Office." The quicker ones catch on immediately. Some have to manipulate male vs mail before it sinks in. Typically, they laugh too.
Back during my first days in a hospital, I realized in spite of our responsibilty levels, we were still referred to by first names only. While it works well to establish a more open and friendly relationship with our patients and coworkers; it is a notable divide between the DOCTOR and the STAFF. I don't know how this aspect will ultimately shake out. Very few of us would care to address each other as Nurse Jones, Nurse Smith instead of by first names.
I don't even want to raise the question of security regarding last names on the ID badge. I've read some of the concerns our friends in ER have to deal with and can appreciate their opinions.
Ultimately in my experience, the nurse-doctor respect/rapport is built on a relationship between two professionals working toward a shared goal; the benefit of the patient. To be sure, there are, probably will always be doctors who treat nurses shabbily. Of course, we know who they are and the best ways we know to deal with them in a given situation.
Overall, I like being a nurse. I've had past lives as a military officer, a teacher and a salesman. I'm a lot happer now than I've ever been.
... because maybe... just maybe... it may be able to be improved upon.
If that were possible, wouldn't you be in favor of it?
Shouldn't we keep our minds open?
It depends on who is pushing for the change and why. A nurse by any other name is still a nurse, just as a "public sanitation engineer" is still a trash collector. I personally view the drive to change our title as just more PC rubbish meant to make someone with an inferiority complex feel more important. If you don't like what you do, change what you do- don't try to change everyone else's world just to suit your own. Pushing this in spite of the majority, who desire that it be left alone, is closing your mind to the world around you.
I am a nurse, and I enjoy that title immensely, and I worked very hard to be called a nurse, thank you very much. Those who don't like being called "nurse" can call themselves whatever they desire, but should refrain from imposing their agendas on those who are not interested- which, according to the accompanying poll, is the majority.
But if a change can bring more professionalism, autonomy, prestige, and "dinero," then maybe we should put our collective minds to the task.
Another part of all this is that the general public really has no real clue as to what it is we do, and its significance to peoples lives.
Our training has changed immensely through the years. Perhaps our title could use revamping too.
The men and women who flew old rag-and-string biplanes were called "pilots." The men and women who fly Mach 2+ super-sophisticated air superiority fighters today are called "pilots." Discounting the immense value inherent in the title of "nurse" is a mistake, in my opinion. I personally wonder if the people who are pressing for the title change are forgetting that changing our titles may cause the people whom we serve to become more confused about the qualifications and credentials of the nurse.
The title of "Nurse" clearly delineates us from all other medical professionals. There is immense prestige in holding that title. If we are looking for better pay, better bennies, better pensions, better standards, and better opportunities, we will not find these things any more attainable by changing our titles. We will find them more attainable by changing the attitudes of the healthcare and media systems, and the stereotypes that they perpetuate.
I always laugh when I hear people say if you don't like XXX then get out of the profession. I wonder what these folks would say if nurses were still wearing white caps or it was back in the times when nursing was considered a lowly profession that parents didn't want their daughters to pursue.
It's not as if nursing hasn't needed changed in the past. Years ago Florence Nightingale saw nursing's shortcoming and she made it her life's work to make it better. Is is perfect today? Not even close.
I'm sure there were the same hecklers back in Florence Nightingale's time telling her to leave nursing be. Thank goodness she didn't listen.
Thunderwolf, MSN, RN
3 Articles; 6,621 Posts
Bill, I like you!
Excellent post!