Feminism, Nursing, and Gender

Nurses Professionalism

Published

Early last week we discussed the mistrust of intelligence and education in nursing. One or two nurses suggested that perhaps the frustration stemmed from some sort of "shame" of being in a caring profession where our emotional intelligence is regularly called into practice.

I thought this was a really interesting reaction to my discussion. If a nurse demands more from her field intellectually, this must be reaction formation: she or he is only exaggerating an opposition to traits he or she perceives to be embarrassing, unacceptable, or weak. This also implies that these traits- being maternal, caring, selfless, tender, loving- are inherently female.

Nursing has a complicated history with sexism and feminist issues. In a time where there is an increased presence (or acknowledgement) of males and transgendered individuals in nursing, how will the assigning of these traits affect their job performance and satisfaction? Does the misogyny that still lingers in nursing affect men and the LGBTQ community differently? How will the interaction between nursing and feminism change in the future?

What have been your experiences with gender norms and sexism in your nursing career?

Personally I could care less what gender a person identifies as. Can you do your job? Are you competent? How do you treat others? Those are far more important than which gender box you check off. It's not my business nor my place to judge or label. If you're not a jerk to me I will lend a hand when you need it and probably bring you baked goods and/or supper at some point. (Because food makes friends and friends make me happy)

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Specializes in Research/ED.

Thanks for sharing, Qedy. There is clearly a lot of work to be done here. Your voice is so important in this issue; we need stories like yours to be heard publicly. Even just searching this website yields really disappointing attitudes and a scary lack of education about gender identity. Thanks again.

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Specializes in Research/ED.

I think I've been under the assumption that as a society, we've mostly moved past assuming a man's sexual orientation based on his career. Sounds like it's still a major issue.

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Well, as I see it, a male nurse that gets right to the point and speaks bluntly and plainly about what a patient needs to do to achieve optimal health is a great nurse. Or misunderstood to be "the doctor" (because of the gender assumption). However, a woman who does that same thing is *sometimes* thought of as a great nurse, but sometimes considered b***chy or uncaring, or on a power trip or whatever because (as a woman) she is oftentimes expected to be softspoken, gentle with words, comforting/matronly (traits often associated with a nun).

I don't mince words, and *usually* my patients appreciate that. Sometimes, though, the VERY SAME WORDS, when presented in the SAME MANNER are more readily received from a male colleague. HE is permitted to be authoratative and strong, while I would be perceived as having an attitude.

Just how it is, and I don't think there's much anyone can do to CONSCIOUSLY change any of it. Other than, perhaps, not changing one's own personal style because of it, and just persevering!

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

Apparently you have not met the nuns at my Catholic elementary school!!! :cheeky:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
"Maternal, caring, selfless, loving and tender" are traits often ascribed to us from people outside of nursing. If you overhear nurses talking among themselves about their work, those words do not come up. Those words do not appear anywhere on our performance reviews either. Nursing demands stamina, work ethic, responsibility and flexibility.

I'm adding a :inlove: to this!!!

At least in my area, and my experiences, I find less of a gender controversy; most of the public (at least 80-90 percent) want their nurse, heck any nurse, period to assess, provide info, intervene, and assist in coming up and adhering to a plan-regardless of gender, culture, and socioeconomic status.

Now, are there some aspects of the public that have a "Victorian" attitude towards nursing, including our own peers? Sure; but at least in my area, there are exceptions, not the rule.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.
This should be good. (getting popcorn)

What is the point of a posting a reply like that? It's rude and undermines the OP's attempt to initiate an intelligent conversation. It also foments antagonism in others. If you have nothing to contribute -- why post in the thread at all? Just excuse yourself.

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.
What is the point of a posting a reply like that? It's rude and undermines the OP's attempt to initiate an intelligent conversation. It also foments antagonism in others. If you have nothing to contribute -- why post in the thread at all? Just excuse yourself.

(Chews popcorn loudly)

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.
(Chews popcorn loudly)

Oh this thread is going in every direction I like.

As a man... Being a man in nursing has helped me. It has also hindered me. I have had legs up from managers who flat out say they want men on the floor. I have also been run out of places by woman who didn't think men should nurse. Also as a woman you have never experienced a parent looking at you as a threat to their child, just because you have a member. I think the public perception of nursing is changing, but of course it lags behind reality. The truth is there are people who really get a raw deal from society, like the LGBTQ community, and rather than gripe about my situation I try and help theirs.

(Reaches over and grabs handful of popcorn)

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

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Specializes in Critical Care, Float Pool Nursing.

Sorry about the trolls, OP. I hope you find your answers.

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My mom once gave me a "Mothers Day" gift "from all the patients I take care of, because I mother them". Her intention was sweet, but I was offended on a visceral level. I tried to explain to her that nurses are professionals who possess a body of knowledge and that sort of mindset devalues the profession, but I just couldn't make her understand. She kept meeting my arguments with "yes, but you take care of them like a mother would take care of her sick children". Yech. I tried to explain that Mother's Day comes at the same time as Nurses Week, and if she wanted to recognize me as a nurse, she could do it that way. I guess that wasn't as interesting to her. I haven't gotten another such gift from her again. If my own mother sees nurses that way, I can imagine the rest of the population has a similar opinion.

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Specializes in ICU.

No idea whether these are tied to being female, tied to being a nurse, or tied to where I live, but... I am tired of patients making assumptions about what kind of person I am outside of work, and getting all scandalized when my choices don't match what they think I should choose.

Examples: everyone on the planet asks me if I am married, if I have children, and if I want children. If I refuse to tell them and attempt to deflect the conversation, my patients/families can be outright hostile. Apparently, I am a completely cold ***** and a horrible nurse if I don't tell my patients everything about my personal life. If I tell the truth - that I have never wanted children and don't see myself changing my opinion anytime soon, I get a variety of reactions. Many people are horrified because children are God's gift or whatever. I don't get it. A bunch more insist on telling me that they know I will change my mind, because I am a stupid person who doesn't understand that everyone on the planet is exactly the same and everyone has kids because that is what we are supposed to do!!! If I lie and smile and say someday, or something like that... I get treated to lots of further follow-up about how many kids I think I'll want, etc., and that conversation is absolutely excruciating.

Funny enough, I don't see my male coworkers getting crucified by patients and family members for not wanting kids. I don't even overhear them getting asked about their children very often. Why is my reproductive status open for discussion because I have female sex organs instead of male ones? Perhaps this is somehow tied to the public's opinion of nurses being "maternal" because I sure as heck didn't have to field all of these reproduction questions when I worked in customer service, though I worked in North Carolina then instead of the deep South, so there are a few confounding factors here. Either way, the fact that everyone seems to believe that knowledge of my reproductive status should be public property really ****** me off.

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