Gay male nurse stereotype?

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So, a question has arisen in my mind since I have been in CNA class waiting for nursing school to start.

There are only 2 guys in my class of 25, and the other guy is married and I'm gay. After doing clinicals in the hospital, I have yet to see another gay male CNA or nurse.

Where does this stereotype come from? I am not seeing it at all.

In my experience, among male students & nurses alike -gays ARE there, but the straight-gay ratio is probably not much different than what it is among the general male population. There might indeed be some slight overrepresentation of gays, but it's not like the world of male nursing is just one big giant gay-fest. I don't know; I'm straight, and this is just my own perception of it. In my class, we have about 250 or so. I'm guessing that maybe about 10-20% are male, and of those, there's only one I can think of right off hand who is gay. And I'm not even entirely sure about him; I just get that vibe. I could be wrong. *shrugs* Either way, it's all good. If any females doubt my own orientation, I can assure them that it's definitely hetero.

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Specializes in LTC.

Nurses who are successful and most notable seem to have a very maternalistic, outgoing, caring, etc. personality. The common personality is stereotyped as feminine. Males acting feminine are stereotyped as gay. Think of the stereotype of gay males, that they are all flamboyant with highpitched nasal voices and their main concerns are boys and fashion. How often is this stereotype true? Rarely

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I dunno bro, I'm a single guy who is fit. I'm sure I'll hear all about it. But I'm also a former US Marine. So maybe not. Especially after I have to mean mug half of them they will cut it out.

Two of my ex-boyfriends are former U.S. Marines......(Just for the record, I am a gay man).

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Let me start off by saying that I am gay.

I do agree that the sterotype is probably d/t the fact that, historically, nursing is a woman's job (historically--not my view of course). I tended to buy into this stereotype when I started school (in my mind, I pictued at least 50% of the guys in my class would be gay). As far as I know only myself and 2 other guys are gay (out of about ~25 guys in my class). On the floor, the vast majority of male nurses I have encountered are not gay. (BTW, I hope I do not sound either disappointed or happy--I am not trying to express either).

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I am a first year nursing student and I'm gay.

For the past 10 years I was a Flight Attendant for a major carrier.

Both of these professions are viewed mostly as a woman's profession, HOWEVER I can tell you this, about 50% or more of the men I flew w/ back in the day were straight. (flight attendants)

There will always be stereotypes out there associated w/ certain groups, people and careers. Some of us will fall into that stereotype (gay=nurse, etc...) others of us will not.

Our differences is what makes the world a much better place!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Interesting that the stereotypical myth is still out there. I think it's changing though as time goes on. I've seen the last 15 years that more and more straight guys are comfortable with themselves enough to go into nursing and are comfortable working with gay people as well.

There are five of us males on my shift (one of whom is a tech) and I'm the only gay guy. They are all in their 20s and 30s and quite comfortable being nurses, and are comfortable with me. In fact they were very supportive during the breakup of my long-term relationship and are now trying to fix me up with gay guys they know.

Sometimes I wish there were more gay guys in nursing because I'm the one starting to feel like the freak and would like some peers. LOL

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In my school there are about 25 males out of 370 students. I don't think any of them are gay. So this steryotype will change in time. Even when I took my prereqs, not one of us was gay.

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I'll be a junior this fall, and in my first/second year of nursing (liberal arts school). Second year with my cohort. Anyway, 8 guys out of 80 in my cohort, and I'm the only gay guy (3 are ROTC). Sort of funny, I study with the ROTC guys, and I'll be rooming with 2 other ROTC guys and a rower (I'm a rower as well).

I think there is only one gay guy in the native cohort above me, and only one in the cohort that graduated in the spring. So few!

Its definitely irritating when people a) presume or ask if I am going to be a doctor later on and b) seem content with my career choice because I'm gay.

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Specializes in Tele, M/S, Psych.
Interesting that the stereotypical myth is still out there. I think it's changing though as time goes on. I've seen the last 15 years that more and more straight guys are comfortable with themselves enough to go into nursing and are comfortable working with gay people as well.

There are five of us males on my shift (one of whom is a tech) and I'm the only gay guy. They are all in their 20s and 30s and quite comfortable being nurses, and are comfortable with me. In fact they were very supportive during the breakup of my long-term relationship and are now trying to fix me up with gay guys they know.

Sometimes I wish there were more gay guys in nursing because I'm the one starting to feel like the freak and would like some peers. LOL

:D LOL Tweety, sometimes I wish there were more gay males in nursing too. I am the only openly gay male on my unit. I work with many straight men (it seems Tele is the place to be for men in my hospital) and love the diversity. I find these men very comfortable being nurses and am ecstatic that they are so.

I hate stereotypes, and this is another one. Yes, nursing has many many more females than males occupying positions. However, I find so many more men are comfortable going into the profession and calling themselves nurses (gay or straight). Times are changing, for nurses and gay people alike.

I must be redundant and say what I always say, I could care less with who I work with; male or female, gay or straight. As long as they are good nurses, I am a happy camper...

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I don't receive the gay stereotype from people when they ask what I do. Although what seems to drive the questions are the gross factor. I'm surprised how many people equate nursing with a$$ wiping and bodily fluid cleanup. I'm always a little perplexed by this.

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I've been working in healtcare for four years and have never met a male nurse who was gay. On the other hand I work a 7pm-7am shift that is only half the size of the day staff and predominantly female but I do agree the gay male nurse is an exaggerated stereotype.

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So, a question has arisen in my mind since I have been in CNA class waiting for nursing school to start.

There are only 2 guys in my class of 25, and the other guy is married and I'm gay. After doing clinicals in the hospital, I have yet to see another gay male CNA or nurse.

Where does this stereotype come from? I am not seeing it at all.

Maybe the stereotype comes from people who assume that men who are caring, compassionate, understanding and concerned for another human being are also gay. I get it all the time...my wife thinks its funny.

Maybe I'm gay and don't know it? :yeah:

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