Gay male nurse stereotype?

Nursing Students Male Students

Published

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.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

I'm a chick, and I've been hit on by a male nursing student and a male nurse at clinicals. Both knew I was married. I only know one gay student nurse.

I would have thought ole Gaylord Fauker from "Meet the Parents" would have put this stereotype to rest. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

... I even had one pt say to me he didn't want a male nurse bacause he "must be queer if he's a nurse" !!!! After I told him the nurse was happily married with children, he changed his attitude, and was ok with having a male nurse as his caregiver...

Amy

Oh good, I'm glad the patient's homophobia wasn't challenged, and that he went along with his life thinking it is OK to discriminate. (note my sarcasm) He was OK with having a male nurse, as long as he was straight. Classy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/D&A/AL.

Ok so I’ve been working in geriatrics as an aide for almost a year now, I only have like six residents who told me upfront that they don’t want me as their aide and I was fine with it. It’s because they are old fashioned, and used to having the females do that part. I had one male resident say I was a fruit to another female aide and she defended me on my behalf, saying pretty much that I have a girlfriend. Honestly I keep my work and personal life very separate so it’s not an issue. During my aide training, I was the only male out of 24 female students and sure I got harassed a bit but they got it right back (I did this in high school so go figure) and the teacher we had was cool so she helped me alot, to adjust In an all female environment. As far as friends I have one gay friend who I work with and he knows I am gay as well. But like I said I don’t let it affect me or the care I provide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

There are four males in my class of 48. I know two are straight, I am gay, and the other I haven’t been able to figure out yet (I really don’t spend a lot of time with the thought). I wear a wedding band as my partner and I have been together for eight years now. I have NEVER been asked if I was gay. I think that the women in my class assume I am straight since I have a band on. Also, I haven’t had any issues with the patients as I think they assume the same. I don’t discuss my personal life with school mates. I don’t feel my sexual orientation is a factor in my ability to provide good care. There will be patients who will not want you to provide care since they may be assuming your sexual orientation. For me, I do not allow male doctors or nurses to provide care for me and I’m gay. What sense does that make? It’s just I feel more comfortable with female caregivers. Anyways…we will always have the folks who will refuse care because the male is gay, the female is African American, the dark skinned man wears a funny towel on his head (yes…I have heard this one too.).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Pretty interesting topic...unfortunately the only time in which I may have run into such a problem with stereotypes was with my friends believe it or not....some can be cruel stating " your a nurse....are you gay" It seems that a male nurse is still a shock to many....when will this end :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
a title change is an interesting idea. I never considered it. We all say flight attendant vs. steward or stewardess, for example.

Me and the guys in our class call ourselves "Murses" (Man+Nurse)

We may even make hoodies that say it ahaha

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a nurse for about twenty years and I think that most nurses that I have met are not gay. I happen to be gay myself. In my experience, I have met incredibly talented and knowledgeable nurses regardless of who they sleep with. For me, it has been a non-issue. Nurses as a whole are kind and compassionate and I have found that to be true with my coworkers too. Of course there are exceptions that include some personality disorders! LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i have been a nurse for about twenty years and i think that most nurses that i have met are not gay. i happen to be gay myself. in my experience, i have met incredibly talented and knowledgeable nurses regardless of who they sleep with. for me, it has been a non-issue. nurses as a whole are kind and compassionate and i have found that to be true with my coworkers too. of course there are exceptions that include some personality disorders! lol

thirty years ago, most of the male nurses i met were gay. or former priests. or, more often, both. twenty years ago, most of the male nurses i met were second career guys who were not gay. but i think the stereotype exists because at one time, most male nurses were gay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think a lot of it also has to do with location. Having been a nurse in many different hospitals I have found that in two of them there was a larger percentage of staff that were gay. When I asked one of them that I became friends with why this was so they told me that it was a comfort issue. This person told me that the administration of that particular facility was more likely to not make an issue out of their sexuality where as in other facilities that was not the case. I have been in nursing a long time and I am not gay but I have worked with plenty of male nurses that are. As long as they do their job and take care of their patients I don't care one way or another.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And you shouldn't care...as sexuality is a non issue

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think you misunderstood the intent of my post. What I WAS trying to say is exactly what you typed. I was just saying that it seemed to me that some of the hospitals had a more comfortable environment for gay nurses and employees to work in, and there was a large number of gay employee working in that hospital. Depending upon what area of the country you live in attitudes are vastly different towards things.

And I work with someone who I consider a friend who is gay and she told me as much as well.

Just be the best nurse you can be and you will reflect positively on the profession. Sexuality should not be an issue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

are u kidding me?? my class is 170... 10 guys...and 8 are gay.... we need some straight shooters here

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment