Guys in Nursing...What's your Input?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hello fellow nurses.

I'm a 21 year old male practical nursing student. I have worked in nursing for a little over a year now as a CNA and CMA. One think I have noticed is the very small percentage of males in this profession. I know the stereotype of male doctors have opened up to accept women doctors, but it seems that nursing is still an all women profession in many people's mind. Many of the ladies I take care of in the nursing home adress me doctor, only because I am a man (although it comes in helpfull when feeding sometimes "The doctor said I need to eat", but I always correct the patient when they refer to me as a doctor, don't need any felony charches for impersonating an MD, lol). The few people who are used to see guys in nursing always ask me if I am gay. (I am happily engaged and getting married next september .:roll )

What I would like to know is your experiences with guys in nursing, is it this unusual for a straight guy to consider nursing as a profession. I really love being in nursing.

My next T-Shirt logan: "Male Nurses Wanted...Apply within"

:chuckle

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

rebel--Well THAT'S real subtle.

Originally posted by sjoe

rebel--Well THAT'S real subtle.

Welcome to Rebel's online world.....:D

We have one male nurse on our team. He is a former urology tech, from back in the days when female nurses were not allowed to cath male patients (he's from India, where I believe they still have restrictions on this). Anyway, in home care we often have to treat perineal abcesses, and this can cause a problem. Some women do not feel comfortable with a male nurse visiting them in their home where there may not be anyone else present, especially when it involves wound care in the anal/genital aea. I guess what surpises me is the number of times the patient says, "hey, not a problem...my doctor's a man, and he's seen my tush before!" It is most often a problem with Muslim women, and in those cases we try to be culturally sensitive, and send a female nurse.

He has had patients accuse him of being gay, even though he's a married man wih childen. Some people just don't get it, do they??

Hi All......I currently work with 4 male nurses. All are great, 3 are married and 1 is still too young. We get nothing but respect from them and we all work as a team.

I have, in the past, worked with some male nurses that were TERRIBLE!! Major 'he-man- egos. I have also worked with a couple of male nurses who were gay.....so?? People are people and I really don't care what you do 'on your own time' as long as it doesn't spill over to hinder your work.

If you have been 'called' to be a nurse, it shouldn't matter what you are. If your good, GREAT!!

There is a 'stigma' about male nurses.....just the same if a woman is a cop, fireman, truck driver..........we need to get away from the gender jobs and realize that whatever you want to be......be it.

Thanks to all the guys out there that have a heart of gold and wear scrubs to work...we need ya!!

Nurses are Nurses I welcome the men in the nursing field....please come one come all......we need the help.....yes indeed we do..........NURSES ROCK HARDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by MarcusKspn

I didn't mean to sound as if I have a problem with gay guys. I just have encountered that a lot of people have that perception, especially outside of nursing. If you are a male nurse, you are a gay nurse. I have worked with gay and straights of both genders, and both made great nurses and aides. I didn't mean to make the gay-issue the center of the threat lol. I was just wondering of guys in nursing in general.

This is a topic I know first hand! I am a male LPN been a Nurse now for over 13 years and a male all my life. Yes I have been refferred to as "Doctor" and I too correct the client or whomever. I also worked for a Family Practice Doc whom I wrote for and did the initial client work up and physicals, very often this was why they called me Doc too! In some ways a male NURSE is a benefit with the heard of hearing they can hear the deeper tones of my vioce and follow instructions. In addition since I keep current and did well in school they listen to me as an expert, I think my gender has something to do with that (I am a blonde and if I was female I would have a different stereotype to battle). Speaking of stereotypes, It is unfortunate but they often assume I am GAY since I am a Nurse. To which the few times it was voiced I tell them of my 2 sons and my wife of 21 years, LOL!

There are situations though that can be an advantage I worked in a very small hospital in the middle of nowhere Neb. and I had female clients whom had they thought I was a hetrosexual male would have been very uncomfortable with some of the treatments or procedures I preformed or assisted with. As a small community hospital with 3 family practice Docs and 1 surgeon I was often working with OB/GYN clients. Even today I do not let it get to me and depending on the situation I let people think whatever, as long as I know I am doing my practice as well as anyone else then it does not really matter. Use what God has given ya and improvise the rest! LOL Good luck, I hope to see LPN after your name soon!

Originally posted by jnette

So now you know how WOMEN have felt all along ! I remember the days when female Dr.'s were a rarity. Still know folks who won't see one! Thought was.."only men are Dr's." Rubbish !

Tit for tat !

Somehow, though, I still think this is a "cultural" issue. I have not found these preconceived ideas in other countries. :confused:

Jnette--I agree . I know that some think that way though. I always wonder how they can justify that thought process. howdoes that( tit for tat) make it right, two wrongs do not make a right. people thatfeel that way have a very immature unprofessional wayof looking at the situation. today women are accepted as doctors there is not reason men should not be accepted as nurses

I have been int he EMS field for 8 years. Not once has any body qustioned the fact that I am a guy in this field. Soon as I went to nursing school I encoutered a major resistance by my freinds, family and co-workers. My family was proud, however my father thinks nursing is for " GIRLS" and that I am a wimp. My friends tell me that I should be a doctor because nursing is a " GIRL" job. My co-workers in the E.M.S field tell me that paramedics are better than nurses and that nurses are a pain in the butt. In clinical the patients are surprised to find out that I am a nursing student. They all call me a doctor. Well I am here to tell everyone who is thinking about becoming a male nurse " laugh because when you are happy at your job and love what you are doing, they won't be."I love being a nursing student.

For those patients that ask "are you a doctor?".............I reply,"No,but if I'm not tough enough to become a nurse,then I'll have to go to medical school!"

;)

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Mark ! :eek: :eek: :eek:

My gosh !!! I can't believe you took that the way you did ! Of COURSE it doesn't make it right !!! That was my whole POINT ! Geeeeeeeeeeesh ! The "tit for tat" was a TOTAL tongue-in-cheek ! Boy, talk about misinterpreting! If I came across the way you TOOK it, one would assume I take the position of anti-male-nurse. WRONG !!! Read the rest of my posts, my friend... somehow we got our wires crossed, and if it was my doing or lousy use of the English language, I certainly apologize..truly. As for male/female docs... I don't care if they're spotted, striped, whatever! But I DO remember the days when a female doc was not kosher ! (at least in the US) Now it 's different... so will be the male nurse thing... and it never should be an issue to BEGIN with !!! THAT is my point... it's ridiculous..gender should have NOTHING to do with one's choice of profession !Period! Gee, you really made me feel like crap with that post... now I'm afraid to say ANYthing for fear of being misunderstood! :confused: :o

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Good for you, Streetwise ! That's the spirit ! Do what you love and you'll love what you do ! Go get 'em! :D

+ Add a Comment