Good area of nursing for a male to work in?

noahsmama · May 16, 2011

Any area he's interested in!

jrj1979 · May 16, 2011

I work in the NICU and absolutely love it!!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · May 16, 2011

I agree with the above. What actually interests you should be the driving variable in your decision. Everything else is secondary.

I would suggest avoiding M/S................you will be taken advantage of in a lot of ways. You'll become the surrogate CNA a lot of shifts as everyone else on the unit all of a sudden can't lift pt's as soon as they see you walk in the door. I've heard similar complaints with males in LTC.

The males nurses I see who are able to enjoy a long career without bouncing around from place to place seem to be in the ER, OR and ICU. Thats just my observation though. Don't snuff other opportunities just because they are not in those fields.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 16, 2011

OB!!!

Redneckmedic63 · May 16, 2011

I've worked PICU since I graduated and love it! (I'm just an overgrown, arthritic kid anyway!) ER is a good fit, too. Also know alot of guys that are very happy working other critical care areas, and med-surg as well. The field is pretty much yours. As stated above, and not to sound sexist - beware the assumption that you are a man, therefore you can do all the heavy lift assists, take the combative patients, etc... - it really does seem to be a common theme wherever you go, though generally I think it is unintentional. Nursing is defiinitely a good career for guys!!!

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · May 16, 2011

OB!!!

Oh god no, you couldn't pay me enough to work in OB.

PinaColada · May 16, 2011

Any area that will actually hire you. The nursing field is way too saturated to pick and choose.

meghan91 · May 16, 2011

i would say whatever area interests the person. whatever are they will be happy in is where they should go no matter what. I know a lot of guys that love ER, oncology, ICU, NICU. Its had to say what area to go into, the person just needs to test the waters and see which are they love the most. THey shouldnt worry if its a good area because they are male. Just try really any area you get into itllgive you a better idea of what you know isnt for you personally and what is for you.

April13RN · May 16, 2011

I've found that males are especially helpful in the psych field. Alot of clients that I have worked with seem to work better with males. Guys can also come in handy if any physical management is needed.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · May 16, 2011

We have a couple male nurses in LTC and they are great to work with. They are saints with the residents too. Can calm down any confused little old lady in a few seconds.

psu_213, BSN, RN · May 16, 2011

I agree with the above. What actually interests you should be the driving variable in your decision. Everything else is secondary.
I would suggest avoiding M/S................you will be taken advantage of in a lot of ways. You'll become the surrogate CNA a lot of shifts as everyone else on the unit all of a sudden can't lift pt's as soon as they see you walk in the door. I've heard similar complaints with males in LTC.
The males nurses I see who are able to enjoy a long career without bouncing around from place to place seem to be in the ER, OR and ICU. Thats just my observation though. Don't snuff other opportunities just because they are not in those fields.

I have noticed that also...that males tend to stay longest in ER, OR, ICU. Not to say that is best for you...you have to make that decision for your self.

I think it is funny that you mention the situation with males in LTC. I was an aide (never a nurse) in LTC. One of the nurses did say to me (and a group of my coworkers) "oh, I wish we had even more male aides." When I asked why she replied "oh, your guys are good a lifting residents...stuff like that" :uhoh3: Needless to say, I was kinda disappointed with the answer.