HELP!!! (me as RN?)

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2004

There are lots of male nurses (even though women are still the majority). I work in an ICU and probably 30% of our staff are male (and yes, they are straight). Nursing is becoming a more popular career option for men because of the decent (although not wonderful) salary and job opportunities at the moment. In addition, you get a challenging work environment and get to help people every day. But, you shouldn't become a nurse simply because your mom and aunt want you to or you won't be happy. Pick your career based on what YOU would be happy doing.

chellevrn · Mar 7, 2004

Hi...I just graduated from nursing school last January. Nursing school is hard and you have to do a LOT of studying, but it's a good career that's really in demand right now. I think the best way for you to see what it's really like is to volunteer at a hospital. Try Christ Hospital or JCMC since those are in Jersey City. There's also St. Mary's in Hoboken. That way you can kinda see what it's like in a hospital. That will also give you a chance to talk to some nurses there. Also, there's a lot of male nurses in hospitals now. There were a few guys in my classes, and my manager is also male. Don't buy into that stuff that male nurses are gay...that's bull. Well, good luck with everything...

Renee' Y-Y · Mar 7, 2004

I have been an RN for about 18 years now. Nursing has been very good to me...even though I whine about it sometimes...because there are so many things you can do in nursing. If you want to do something different or learn something new there is ALWAYS something available. Plus, it can be a stepping stone to other things, like anesthesia (which I see alot of male nurses going into) & nurse practitioner. I would have to say that nursing definitely needs more males in the profession. (Professions do not determine sexual orientation...nor do they influence it.) What are your favorite subjects? Sometimes that can help you decide too.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 7, 2004

Check out:

The Guys Club: Guy Students Come on In!

CCU NRS · Mar 7, 2004

Male RN was LPN for 8 years. You will not be automatically sterotyped as gay if you become a nurse, if that is you greatest fear you should not worry. Nursing is hard work but it is also rewarding. Do you communicate well with people are you able to work unsupervised and complete many tasks in random order? Can you stand the site of blood, stool,snot, etc. I would assume having a mother that is a nurse you have been exposed to a certain amount of gross talk about such things I know my children have but my wife and I are both nurses.

Good luck you are still young and you seem very articulate explore a wide range of interests and chose what fits you best.

TraumaNurse · Mar 7, 2004

Male nurse here....and not gay either. You will find gay male nurses and you will find straight male nurses, you will find gay and straight female nurses too, also nurses from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds! If you want to become a nurse, than do it. It is a great career that offers a lot of opportunity and diversity. You can go into many different areas such as ER or ICU where more guys tend to work.

Also, since you are in high school, you may here some of the immature responses from your friends about guys in nursing...remind them that you will be surrounded by beautiful, intelligent women all day long....how bad can that be! When I started nursing school 12 years ago, I was one of 15 guys in a class of 65, when I walked into class that first day and looked around all I could say is....SWEET!

Go to your guidance councilor and get some info about various careers such as nursing and see where your interests lie. There are a lot of options out there but don't pick your career path bases on whether you think that the people you are working with are gay or not. Good luck.

rnmaven · Mar 23, 2004

PLEASE: give me some info on this; i am currently deciding on what to choose as my career goal. i am a 16 yr old male, studying (10th grade) in northern nj. my aunt and my mom work in a nursing home and they are persuading me to become a RN. i have no idea what to do. i can probably do anything as my teachers tell me and i want to do some thing like RN, but the only thing i am scared about is me being like the only male in the nursing classes and then at work, etc. sorry for being verbose but pleas help me. i have been confused by some web sites that male RNs are usually [gay] (not the :) one). please help clear up this problem. other info is open-handedly welcomed
I cordially thank you very, very much for reading;
PLzreply

As the Mom of a 17 year old son, I hear your concerns regarding choosing nursing as a career. However, I can assure you that if you were to speak with some male nurses currently employed in the profession, you would find out: that they may NOT be gay.....that they are making GOOD money (especially in NJ)......that they LOVE and HATE being the minority male.....there's good and bad in being a minority......hey, if you're not gay, there's plenty of candidates to date. Many of the male nurses I meet today are guys who did something else and did nursing as a career change.....that's good......adds more diversity to our profession.

Let me tell you that many of the male nurses I meet are making over $100,000 per year......either because they work so many hours or they work agency or they highly specialize or they work outside of the hospital.

I always tell guys asking me about nursing that I have always been very happy with the choice for my education. Despite the stereotype of nurses working at the bedside, the degree in nursing gives you alot of paths to follow. I worked 8 years at the bedside full time........critical care, open heart. Then I spent 17 years in a variety of sales positions in pharmaceuticals, medical sales and later sales management.........all with a BS degree with a major in nursing. I made more money than some of my friends who were attorneys and I had no law school loans to pay. This past year, working full time agency, I made $96,000 and believe me......in comparison to my previous life as a sales manager......the 36 to 48 hour week felt like a vacation. I go to grad school and will finish the MSN in 2005. I am also dabbling in consulting work creating workshops for communication skills and leadership education for nurses.

The sky's the limit with a degree in nursing........I wish my son would consider it.....but he probably won't. Tell your Mom and Aunt to help you connect with some male nurses who work trauma at Jersey City Med Center......or make the connection yourself....ask the guys what they think!

Good luck!:)

telenurse04 · May 4, 2004

We need more males in nursing.

But, the important thing is looking at what career is right for you. Look at your strengths and weaknesses. Are you interested in science? Are you interested in not sitting in an office all day? Are you interested in physical and mental work? There is such a variety in nursing. You can be a manager, a staff nurse (working the floor), a quality assurance nurse, a rehab nurse, a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a public health nurse working with the government and other agencies, a lobbyist in nursing and health care, a school nurse, a researcher (PhD), a teacher (MSN or PhD), administrator, etc.

I highly suggest you work in an area in health care to decide if it is for you. Try working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home or hospital. And, be choosy when picking one of those jobs. Find one with a good mentor or orientation program.