How High Is the Demand For Male CNA's /LPN's/RN's?

[pinktulips008]

Hey guys, thank you in advance for reading this thread as this is my first question here at AN :). Few days back I received a phone call from a CNA instructor notifying me that I had been accepted into the CNA program that lasts three weeks. I am not too worried about the class as I am more than dedicated when it comes to studying and performing skills to the best of my ability. However, I wanted to pick the fine brain of allnurse.com to see what people thought about the demand levels for male CNA's and RN's?

Oddly enough, when my grandfather got discharged from Long Term care here in Wyoming, one of the LPN's asked me to apply to their LTC unit immediately because more male CNA's and RNs were needed. Is this typical for most hospitals and LTC facilities to have high needs for male workers?

Anyhow, this is an awesome community as it has been providing me amazing information as I begin pursuing my degree in nursing itself. Thanks for the feedback and have a great day!

John King

[casi, ASN, RN]

I don't think that the demand is super different. Although some people treat male staff as a lift team.

In LTC one of the reasons I love having male staff around is older residents sometimes react very differently to males. There tends to be more respect towards males due to old school thoughts of females in authority positions.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I have yet to see a Help Wanted Ad for a male CNA, LPN or RN:roflmao:

[pinktulips008]

I don't think that the demand is super different. Although some people treat male staff as a lift team.

In LTC one of the reasons I love having male staff around is older residents sometimes react very differently to males. There tends to be more respect towards males due to old school thoughts of females in authority positions.

Do you find that on average female patients treat male CNA's differently than female CNA's?

[loriangel14, RN]

I don't think that there is a specific demand for males in the workplace.Job openings aren't looking for a specific gender. But it is great to see more and more males getting into nursing.

[Fiona59]

Do you find that on average female patients treat male CNA's differently than female CNA's?

Yes, depending on their age and cultural background, they will refuse to have you care for them. I've even had husbands from the middle east stress that their wives were not to be cared for by male staff members.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Here are my personal observations:

1. Certain patients treat male healthcare workers more respectably. Not all, but some, especially elderly patients.

2. Some physicians treat male nurses more respectably than females. The doc who will not hesitate to scream at a female employee is the same one who suddenly behaves more respectfully toward the male nurse.

[pinktulips008]

Here are my personal observations:

1. Certain patients treat male healthcare workers more respectably. Not all, but some, especially elderly patients.

2. Some physicians treat male nurses more respectably than females. The doc who will not hesitate to scream at a female employee is the same one who suddenly behaves more respectfully toward the male nurse.

Is it that the older patients just have a better sense of respect for male nurses occasionally or is there a particular reason?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Is it that the older patients just have a better sense of respect for male nurses occasionally or is there a particular reason?

The reasons are varied. Some 'older' patients will automatically assume any male healthcare worker is a doctor until they are informed otherwise. Other 'older' patients have been taught to defer to men due to antiquated socialization regarding gender roles.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

BEWARE of any expressed preference for Male staffers - there are undoubtedly some hidden agendas there!- LOL. Most likely, they want 'lifters' or staff who (they think) could fulfill other gaps that men are supposed to be better suited for (handling disruptive patients, lifting heavy things, providing unofficial security, etc)... NONE of those reasons have anything to do with nursing skills or knowledge. Don't let yourself be 'used' like this.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Do you find that on average female patients treat male CNA's differently than female CNA's?

It really depends on the patient. I have some little old ladies who refuse personal care from males, but this isn't a whole lot of people. Honestly where I work most of the time it's the families that say no male CNAs. Basically it all comes down to personal preference and culture.

[loriangel14, RN]

Well have male aide and most of the little old ladies just LOVE him!