How are male nurses perceived?

[hemlok2]

I have begun observing and volunteering at a hospital before beginning nursing school and had a negative experience this weekend. When asked by a very senior and experienced nurse why I was on the ward, I replied that I was learning as much as I could about nursing before heading to nursing school. She responded that males should be doctors not nurses and said it was not appropriate for me to be observing what other nurses did until I was a student--she said this to me despite my showing her that I had been authorized by the hospital administrator to observe. Is this a common reaction to male nurses or those who wish to be nurses? All of the nurses I have worked with and observed so far have been very kind and helpful. Perhaps the one I encountered is just an anomoly--at least I hope. But I just wanted to get feedback on this. Thanks.

[zenman]

Many perceive me to be a Sean Connery look-a-like, but he's a few years older than me!

[Jamie Dale]

This nurse that gave you the hard time probably graduated nursing school back in the day, carrying a lantern next to Florence Nightengale. Don't mind her...older nurses are more closed minded...You'll do fine in nursing. And I commend you for your interest. I guess some nurses forget that before Florence came along....men were the nurses! You have to be stern in your beliefs boy. Don't let people run all over you. Take a stand, tell 'em what is on your mind and they will see (full blown) their ignorance. I have got to brace myself with this topic...I'm getting crazy mad just thinking about it.

[rn/writer, RN]

This nurse that gave you the hard time probably graduated nursing school back in the day, carrying a lantern next to Florence Nightengale. Don't mind her...older nurses are more closed minded...You'll do fine in nursing. And I commend you for your interest. I guess some nurses forget that before Florence came along....men were the nurses! You have to be stern in your beliefs boy. Don't let people run all over you. Take a stand, tell 'em what is on your mind and they will see (full blown) their ignorance. I have got to brace myself with this topic...I'm getting crazy mad just thinking about it.

SOME older nurses are more closed minded. Many OTHER older nurses have learned enough life lessons to value good character, wisdom, skills, and a solid work ethic, no matter what "package" they come in.

Please, let's not trade one stereotype for another.

[snowfreeze, BSN, RN]

The only different perception of male nurses versus female nurses I have is that they are usually much better at assisting with lifting and moving patients. Otherwise I don't see a difference.

[rn undisclosed name]

I love the days there is a male nurse working on the unit. It seems to cut down on the cattiness that is normally present among certain nurses.

[Farkinott, RN]

My experience has been that they are perceived the same as females...by ability, not the hardware under the uniform. Your statement about the "very senior" nurse may answer your entire question.....the oldest generation of nurses may have a more difficult time with accepting male nurses, just as some of the older generation of doctors have a problem with women doctors. If a nurse is what you want to be, go for it and don't pay any attention to what she said. Nursing and doctoring are partners, but they are also very different.

BRAVO!!!!!!

[Farkinott, RN]

Default Re: How are male nurses perceived?

"My experience has been that they are perceived the same as females...by ability, not the hardware under the uniform. Your statement about the "very senior" nurse may answer your entire question.....the oldest generation of nurses may have a more difficult time with accepting male nurses, just as some of the older generation of doctors have a problem with women doctors. If a nurse is what you want to be, go for it and don't pay any attention to what she said. Nursing and doctoring are partners, but they are also very different."

BRAVO tazzieRn!!!!!!!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i have begun observing and volunteering at a hospital before beginning nursing school and had a negative experience this weekend. when asked by a very senior and experienced nurse why i was on the ward, i replied that i was learning as much as i could about nursing before heading to nursing school. she responded that males should be doctors not nurses and said it was not appropriate for me to be observing what other nurses did until i was a student--she said this to me despite my showing her that i had been authorized by the hospital administrator to observe. is this a common reaction to male nurses or those who wish to be nurses? all of the nurses i have worked with and observed so far have been very kind and helpful. perhaps the one i encountered is just an anomoly--at least i hope. but i just wanted to get feedback on this. thanks.

i suspect you've encountered an anomoly, although i don't know much about guam. perhaps it's cultural as well.

here in the continental us, we judge based on attitude and ability, not by gender, age, race, sexual preference or school transcript.

nurses are welcome -- we need you. and i also happen to think male nurses are sexy. (dh is a nurse, too!)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

don't mind her...older nurses are more closed minded...

jamie, you're generalizing. i'm sure you didn't mean to disparage older nurses. did you?

[banditrn]

I love the days there is a male nurse working on the unit. It seems to cut down on the cattiness that is normally present among certain nurses.

So, so true!!:wink2: I've worked with a few male nurses, and appreciated them all - except for one that picks up in the LTC where I now work. He's got a superiority complex that just doesn't quit. He and I got into a conflict one day - he told me that he hated working with former ICU nurses - because we're so anal. Yes, I guess I am about certain things - like accounting for the narcs you use.

[autumnd]

I think that old nurse was just holding onto old attitudes and beliefs. In today's world, there is more diversity, and the nursing field ought to reflect that diversity itself since it will be treating members of a more diverse society. If people were more openminded about male nurses, it would be easier to recruit them. There's no reason why men cannot be nurses, why women cannot become doctors, why men cannot be stay-at-home dads (I know of one who is proud of it, says it's the best job in the world), nor why women cannot be cops. If someone is happy doing something, they have a right to pursue that. Gender roles really are artificial - they are constructed by people.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

My goodness...I need all the helpful RN's I can get in a days work...I don't care at all about their sex/creed/color! We are trained to provide medical assistance and we do it...PERIOD!

I percieve male nurses as nurses! I work with MANY of them and so glad to have them on the team because of the stereotype that you listed tends to bring the numbers down (very sad!)! I like the ad campaign about "Are you MAN enough to be a nurse???" which features men from all areas of the US and different jobs before that are nurses now....from Millitary men, to Black Belt instructors from the martial arts, to business men to everything!!!!!!!!!!! Good campaign I say...

Stick to your dreams! Nurses are HUMANS and should considered a profession within the HUMAN SCOPE!