How do people feel about male nurses?

RNator · Jan 27, 2016

I'm really surprised at all these comments about males not being welcome in L and D or having inappropriate assignments as students. What is this, the dark ages?? (Oh wait, then ALL the medical providers would be male!) My cohort was half guys (!!) and all had great L and D experiences, even though it was definitely a program tailored toward "traditional" students... E.g. These were young men who hadn't already had children.
In fact, one of the guys went on to be an excellent L and D nurse - he's a very popular labor coach from what I understand. All attended at least 1 lady partsl delivery. I mean sheesh, how do all the male medical residents get *their* training??? Someone's gotta check that cervix!
In all seriousness OP, sounds like some of this stuff may be regional or program specific. I'm in WA and we are pretty open minded 'round these parts, I guess. Not sure what it would be like in the Bible Belt or whatever, but here, meh. Gender isn't much of a thing. I know male nurses in mother/baby, Peds, NICU, ICU, ED, cardiac, OR, etc.
Good luck to you and enjoy the ride. Keep an open mind - you never know what specialty will suit you.

Just thought I would weigh in here Kalycat...its not the dark ages, but I see PLENTY of the bias...sadly. And, it comes from fellow nurses, which happen to be female. I am presently aggressively seeking work elsewhere, and this is one of the big reasons for me.

RNator

RNator · Jan 27, 2016

Some wisdom is required by these instructors and supervisors as far as the right patients to assign you to. How did this new mother feel about a man being near her at this time? Even the most stable and trustworthy men might not want to be "teaching a new mother how to breastfeed" when they've never breastfed. For that matter, a female who has never breastfed can't be a good teacher for this either.

I personally do not see the same "sensitivities" granted to male patients. It may be exclusive to my place of employment...and that is why I'm leaving...just my $.02

RNator

RNator · Jan 27, 2016

And yet there are so many women who go to male doctors. I've seen male patients who request a female nurse because they feel strange having a man give them personal care. So it happens with both sexes. I think it is smart for any nurse giving personal care to always have someone else with them. Turning and lifting, even just during bathing, is so much easier on everyone with two people. And that is good team work anyhow.

I wish I worked with more Nurses with your sensibilities ðŸ˜Š. But I don't, and for the life of me I don't know how these other nurses justify their

actionsðŸ˜”

RNator

sharkdiver · Jan 28, 2016

I personally do not see the same "sensitivities" granted to male patients. It may be exclusive to my place of employment...and that is why I'm leaving...just my $.02
RNator

I agree that the double standard you referenced does exist - all the more reason we need more males in the nursing profession, so the same sensitivities can be granted to male patients as well.

Farawyn · Jan 28, 2016

I agree that the double standard you referenced does exist - all the more reason we need more males in the nursing profession, so the same sensitivities can be granted to male patients as well.

Female nurses can take care of male patients just fine.

Just as male nurses can take care of female patients.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Jan 28, 2016

Be a good nurse and you will be hired. In this day and age there are more men going into nursing than when I was much younger. Some stay in bedside nursing and others may have other goals, such as being in the ER, flight nurse or becoming a Nurse Anesthesist. We have a male nurse where I work. I work in LTC and most of our residents are in their 80's and 90's. We have two residents who prefer not to have him do cares, one is a female and one is a male. Those are usually ADL's so the CNAs do the cares on those two.

As has been mentioned, you could also be a nurse in the Army and then there would also be Vet clinics, hospitals and nursing homes where having a nurse who has served could be a plus to those patients.

Mebbid · Jan 28, 2016

I am currently a male RN on an alzheimers unit. Patients seem to react differently to male nurses when compared to females. The residents tend to listen to cues a little better and it's easier to redirect poor behaviors. On the flip side, there are females that just aren't comfortable with assistance from males.

If you're interested in the field, go for it. There's tons of different options out there for you.

Farawyn · Jan 28, 2016

I am currently a male RN on an alzheimers unit. Patients seem to react differently to male nurses when compared to females. The residents tend to listen to cues a little better and it's easier to redirect poor behaviors. On the flip side, there are females that just aren't comfortable with assistance from males.
If you're interested in the field, go for it. There's tons of different options out there for you.

You're kidding, right?

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

I am currently a male RN on an alzheimers unit. Patients seem to react differently to male nurses when compared to females. The residents tend to listen to cues a little better and it's easier to redirect poor behaviors. On the flip side, there are females that just aren't comfortable with assistance from males.
If you're interested in the field, go for it. There's tons of different options out there for you.

You're kidding, right?

Actually Far, he probably isn't kidding. I work LTC and see this all the time. I would guess it's a product of the era these folks grew up in where men worked and were respected for it and women were typically housewives or if they worked it was usually in the service industry where they got little respect. Since these elderly with dementia grew up only knowing women as housewives and waitresses that's how they treat us now. Any learning that occurred over the years about the expanding roles of women in the work sector have been forgotten along with so much more.

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

As much as I love the idea of more male nurses getting into OB/L&D if that's what they want to do, I'm trying to think how that would go over where I currently work (OB clinic). We see so many young girls seeking information about sex and birth control, and I just don't think they would be comfortable talking about it with a man. Or 50-year-old Mexican immigrants, who are trying to get information about their sex life or orgasms, something they've been too embarrassed to discuss their entire adult life. Or again, the teen who comes in because she has an unusual lady partsl discharge.

I really WANT to embrace the idea of a male nurse in ANY workplace, but sadly, I just don't know that it would work well in this situation.

RNator · Jan 28, 2016

Female nurses can take care of male patients just fine.
Just as male nurses can take care of female patients.

I agree. But do you not see any of this where you work?

RNator · Jan 28, 2016

As much as I love the idea of more male nurses getting into OB/L&D if that's what they want to do, I'm trying to think how that would go over where I currently work (OB clinic). We see so many young girls seeking information about sex and birth control, and I just don't think they would be comfortable talking about it with a man. Or 50-year-old Mexican immigrants, who are trying to get information about their sex life or orgasms, something they've been too embarrassed to discuss their entire adult life. Or again, the teen who comes in because she has an unusual lady partsl discharge.
I really WANT to embrace the idea of a male nurse in ANY workplace, but sadly, I just don't know that it would work well in this situation.

Your points are taken, I understand. When was the last time you asked a male patient if he wanted you involved in his intimate care? If you haven't asked that question, do you see the sad truth of this selective sensitivity issue?...This taboo behavior is just a terrible insult to men. When will anyone's perception change if we promote these ideas? How long will men just have to "deal with it" while everyone else gets accommodations? I am not pointing a finger at you Klone, it's the "belief" that produces the behavior. I'm not saying "hey who cares, I want to screen the teenager about her lady partsl bleed".... I am asking, can we grant everyone the same respect? Or are there only select groups and the rest can just deal with it?

RNator