How do people feel about male nurses?

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I'm 20 and a NJ National Guard Infantry men and I'm think about go to school for my RN. I was wondering is there a Demand for male nurses, and how do male nurses fit in this field. I enjoy helping people and connecting with them and I feel like this would be a good career for me.

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

Right now I work in a school and HH

In the hospital? Not at all.

I'm sorry that you do. It doesn't have to be like that.

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Specializes in ED.

I work in a rural ER, and am a male/minority. It's difficult when I have to decide whether to remain "liked" or stand for what is right...sadly I have chosen to not engage. Well I have engaged ever so delicately, and have received no captive audience because of this...thanks

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Female nurses can take care of male patients just fine.

Just as male nurses can take care of female patients.

I never said that they couldn't.

That said, as RNator alluded, there is a double standard. A female that requests same gender care, particularly if intimate exposure is involved, is almost always accomodated without comment, while males do not get the same consideration.

I have no problem with this type of request being accomodated if it makes the patient more comfortble. The point I was making is that the overwhelming ration of females to males in nursing makes this difficult to do for male patients, and an increase in the number of male nurses would make this option more viable for male patients as well.

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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.

This is a good point, and I don't disagree - but don't you suppose that there are similar subjects that males would be just as uncomfortable discussing with a female? It cuts both ways......

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Hey Natgaurd, I'm a male CNA in critical care at a medium sized trauma center, studying nursing on an accelerated track at age 46. While it took some time to get a job as an aide with no experience, I've since enjoyed a lot of appreciation from co-workers, not least for my ability to lift the full body weight of heavy patients during transfers. As others have said, there is a demand for good nurses period, whether male or female. Intelligent hard workers who bring something to the table are appreciated. That said, I think there are some forward-thinking unit managers who want to employ more men on their units to take advantage of a diversified workforce. Don't count on being a shoe-in just because you're male though. I think the main advantage any nurse or aide has is a critical thinking ability, and that is not gender specific; however, it is helpful to have both males and females available to accommodate different patient preferences. I would recommend being an aide at a hospital before or while studying nursing, as you get to work closely with nurses, and it gives you an idea of what the job will be like, AND if you impress them you'll get a job there after school. It's working for me.

Before I chose nursing as a profession, I did what I never thought to do my first time around in college. I did a test pretending I already had the degree, and searched the internet for jobs. Lots of hits... good career choice.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

There are a lot of people saying that being male means nothing in nursing. I'm a male student nurse and I can say that is not true. Although there are no listings for a "Male Nurse", thats because its illegal or at least extremely frowned upon to hire based on gender, however, being male can be a plus in many different facilities. In my experience you are chosen to be the one to lift and move patients and heavier equipment which I think is a pretty big part in nursing. But I have also received some backlash too. Some patients don't feel comfortable with a male caring for them, and thats just preference just like whether or not you like mushrooms. During my OB rotation I was not allowed to go into patient rooms alone regardless if they were okay with it or not. This happens on the occasion but you just ignore the fact and move on.

That all said I am incredibly happy with what I do. Most of the time I have no problem and people are happy with my care and work! I actually even fell in love with NICU and hope to become a neonatal practitioner. So I say go for it man! Help bring some diversity to the profession just like women are doing with doctors! But, like the previous posters have said, before we need male nurses we need to have good nurses.

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My husband and I are both RNs. I work in wound care and he in emergency. There's a huge demand for nurses, period. If you're interested, try being a CNA first to see if you can handle the environment and the work itself. If you like it and think you can handle more responsibility, then get into a nursing program. There's so much more to do as an RN, but no nurse is above cleaning up a code brown or sitting with a confused patient. Having started out as a CNA helps to understand more roles than just your own. As far as the whole "male nurse" business, I do feel that my husband is treated differently than female nurses. Most people's reactions to him tend to be stronger, whether positive or negative. Patients tend to either REALLY like him or REALLY dislike him. Some nurses feel threatened by a male nurse, some are a little too excited to have a male nurse around. Same with doctors, techs, phlebotomists and all other hospital personnel. It's almost as if there's little middle ground for him, no indifference. Men are much more widely accepted in the nursing field these days, in fact we have several male friends who played college football with my husband who are now also nurses. Good luck!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

As long as you can do your job safely and efficiently, male/female doesn't matter

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

I like working with men also.

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In the same way that there are cultural differences that we are taught to embrace, there are also gender differences that shouldn't be ignored. Personally, L&D was the worst part of school, I never really felt welcome on the unit, and it was the attitude of the female nurses that made me feel unwelcome. We are not the same, and trying to force our patients and society to accept that is silly. Its better to be understanding and flexible, in my humble opinion.

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Specializes in TBI and SCI.

I have only seen a request for a male nurse in home health jobs.

You are 20, please don't think jobs are sexist and only run by a "specific gender"

fashion- people tend to think women must be the designers we like girly things? Men don't design women stuff.. Wrong... Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli.... Men who are top in their field of work.

Dont think certain jobs are only for men or only for woman. My gynecologist is a man and he's awesome.

I think if you like nursing, go for it!!!

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In the area where I live, male nurses are sometimes treated with a tad bit more respect by physicians from certain foreign countries, as well as some elderly patients who conclude that any man in scrubs must be a doctor.

I'm a travel nurse who has worked from NYC to Atlanta to Texas to San Fran and I've noted the same thing, it may not be just where you live TheCommuter.

Another interesting anecdote is that UCSF did a study a few years ago showing statistically male nurses earn an average of $5000 more a year over female nurses. Actually the pay gap can be even greater in certain specialties including a difference of pay up to $17,000 if you're a male CRNA vs a female.

In 2013 10% of nurses were men with a projected outlook for it to grow much more. I get guys all the time asking if I think they could jump out of their career as a fireman, electrician, manager, construction worker, teacher etc and come over to nursing.

Here is the article by UCSF in case you're interested.

Women dominate nursing field, yet men make more

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