I am man, I wonder if I can be a nurse

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2004

... nurses are always women...

Simply not true. Lots and lots of males in this biz. (Also tons of females. :) )

Check out all the threads on this subject here.

Good luck!

Genista, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2004

I work with several male nurses. They are respected & appreciated for the professionals that they are. There were about 7-8 men in my nursing class of 30 students. It's becoming more common for men to work in nursing. If you want to do it, then go for it. :balloons:

Philo · Aug 4, 2004

In my view, nurses are always women. But I also heard man also can
be a nurse. I wonder if it is true. Is that embarrassed if man want to be
a nurse ? I do not want to be abused by doctors and other nurses.
What is the situation about man nurse in USA?
Thank you.

Come on this is the 21st century, women are doctors,lawyers,police officers etc.. My older quit being an electrician and became a hairdresser and now makes enough money that his wife doesn't have to work.

By the way not only are there male nurses they often earn a higher salary than us female nurses. You are going to always run into butthead supers usually there that way because they are inscure with themselves. Go for it.

Peace, Love, and Harmony

Philo

rollingstone · Aug 4, 2004

I'm a man. I'm a nurse. No problems here.

kbrn · Aug 4, 2004

I just graduated from nursing school and out of 46 graduates, 4 were male. I work in ICU and there are a handful of male nurses there as well. In my eyes there is no difference. If you are a good nurse, you are a good nurse no matter if you are male or female.

missmercy · Aug 4, 2004

Lots of male nurses -- lots of great male nurses -- LOVE to have them around with my psyc take downs, the frequent fallers, the bariatric pts -- muscle is a good thing! Of course, I must balance that with the fact that -- just like us gals -- can't say it's a good fit for everyone. However, if nursing is what you want to do -- gender shouldn't have to be an issue.

Pab_Meister · Aug 4, 2004

I'm sure you can do it like me and all the other male nurses what were so nervous like you are saying and besides there are others too.

missmercy · Aug 5, 2004

WOW! That got ugly fast!!! Personal issues aside -- male nurses are a special breed (as are the female nurses) they have to be able to be sympathetic and gentle as well as hard nosed, determined and able to take a lot of grief from all the docs, nurses, patients, families.....

I don't care what gender you are! It takes moxy to be a nurse!! And if you've got the gift -- use it!!!!

cddeselms · Aug 5, 2004

In my view, nurses are always women. But I also heard man also can
be a nurse. I wonder if it is true. Is that embarrassed if man want to be
a nurse ? I do not want to be abused by doctors and other nurses.
What is the situation about man nurse in USA?
Thank you.

Yes it is rare to see male nurse,but us females love to have a man on board. Not just because it is a change in view. Men help alot. Their are pt. that are hard to handly for the litttle nurses. When a man walks in the door the male pt. tend to behaive alittle better.

danemobile · Aug 9, 2004

It is reassuring to see that male nurses are becoming more common.

As a middle aged RN nursing student, half way through my perquisites, I was curious if any nurses or students had come across other males who have joined your ranks in mid career or mid life?

I'm considering moving from a 30 year career in electronic engineering which I started at age 16 to a career with more tangible emotional benefits.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

I work in ER and it is not rare at all to see a male nurse. There have been shifts when I was the only female there! One night all the techs, the nurses, the doc and the clerk were all male, except me...talk about testosterone! I loved the poster about being man enough to be a nurse. I think as more men get into the field we will continue to gain in benefits and salaries. Men in the ER are a good deterrant for obnoxious drunks and other folks who might get out of hand. I am all for men in nursing. I think it makes it better for all of us. As far as not getting respect from the docs or other nurses, I sure don't see it. If you are a good nurse you will be respected regardless of sex, age, race, creed or national origin. If you are a bad nurse, none of those matter either. I'd say go for it!

Edited to answer dane question above. As the economy continues to lose high tech jobs, I think we will see more men entering the field. I know in my area it is getting harder form people who don't have college degrees to get into nursing programs because there are so many degreed professionals returning to school. I think nursing appeals to a lot of people for its job security and it gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, and your own.