I quit nursing in my second year, feeling really bad, expressing my thoughts...

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I am male student who was studying nursing in Europe, I quit and i really feel very bad at the moment because i really enjoy helping people.

Why I quit? It was really difficult for me to adapt to a women enviorment in general. I know a lot of men who can feel very comfortable in a women dominated enviornment, not my case. I really try very hard to connect with the people in the unit but it was impossible. I dont have nothing in common with them.

Another thing why I quit was because everybody was treating me like shirt, some patients, doctors and even coworkers, no respect at all.

People are saying that the stereotype is disappearing and it doesnt exist anymore, in my opinion that is not true, what i percieve is that there is still an stereotype for men in nursing, is fading yes but slowly.

I felt that if I continued nursing I was going to feel bad in the future because in my country there is no carreer progression in nursing or very little carreer progression, you can expect a salary of 1.500-2000 Euro each month for the rest of your life that´s it.

Now I have to redirect my carreer to something else, i am coming back to computers maybe that is my niche. I will try to help people in another way maybe with robots and computers i can create something for people in need.

Thank you very much and it was an honour.

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Specializes in NICU.
People are saying that the stereotype is disappearing and it doesnt exist anymore, in my opinion that is not true, what i percieve is that there is still an stereotype for men in nursing, is fading yes but slowly.
Maybe in Europe, but the stereotype has disappeared in the US
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm sorry that you had trouble adapting to the nursing environment. I have several male nurse friends who have no issues with the environment and are excellent nurses.

Best of luck to you in your next male endeavor.

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I'm going out on a limb after reading your other posts, and say this issue appears to be more in your head than in reality.

I've worked with a lot of male nurses and none of them have ever said they felt like that...and this is over several states. Maybe you should be reflecting on *you*.

Either way, good luck.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Why I quit? It was really difficult for me to adapt to a women enviorment in general.
I am so sorry to hear this. Good luck with your future career endeavors, wherever they may place you.
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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Other than the prevailing male nurse stereotype, it's interesting to note that most of the 'stuff' is the same in the US ...

Career stagnation, lack of progression (unless you advance your education and move into higher level jobs) - check

Lowest rung on the heirarchy of health care professionals- check

Insufficient salary growth - check

Convenient whipping boy/girl for patients - check

We have a lot in common. Considering that we make up the largest group of health care professionals in most countries, why the heck haven't we been able to change this??? It's unsettling and depressing to say the least.

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If you were in the US, I would recommend that you join one of the armed services for a short enlistment. You would have an opportunity to learn from working with women who are adapting to working in a male dominated environment.

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If you were in the US, I would recommend that you join one of the armed services for a short enlistment. You would have an opportunity to learn from working with women who are adapting to working in a male dominated environment.

I understand both are difficult OK.

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Specializes in Emergency.

You're a sexist and frankly, I am glad you quit the profession. We need less whiners like you. Am I being tough on you? Yep. Only because you've complained about the very same thing before.

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Part of the reason you're having problems is likely due to your attitude. Be friendly, be a team player, and stop focusing so much on the fact that you're surrounded by women. Get over it.

To be honest, you don't sound like someone I'd want to work or be in clinicals with.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I am male student who was studying nursing in Europe, I quit and i really feel very bad at the moment because i really enjoy helping people.

Why I quit? It was really difficult for me to adapt to a women enviorment in general. I know a lot of men who can feel very comfortable in a women dominated enviornment, not my case. I really try very hard to connect with the people in the unit but it was impossible. I dont have nothing in common with them.

Another thing why I quit was because everybody was treating me like shirt, some patients, doctors and even coworkers, no respect at all.

People are saying that the stereotype is disappearing and it doesnt exist anymore, in my opinion that is not true, what i percieve is that there is still an stereotype for men in nursing, is fading yes but slowly.

I felt that if I continued nursing I was going to feel bad in the future because in my country there is no carreer progression in nursing or very little carreer progression, you can expect a salary of 1.500-2000 Euro each month for the rest of your life that´s it.

Now I have to redirect my carreer to something else, i am coming back to computers maybe that is my niche. I will try to help people in another way maybe with robots and computers i can create something for people in need.

Thank you very much and it was an honour.

After having lined up and read all of your threads, I think the problems were of your own making.

Women are people, too. I am sure that if you treated your female instructors and classmates as people who were equal in status to you, you would have had more respect. At least in the US, the "male nurse" stereotype is disappearing. If you believe that you were facing a stereotype for men, that was a good part of your problem. Another part is that you haven't learned that women are half of the human population, and are therefore people.

Computers might be a good niche for you.

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I truly am sorry for what you had to go through each day. But, seriously, you quit the nursing career because of that??? Have you tried different locations/hospitals/units? Maybe you should care less about connecting and actually grow as a professional nurse? The people you work with do not have to be your friends. But like I said, if that environment does not work out, try another.

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