I'm not woman, hear me roar!

[humorous idaho]

Wow, I am so surprised by the lack of respect, and the ignorance that the old nurses give to male nurses. I mean it isn't like there is an underground movement by men to replace female nurses. So why the threatened attitudes? Why the harsh comments? Why the inability to adapt in a field that requires constant revision and critical thinking? Try recognizing the advantages, and stop tripping up on your own negative thoughts, please.

[nicunana]

Dear Humorous Idaho,

Maybe it's you? I have personally enjoyed working with several male nurses for whom I have the utmost respect. I am even the proud mother of one.

However, it has also been my major misfortune to have as a former boss the most arrogant, power hungry, sneaky individual who also happened to be male. The havoc that he wreaked on this unit has taken years to repair, & there is still some residual damage to this day. You know far bettter than I do which category you fall into. Perhaps these "older nurses" have had a similar experience and are just a little gunshy. I hope not, because that truly isn't fair to the majority of the outstanding men who have chosen the nursing profession. Try really hard not to lump us all together & assume that we're to blame, when maybe it's just your approach.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Perhaps you should stop referring to experienced nurses with derogatory terms.

Being a "male nurse" doesn't make you special. Being a nurse makes you special.

Excellent point :)

[KeithEMU]

I think that many people in all workforces can be competitive, but 99% of them will back down if you PROPERLY confront them... Actually confront is a bad word for it. It's actually negotiate. Learn how to set up win-win situations that are too good to pass up.

A good thing to do is learn good negotiation and people skills. There are tons of good books on the subject (and book on tape.) "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnige is a great place to start. "Getting to Yes" and "Getting Past No" by Roger Fisher, Bruce M. Patton, and William L. Ury are also great books. "The Complete Idiots Guide to Getting Along With Difficult People" by Brandon Toropov is good as well.

I think many have trouble comming into situations where there is high compitition where there should be teamwork instead, but you you don't help fix the problem, who will. That doesn't mean with an attitude, but by learning good and positive ways to communicate. We all tend to read tons on medical and health issues, as we should, but not much on people skills. It's good to know how to get along with people... and that doesn't mean sit back and take it, but to help change things in a very positive and uplifting manner.

[WOLFE, BSN, RN]

Hmmmmm.....

"old" as is in age or experience? It is a shame that you have experienced this...where I am at, we value all nurses for being excellent nurses, not because they are either male or female, young or old, novice or expert. Hope you have a better journey ahead.....