Interesting facts and observations.

[Ekklesia]

I am a nursing student and have been working as a Nurse's Aide for just over one year.

To date I have helped care for just over 500 patients.

A grand total of three (3) have specifically asked for a female aide to help with "personal hygiene."

However, I've had six family members say that their loved one would prefer a female, and after said family member has gone home, the patients all profusely apologized.

I have had around 15 patients (both male and female) inform me that they actually prefer a male (I don't ask why, so don't ask me).

The vast majority seem to be oblivious as to the gender of their caregivers, they seem only concerned that they are getting proper care. This is how it should be.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

This is how it should be.

Personally, I'm comfortable with male nurses and doctors for my care, but I would never express it. I know it really doesn't matter as both genders are equally qualified.

You must have a mind for facts and figures. Interesting that you know theses things. :)

[ewattsjt]

That is indeed how it should be.

I work in surgery. I have been told on more than one occasion; "female room staff only" per request. I don't mind if it is someone I know or work with but everyone else insults me and my professionalism by such a request. The facilities that cater to such requests also insult the professionalism of said employee. Would they cater to my demand of male staff only or only an Asian staff? I think not and that is what makes the difference.

If I ever need surgery, I will request a "male only room". I already know my facility can not provide it unless they use agency. I will then schedule my procedure at another hospital across town.

It will be done just to prove a point!

[muffie, RN]

true

but people are people

and they are entitled to their opinions

don't take it personally

[ewattsjt]

true

but people are people

and they are entitled to their opinions

don't take it personally

I realize people are entitled to their opinions but, I have to take it personally. Have you been thrown out of a room because you were female? When my employer tells me that I must sit in the back of the bus because that is what people think; I think of Rosa Parks.

It is personal because it is gender discrimination. No matter how you cut it.

[Draken]

I dont look like a male nurse.

I am in a RN program was a medic in the military and have not ran into this issue in a hospital yet.

In the military it is how free medical care would be (you have no choices) and everyone know this.

But recently at an orientation for the RN program i could see a female student who was in her second year was taking people pictures.

she proceeded to ask each male and female couples who is the student, she did this to the whole room.

Mind you im 5'10 240 and im not fat, im not cut but i am a very big guy and i dont mean height.

so she proceeded to take my wifes picture and ignore me, she asks her name to write the info down and my wife goes he is the student. they have 5 men in her class and there about 5 in mine but she was I guess intimidated by my looks and assumed I could not be a male nurse.

I am curious how it will affect me in my career, I am good looking and muscular not something you see in straight male nurses. every other male nurse i have met noit in the army seemed a little fem but this cannot be the rule can it be?

I currently work as an instructor for mentally disabled adults, pretty severly mentally disabled and I get looks when anyone new comes in the 4 other men who work there are 45+ very overweight I dont fit that mold but noone has said i cant do something because they dont feel comfortable. this field is mainly female also there are 19 females that work at this center alone.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I realize people are entitled to their opinions but, I have to take it personally. Have you been thrown out of a room because you were female? When my employer tells me that I must sit in the back of the bus because that is what people think; I think of Rosa Parks.

It is personal because it is gender discrimination. No matter how you cut it.

Well, yes, as a matter of fact.

I have been subjected to frequent gender discrimination.

[ewattsjt]

Sorry that I took this somewhat off topic.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

I have had occasional requests from family members that their mom/ wife be given personal care by females only. And then there was the LOL (who looked to be all of 85 lb soaking wet) who needed a boost up in bed and demanded we send the strong MEN in...(ya never hear that from the 250-300 lb pts we heft around all day everyday!)

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I dont look like a male nurse.

Mind you im 5'10 240 and im not fat, im not cut but i am a very big guy and i dont mean height.

so she proceeded to take my wifes picture and ignore me, she asks her name to write the info down and my wife goes he is the student. they have 5 men in her class and there about 5 in mine but she was I guess intimidated by my looks and assumed I could not be a male nurse.

I am curious how it will affect me in my career, I am good looking and muscular not something you see in straight male nurses. every other male nurse i have met noit in the army seemed a little fem but this cannot be the rule can it be?

Most males aren't 5'10 and 240 lbs., much less male nurses.

It's nice that you consider gay male nurses good looking and muscular, but I've seen plenty of good looking and muscular straight male nurses. I guess too it depends on what you mean by a "little fem", but by my definition, it's not the rule.

I'm not sure how such a straight acting good looking musclar man like you is going to fair in nursing, but my guess is that if you keep a professional, hardworking attitude that respects yourself, your patients, and your fellow coworkers, including the not-so-masculine ones you'll be fine. Concentrate on blowing us away with your skills and professionalism, hopefully people will look beyond the surface of your good looks and "big" non-typical male nurse body.

People judge a persons insides by their outsides, you're doing, everyone does. Try not to let it bother you when people do it do you.

[tgb3rn]

I dont look like a male nurse.

I am in a RN program was a medic in the military and have not ran into this issue in a hospital yet.

In the military it is how free medical care would be (you have no choices) and everyone know this.

But recently at an orientation for the RN program i could see a female student who was in her second year was taking people pictures.

she proceeded to ask each male and female couples who is the student, she did this to the whole room.

Mind you im 5'10 240 and im not fat, im not cut but i am a very big guy and i dont mean height.

so she proceeded to take my wifes picture and ignore me, she asks her name to write the info down and my wife goes he is the student. they have 5 men in her class and there about 5 in mine but she was I guess intimidated by my looks and assumed I could not be a male nurse.

I am curious how it will affect me in my career, I am good looking and muscular not something you see in straight male nurses. every other male nurse i have met noit in the army seemed a little fem but this cannot be the rule can it be?

I currently work as an instructor for mentally disabled adults, pretty severly mentally disabled and I get looks when anyone new comes in the 4 other men who work there are 45+ very overweight I dont fit that mold but noone has said i cant do something because they dont feel comfortable. this field is mainly female also there are 19 females that work at this center alone.

Ok, here goes,

There is no way that you can say that you do not look like a male nurse. There is no such "look".

I am 6'1", 240lbs. I look like one mean mother *****. I am not at all in real life though. I did 4yrs active duty in the Army durring DS, am a machanic, welder, and machinist--at least I used to be. I am about as far from what the general public thinks of when they think male nurse as it gets. I know where you are comming from with your statment--but ya gotta get over it, will only make it worse on you later. Our macho crap doesn't work all that well when 99% of our coworkers are female. Some will have no problem with it, some will have BIG problems with it. Trust me I know. I was the ONLY male in any of my classes and I am the first and only male nurse to ever work at my hospital.

Good luck in school

Tom

[Charity, RN, APRN]

I was the ONLY male in any of my classes and I am the first and only male nurse to ever work at my hospital.

Where are you guys working??!! At times I have gone entire 12 hour shifts and not encountered another female nurse. (okay, it was night shift, but still...) From ER, OR, PACU, ICU to the floors, giving or getting report from a guy is hardly an issue. Nobody 'round here thinks twice.