Is being a Male nurse weird?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2011

I let that mentality stop me from entering nursing 20 years ago. That's a big regret. I could be sitting here with 20 years of nursing experience behind me. Instead, I am here now on the verge of starting my BSN trying to make it right.

Don't be like me!

labdad1234RN · Mar 10, 2011

What's stopping you from being a male nurse? It's a profession that is honored and fulfilling. I enjoy being a male nurse and have the respect of my colleagues. Yes, I do get some comments at times. Who really cares? Remember that actual "knights" were nurses in the middle ages. You will learn about that in your nursing history class. Just to let you know, I am also in a minority/ethnic group where most males in healthcare are physicians. I am mistaken for being a doctor but i quickly reply, that I am a nurse and am proud of it. Do not let the stereotypical perceptions and biases get in the way. Keep focused on the goal and become a great nurse!

kygavin · Mar 11, 2011

My RN BSN graduating class had about 1/3 males. I think we are seeing more males as nurses now and the stereotype of nurses only being women is just that - a steretype!!

systoly · Mar 11, 2011

Would you bug out if it was considered weird?

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 11, 2011

Re: Is being a Male nurse weird?

Absolutely.

But since most of were weird long before we became male nurses, we don't notice it.

czyja, MSN, RN · Mar 12, 2011

You have to be willing cross a gender barrier to be a man in nursing. Not every man has it in him to do this. Those that cannot deal with the gender role issues often wind up as paramedics or scrub-techs. Both are excellent professions, but they are not nursing. If you wanna be a nurse, you will just have to deal with it.

I find nursing to be a compelling and fascinating profession. It is a privilege to do it. I get so much out it that I really dont give a rat's rectum what gender biased people think about a me in nursing. NB - they are usually the same folks that have issues with women police officers....

johnny depp23 · Apr 20, 2011

As long as you are a confident guy--you shouldn't ever have to worry about being a nurse. My friends who are all bodybuilders think it's cool that I am male nurse, because I have job security and they don't! Women love male nurses too! If you can, try and hook up with a female doctor. You'll be set for life... hehehe

shodobe · Apr 24, 2011

I have been doing this for 34 years and really haven't had any issues with anyone I have ever worked with. Also, I wouldn't give a rat's a*s what they would think anyway. You only make it as wierd as you want it to be so move on, do what you want and don't worry what any of your co-workers think. Remember, only the patient's reaction really matters at the end of the day. Also, let's drop this male nurse, Focker crap. It doesn't do us any justice with this moniker hanging over our heads.

Rock, LPN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

A name change for men in nursing would be most helpful. How about, Registered Medic?

When you see a person who may have a beard and breastless, it would be redundant

to call him a "male" nurse, instead of nurse, or RN.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2011

A name change is stupid. No one changed the title "doctor" when women entered the profession. People just need to get over what insecurities they have about what others think.

If you have issues with men being called nurses, you clearly should not be one.

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2011

Retarded. I'm a man and I'm a nurse. Frankly being a man in nursing is easier than being a woman in nursing. I've found that both my male and my female patients prefer me over the female nurses, but that has more to do with my personality and care I provide than anything else.

caregiver1977 · May 1, 2011

Many male patients would feel more comfortable with a male nurse in some sensitive situations. It is not that they don't feel females are competent. Kinda the same reason bathrooms are divided by gender, you know?