male entering the NICU ward... sigh

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Hi there, I am about to graduate with my associates degree in nursing (thank God it is almost over) and have been hired to work in the NICU at the hospital near where I live. I am VERY excited about this fact but, I am also just a little bit worried because of the fact that I feel like a testosterone canoe in an estrogen ocean. My question to the general population is how do you as future and current nurses feel about a male entering such a female dominated area. Do you feel that a male can be just as effective with mother's and children? Lastly, what kind of situations do you think I should prepare for regarding fathers? (I foresee the fathers having more problems with the fact that I am a male than the mothers)

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this post.

Max

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Specializes in Hospice/Palliative Nursing.

:yeah:Congrats Max!!!

When I had my son 18 years ago, there was a male nurse working in the NICU. He was THE most wonderful nurse!!! I will never forget him.

He was a big guy, very tall, and I can remember watching him with those tiiiiny little babies and thinking WOW he is so awesome! I think he helped the Dad's be less "afraid" of the babies, because of his confidence.

Best of luck to you and don't worry, you'll do just great!:up:

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a testosterone canoe in an estrogen ocean? lol

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I'm not a nursing student yet, but I am a mother of 5 (soon to be 6) little ones. As long as you can be sensitive and respectful to the mother's feelings, I'm sure you'll do great. A lot of times new dads feel like a bull in a china shop when it comes to taking care of their new babies, so seeing a man taking care of their tiny little child may actually give them a lot of confience in their own abilities. Most parents would agree that having a nurse that is good at their job is a million times more important to them than gender. Good luck to you!

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We also had a nurse who was a man during our NICU experience and he even assisted me with breast feeding my son. Although he never had and never will do it himself he still was sensative and patient and knew better than I did, at that time, what to do! Good luck to you!

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Specializes in PICU/Pedi.

Don't even worry about it. My twin daughters spent 5 weeks in NICU and had several male nurses and a male NP. They were all great. One was really good. He wasn't a floater like the others - he really wanted to work in NICU. He was so cute with the babies, and he and another nurse talked about how they almost liked it when a parent didn't show up to visit their baby, because then THEY could cuddle the babies! I think you might make some of the dads more comfortable, and I think the male nurses sometimes just give you a different perspective. Good luck!

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Hi there, I am about to graduate with my associates degree in nursing (thank God it is almost over) and have been hired to work in the NICU at the hospital near where I live. I am VERY excited about this fact but, I am also just a little bit worried because of the fact that I feel like a testosterone canoe in an estrogen ocean. My question to the general population is how do you as future and current nurses feel about a male entering such a female dominated area. Do you feel that a male can be just as effective with mother's and children? Lastly, what kind of situations do you think I should prepare for regarding fathers? (I foresee the fathers having more problems with the fact that I am a male than the mothers)

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this post.

Max

Hi Max

I'm a future nurse w/a definate interest in the NICU.

What I've seen so far in my clinicals is that moms & dads are comfortable w/male & female nurses handling their children as long as the nurse (or in my case student nurse) appears comfortable.

I was in a pediatric fast track the other day and I thought some of the parents might be uncomfortable w/me as a student with their children but they were not. They spoke to me just like they did the "real" nurses and these were some very sick children indeed. I think it's because I was comfortable with what I was doing though and that puts them at ease too. Now if I had walked in there stuttering, tripping over things, and shaky hands while trying to start an IV on their kid I'm sure they would have wanted me OUT of there.

I think males are not only needed but wanted. Children of all ages tend to adore men. I also think males can bring a sense of security to tiny people with larger hands holding them. It's also good pt teaching/demonstration for a first time father seeing another man handle the very smallest and fragile of beings w/ease.

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My second son spent 3 days in the NICU and his best nurse was male. Since I'd had a C-section, I wasn't able to get to the nursery right away. My husband was the one that spent most of the first day and night with our boy. He really appreciated having a male nurse to talk to.

Good luck.

Huny

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Specializes in NICU.

Our best charge nurse is male. He's the kindest, most compassionate person I know, and families LOVE him.

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Specializes in Medical.
a testosterone canoe in an estrogen ocean? lol
:yeahthat:
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I would like to take the time to thank you all for responding to my questions. I am really looking forward to my time in NICU and the experiences that I am sure to go through. Your words of encouragement and advice are welcome at this time when I am beginning my career.Thank you all so much.

Max

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As a female NICU RN...it is really nice to see a canoe head into the choppy waters...so...welcome, and dont worry...it is a nice change in pace for the parents too :)

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