Male going into nursing (hopefully)

samirish · Apr 1, 2011

6% of RNs are men....why do women get so territorial about nursing? Male doctors don't get territorial about female MDs!

I dont recall getting territorial. However, I do recall stating a fact.

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Apr 1, 2011

He has every right not to be a fan of affirmative action, and he was just asking a question. Hiddencat, if you had a dream nursing job that was preferbly for a female, and you and one other female applied, and the rest were male, would you take your name out of the hat knowing your gender made a difference in the decision?

This is all he is asking. I'm sure he's heard from everyone he knows, including other nurses, that being a male helps in getting in the program. And I'm sure there are programs that wouldn't ADMIT it, but do look at getting males in when they can.

Come on, let's be serious. Goodluck to you OP!

So it's ok for you to benefit from affirmative action (because I'm not buying that you'd bother to ask about it if you really didn't care), but not for women and minorities, two groups that were routinely and legally discriminated against in the past?

rachelnrn · Apr 1, 2011

no, your gender will not be a hindrance. Your grades are where they should be and if you have a sense of what nursing is by working as a CNA. I loved being a CNA in long term care too. Good Luck to you! Go for it!!!!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2011

He has every right not to be a fan of affirmative action, and he was just asking a question. Hiddencat, if you had a dream nursing job that was preferbly for a female, and you and one other female applied, and the rest were male, would you take your name out of the hat knowing your gender made a difference in the decision?
This is all he is asking. I'm sure he's heard from everyone he knows, including other nurses, that being a male helps in getting in the program. And I'm sure there are programs that wouldn't ADMIT it, but do look at getting males in when they can.
Come on, let's be serious. Goodluck to you OP!

I have no problem with affirmative action, so I wouldn't have to back pedal and be defensive about questions I'd ask regarding whether I'd qualify for it or not.

What ruffled my feathers was that professions that have traditionally been for white men have often been very resistant to letting women and minorities in- hence affirmative action. I don't see the same reaction to increased men in the nursing world, which is good (we should be welcoming). For the OP on the one hand to hope that affirmative action tips the balance for him while on the other not supporting it for other minorities is inconsistent, to say the least.

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Apr 1, 2011

I know that men often have harder times in nursing school than women do. (There were several incidents, a couple even in local papers in my area about men being mistreated while in school. It's not an isolated incident.)

I agree with the concept, but not necessarily how it's being carried out, affirmative action that is.

All I know is that if I was looking to get into a difficult program, I'd want to know ALL of the factors involved. That's all he's asking. He doesn't necessarily have to agree with it, but if it helps him...... (Anything for this economy. Go for it)

He also may not like affirmative action for other reasons. It is helpful and harmful in a lot of situations. It is definately not a perfect solution to problems.

I have no problem with affirmative action, so I wouldn't have to back pedal and be defensive about questions I'd ask regarding whether I'd qualify for it or not.
What ruffled my feathers was that professions that have traditionally been for white men have often been very resistant to letting women and minorities in- hence affirmative action. I don't see the same reaction to increased men in the nursing world, which is good (we should be welcoming). For the OP on the one hand to hope that affirmative action tips the balance for him while on the other not supporting it for other minorities is inconsistent, to say the least.

thbos · Apr 1, 2011

"Nursing schools and other relevant groups need to create programs to recruit and retain more individuals from racial and ethnic minorities, as well as men—who make up just seven percent of all RNs—into the nursing profession." Straight from the IOM (http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health/Figure-3-3.aspx). Who knows what admissions take into account when making thier decisions. I assume they always accept the few outstanding students, but after that, any personal or political issue can make or break you. Remember William Kennedy Smith? He was in one med schoool, then was accussed of a felony crime, so he transfered to a different med school for a year, then he transfered to a 3rd med school after that. Think he got into 3 med schools just because he was qualified? Anyways, wanting to know if your gender etcetera is going to be a tie breaker is a reasonable question. My impression is that there is often a big pile of equivalent applications vying for the bottom half of the open slots. One way or another the committee is going to take some and pass on others. Can't help but be paranoid and assume the worst of these committees since they are so secretive.

edwindelahiggins · Apr 1, 2011

hiddencatRN,

Your posts have made it evidently clear that I've been written off in your book from the onset for being a caucasian male. To everyone else, thank you guys very much for your input, it is much appreciated.

belgarion · Apr 1, 2011

For the OP on the one hand to hope that affirmative action tips the balance for him while on the other not supporting it for other minorities is inconsistent, to say the least.

Why do nurses always seem to look for hidden messages in everything people say, as in "what is this guy really asking? Try rereading the post without trying to do a psych workup on the guy or reading between the lines. He never said he hoped his gender would be an advantage. That was just your analysis. He is simply wondering if, based on what others have told him, his chance of getting accepted is enhanced by his gender. Sometimes a person is really asking what they are asking.

thbos · Apr 1, 2011

I have no problem with affirmative action, so I wouldn't have to back pedal and be defensive about questions I'd ask regarding whether I'd qualify for it or not.
What ruffled my feathers was that professions that have traditionally been for white men have often been very resistant to letting women and minorities in- hence affirmative action. I don't see the same reaction to increased men in the nursing world, which is good (we should be welcoming). For the OP on the one hand to hope that affirmative action tips the balance for him while on the other not supporting it for other minorities is inconsistent, to say the least.

What professions do you mean? The hard sciences, chemistry, physics, and I believe engineering too, are extremely welcoming of women and minorities. No one wants to be forced to study and work with nothing but a bunch of nerdy guys, not even other nerdy guys. Men aren't stupid, they want women in thier classes and in thier work places. In my entire time in the sciences I've only heard of 1 professor, at harvard, who may or may not work well with women. I've never, in my entire career, ever heard or overheard a single scientist disparage the capabilites of women scientists. Anyways, whereever those evil white guys are sticking it to womankind, they aren't in the sciences.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2011

hiddencatRN,
Your posts have made it evidently clear that I've been written off in your book from the onset for being a caucasian male. To everyone else, thank you guys very much for your input, it is much appreciated.

I think my posts "have made it evidently clear" that you lost me when you rushed to make it clear that you don't like affirmative action while hoping it benefits you. It's the "ok for me but they can''t have it" attitude people have when complaining about affirmative action that bothers me.

I think, depending on the school, that there's a good chance your gender will be taken in to consideration. I also think that your gender wouldn't matter a whole lot if you didn't have the competitive grades to get your application attention.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2011

Why do nurses always seem to look for hidden messages in everything people say, as in "what is this guy really asking? Try rereading the post without trying to do a psych workup on the guy or reading between the lines. He never said he hoped his gender would be an advantage. That was just your analysis. He is simply wondering if, based on what others have told him, his chance of getting accepted is enhanced by his gender. Sometimes a person is really asking what they are asking.

Because we're all a bunch of women and that's how we do!

manusko · Apr 1, 2011

Oh, please.
You are a nursing school applicant, period. Talk to any other nurse who happens to be male and they will tell you that they HATE the "male nurse" designation. Seriously, how would you feel if a female applicant edged you out of another program.....say, the rocket scientist program that's traditionally male.....just because she's full of estrogen?
Just apply without flaunting your testosterone. You will either qualify for acceptance or you won't. It will totally depend upon your qualification that have nothing to do with your gender.

And you do not think that this happens? Many colleges look at gender and race when making selections.