Male and lazy?

[DapperRN]

I'm just curious. When I first started as an RN I worked in an ER of a smaller community hospital. I found a couple of the veteran nurses (female) didn't want much to do with me initially. I was one of two men working there at the time. After a couple of weeks one of these ladies finally said that she really enjoyed working with me and it was refreshing to work with a male nurse that actually worked. It wasn't until a while later that I learned that most of these veteran women truly believed that male nurses were lazy. I've worked various jobs since then and every now and then I come across the same, misconception (as I see it). So I'm just curious if anyone has come across the same label. I have never been called lazy by any of my colleagues (I've been called a few other things though.)

[Nurse_Wretched]

The best nurse I know is male! I acknowledge that he is a nursing superhero! Not only does he give exemplary care but he also holds the staff in high regard. Some folks are great nurses but they suck as coworkers due to their ego/attitude. A truly good nurse is also a good person who is nice to work with!

[deftonez188]

It must be something on our Y chromosome, a genetic defect. I only wonder what defect allows generalization of an entire gender based on a few individuals.

Lazy comes in all genders, colors, educational statuses, etc.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

first of all, let me say that as a seasoned nurse i have worked with excellent male/female nurses and not so good nurses and lastly, i have met my share of those that i have said to myself "they aren't worth 2 dead flies". therefore, what i'm trying to convey is that nursing is not excluded from those that lack the motivation and are there for the pay-check. however, i must say these male nurses which are in questioned, must be good at doing nothing at all and backing it up while charting, for the nm not to noticed their little scheme. having said that, i encountered a couple of individuals with the same work ethics and i gave them an ultimatum after several sessions of counseling; i advised them that it would be in their good interest to move on to another dept. or find themselves no longer needed for their services. needless to say, everything worked out at the end, and they are no longer employed in our facility. i'm a firm believer on giving 2nd.chances to those who deserve it, and letting go of the bad apples before the rest of the bunch follows their lead.

[sauconyrunner]

I think "Some Nurses are lazy" is a better statement, far more accurate. I can show you a lazy female for every lazy male and vice versa.

[amygarside]

I think there are as many lazy female nurses as male nurses. It just so happened that in your hospital, there was only one male nurse that can be seen, and unfortunately he was lazy.

[Ryan RN]

Males nurses usually give me less drama with receiving report in my hospital. Doesnt mean theyre less lazy though, but definitely less drama

[Asystole RN]

I can understand how this misconception can arise. More male nurses that I meet are very work orientated, meaning that they come to work to well, work. Male nurses tend to be less social and more task orientated. Overall I see male nurses completing the same work slightly faster than their female counterparts. Whether that male nurse chooses to spend his extra time relaxing or helping out the team I have found to vary significantly.

Granted this is a stereotype but it is something that I have seen often.

[Hygiene Queen]

Sometimes being more laid back (or at least more stoic) can be misinterpreted in this way.

That was exactly what I was thinking!