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I've heard there is a "glass elevaltor" for male nurses. My question is, do you think its easier for a new grad MALE NURSE to find a job that a female one? Also, I know that nurses can be very agressive with new nurses on a unit, does a MALE NURSE have a target on his back as a n00b in the unit especially as a new grad? I'm trying to decide between RT and ADN school right now (i've been accepted to both) and this is one of my concerns as a potential future nurse.
OK, here is my 2cents worth...if you can handle lots and lots of snot go RT or if you can handle lots and lots of poop go ADN. I have not read all the previous posts, but I think shadowing each type of professional is worth investigating to see which position works better for you. Unfortunately there is a pay bias toward women in general, men get paid more nation wide and nursing is not exempt.
OK, here is my 2cents worth...if you can handle lots and lots of snot go RT or if you can handle lots and lots of poop go ADN. I have not read all the previous posts, but I think shadowing each type of professional is worth investigating to see which position works better for you. Unfortunately there is a pay bias toward women in general, men get paid more nation wide and nursing is not exempt.
I realize pay is not always equal, and thats not fair. I don't want any "special" treatment based on my sex, I just want to go where there would be a better likely hood of being hired. I having shadowed RN but I have shadowed RT. My origional plan was to go RT and transition to RN within the next few years if necessary. I heard from several sources that there was a "need" for male nurses and I felt I would be happy in thad career. I brought the question to theses forums to try and get a large sample of opinions. I accept some blame for not clearly stating my question, but I have been mostly met with harsh words, opinions, and judgement. Some here were able to understand my question and offer sound advice and opinions. I greatly appreciate your efforts to help me. At this point, most posters are not even reading the posts in the thread and just posting ignorant negative comments. You show a lack of patients and understanding, two things I'm sure are required to make a GREAT nurse....male or female.
ChemistrySux (funny name!): sorry you are disappointed with responses to your original post. Unfortunately, this is typical nursing attitudes; hence my earlier post about how much I (and most of my co-workers!) prefer working with male nurses. I have had several different careers in my lifetime, and nursing has some of the worst attitudes I've ever dealt with than in any other previous job.
I think it is good to know that going into nursing, but I would not let it stop me! You just have to have thick skin and not let yourself slide down into negative behaviors, attitudes, and habits. Stand tall, act like a professional, and do your best and you will outshine the rest in no time--male or female.
Also-- There are so many more avenues and opportunities in nursing; I think more than in RT. Of course, I've never been an RT so I could be just ignorant! But I love nursing for many reasons, mostly my patients and the fact that I feel I can be a positive influence on other nurses as a charge nurse and preceptor. I know that I have lots of career options, even in this tight job market, because of my experience, aptitude, and good reputation in my area. In your case, I do not think being a male will slow you down getting hired in nursing, especially if you take all the things that just ticked you off in some of the earlier posts and act the opposite of that!
ChemistrySux (funny name!): sorry you are disappointed with responses to your original post. Unfortunately, this is typical nursing attitudes;
Hmmmmm..I wonder how guys would feel if a woman posted the same question to them in male dominated professions. But we don't have to worry about that happening, do we?
Hmmmmm..I wonder how guys would feel if a woman posted the same question to them in male dominated professions. But we don't have to worry about that happening, do we?
I worked in medical sales for 12 years which is male dominated...if you called the majority of them shovanistic, elitist, and self absorbed.......you'd be right.
Just like in any career a good mix of males and females offers a a good variety of skill sets and perspectives. As a male RN I can head some problems off in the ED before they become serious issues with my size. Other times a female can come in with a gentler tone and succeed where I fail at calming someone down. I like having women around where I work and all of the women say they enjoy having males around.
I really like your post. You are so right in pointing out the differences that our gender can make in pt care, as well as for the morale of the unit.
Male nurses tend to have a self-deprecating sense of humor and appreciate sarcasm and friendly jabbing. (Please don't torch me for saying this, y'all. I am only sharing what I have experienced on the whole.) Sometimes sarcasm and friendly jabbing are not exactly welcome with female colleagues. For example, I told one of my female peers that I noticed that she was losing weight, and asked if she was working out a lot. She TOTALLY torched me for saying this, replying, "Oh, so you think I was just a fat lazy pig before?". I didn't know how to respond.
I commented on the new bulkiness of a male peer, and asked him about his exercise regimen. He replied, "I was stopped at the airport for carrying concealed weapons. You can't exactly hide these guns!", he said while kissing each bicep. I fell out laughing at his corny antics.
One of the anesthesiologists that I work with will actually call me into his room when his pt is emerging from anesthesia. He thinks that a soothing voice will awaken a pt more than a commanding voice. I am embarrassed that he does this, because it puts me on the spot. One day, a male resident was speaking loudly right into the ear of a pt that was not emerging very quickly. Dr. X asked that I "show his resident how it's done". As I was secretly cringing, I did as Dr. X asked and spoke soothingly to the pt...aaaannnddd he emerged. This is a case in point of how gender difference comes into play when caring for patients.
I worked in medical sales for 12 years which is male dominated...if you called the majority of them shovanistic, elitist, and self absorbed.......you'd be right.
I've never worked in medical sales, so I have to accept your comments. But I'm sure you can find those attributes in many other professions as well, and I'm sure even some females have acquired them. :)
I've never worked in medical sales, so I have to accept your comments. But I'm sure you can find those attributes in many other professions as well, and I'm sure even some females have acquired them. :)
Oh yeah. You are spot on. Medical sales tend to be "good ol' boy networks". However, the female reps that I have met have charm, wit and knowledge that break the mold.
billyboblewis
251 Posts
I dont believe sex is an issue in the hiring of nurses in Louisiana at this time. Jobs are few and far apart and it is every 'man for themself'.