Male Nurses.

HARN · May 28, 2003

I do believe that more men are coming into the the field of nursing. As far as men getting better pay or more advancement opportunities I don't think that is true. I would like to agree with the majority that one is awarded a job b/c they have earned it. I like what Beetlejuice said above about how we are objective of others around us....this is so true.....

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 28, 2003

Originally posted by Snakum
... and on that note:

I am 6'1" and 200, still rather muscled at 39, and I have tattoos that I intend to keep covered. I have often wondered how I'd be percieved as a nurse. I can just see myself walking into a young patient's room and have the family gasp "No way Jose!"

Does this happen? How is this handled?

Minh
(Soon to be Nursing student after YEARS in Engineering)

:chuckle Most of our patients look like you! Why in the world would you go into nursing after being an engineer? Do you realize what your pay-cut will be????

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 28, 2003

Originally posted by FutureRNMichael
To stroke the ego, if nothing else.

I know that was a tongue-in-cheek statement, but watch the ego. The "male ego" has no place in nursing. We need to let it go and stay open to learning from females and taking direction from females.

Where I work men don't make better money or get promoted just because they are men. We have one male manager, and one male nursing supervisor out of dozens of females in leadership (including the chairman of the hospital). I like that just fine.

funnygirl_rn · May 28, 2003

Originally posted by atownsendrn
Plus a little testerone in all that estrogen sometimes makes things flow more smoothly.

DITTO!! I think having MORE men in nursing could possibly decrease some of the nastiness/cattiness that we see on a daily basis at work. Just my two cents.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · May 28, 2003

I SO agree with the above statement! Men don't sit around talking about each other like dogs like women do.

funnygirl_rn · May 28, 2003

Originally posted by lgflamini
I SO agree with the above statement! Men don't sit around talking about each other like dogs like women do.

Concur!

funnygirl_rn · May 28, 2003

Originally posted by lgflamini
:chuckle Most of our patients look like you! Why in the world would you go into nursing after being an engineer? Do you realize what your pay-cut will be????

Hee hee....I am curious too..why go into nursing after engineering?!? :confused:

FutureRNMichael · May 29, 2003

By no means did I intend to make this a controversial post. Everyone gave me what I was looking for as far as opinons on the subject go.

Interesting to know. I still have along time before I begin Nursing school but it is nice to know what to expect anyway. How myself as a Male Nurse will be recived.

I am thinking though, since I am not 100% Homosexual, will I be a good Nurse? I have my doubts.

BTW - The Charge RN at work told me(Basically insinuating) that Males Nurses will always have a good job waiting for them. Just reading through an.com did I come up with other thoughts along the same lines.

Rustyhammer · May 29, 2003

Originally posted by FutureRNMichael
By no means did I intend to make this a controversial post. Everyone gave me what I was looking for as far as opinons on the subject go.

Interesting to know. I still have along time before I begin Nursing school but it is nice to know what to expect anyway. How myself as a Male Nurse will be recived.

I am thinking though, since I am not 100% Homosexual, will I be a good Nurse? I have my doubts.

BTW - The Charge RN at work told me(Basically insinuating) that Males Nurses will always have a good job waiting for them. Just reading through an.com did I come up with other thoughts along the same lines.

Ok! Now please hear this.

It is untrue that men who are nurses make more just because they are men.

The remark implying that since you are not a homosexual you will not make a good nurse is WAY OUT OF LINE and an apology is in order.

Good nurses are compassionate, hard working, ethical, team players, constant learners, intelligent, selfless people of all walks of life.

If you do not meet the criteria then you'd best try for another field!

Lets NOT let this thread get ugly as the last one did.

-Russell

EE2NP · May 29, 2003

I guess I can't resist weighing in on this one.

Why would an engineer want to become an RN? I cannot speak for anyone else, but here's my situation.

I have been an engineer for nearly thirty years. I plan to retire in about six years. Between now and when I retire I plan to go back to school with the goal of becoming an advance practice nurse......probably an NP. My reasons are basically simple.

First, I would be in a position to give something back. I have been blessed over my working career and I would like to be in a position to help others.

Second, the nursing profession offers anybody, male or female, a very desireable, in demand job opportunity vitually anyplace in the country. Talk about job security........if the numbers are correct there will be a nursing shortage into the hundreds of thousands over the next few years. I'm fortunate in that I have worked for the same employer for over twenty years, but let me tell you, there's thousands of engineers who have been laid off over the past few years who could speak volumes about job security. Just ask some of the aerospace folks or dot com people.

Sometimes you can be so close to the forest you don't see the trees and I sometimes wonder if some nurses don't end up taking for granted how in demand they really are. And, when you consider how many baby boomers will be flooding the medical system in the next few years.....well, I rest my case.

Third, nursing would be a great way to supplement someone's retirement income. In my case the nursing profession will do just that regardless of where I choose to retire. Being retired, it might be fun to spend the winter months of the year someplace warm and then go north during the summer. Yeah! That works for me. (Also, I think that between my retirement and my nursing job I'll be making more per year and working fewer hours:)

I could go on, but I would encourage any engineer, and especially men, to enter this noble profession.

One more thing, being a six foot, 200 pounder, married with five kids and four grandkids.................nobody has even batted an eye when I tell I want to become a nurse........they know better. (They might get an enema...hehe):roll

So let's go guys. Let's bring our previous professional experiences to this great profession and make it better for everyone. Alright, I'm done preachin' so I'll say the "Amen".

Walt

J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS · May 29, 2003

So all good male nurses are homosexual? Is this what you mean? This is ridiculous and if this is how you think I would suggest pursuing another field. I am male, but I am not homosexual, so does this mean I cannot be a good nurse. I have been a nurse for over 10 years now, and I am a good nurse, well liked by my co-workers and patients. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with being a good nurse.

Sorry you think this way. Your private life should not enter the work area.

hobbes · May 29, 2003

Originally posted by EE2NP
I guess I can't resist weighing in on this one.

Why would an engineer want to become an RN? I cannot speak for anyone else, but here's my situation...

Walt

Well said Walt. I was going to weigh in on this but you said it all. I'm coming from a software engineering/programming background and all of your points are right on.