Male Nursing Application Question?

[Flynner]

Please give me some ideas on how to tackle this:

At the University of _____, we are committed to building a superb educational community with students of diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and cultural backgrounds. What would you as an individual bring to our campus community and the nursing profession?

The nature of this question is tough because I am a white male. Should I focus only on my personal talents/traits and experiences as a nurse extern, and not really include any cultural aspects? I feel like I have many talents, and experiences to write about but I don't want to give a generic answer when the question is obviously asking for more.

Maybe I should focus on a nurse's compassion for humanity regardless of class, gender, race, age, etc... and how I embody this compassion.

I know that I am a male in a predominantly female field. So in a sense, I do bring diversity, but i feel like they are looking for a response based on cultural diversity rather than gender. I only say this because this school is a major proponent of affirmative action. I support affirmative action 100%, but as an American male of Irish decent, well, I'm not exactly a harbinger to diversity.

A lot can be said about males in nursing. What are some of the good things about men in nursing that I should include in the essay? How can I talk about benefits of gender diversity without sounding like I am overlooking the fact that they probably want more of a cultural reflection than anything else?

Sorry for the length. Hope you can help.

[llg, PhD, RN]

To preface my response: I am a white woman

I think you shouldn't "apologize" for emphasizing your gender -- because we need more men in nursing. Put it out there, up front (so-to-speak), and say that you will add to the culture within the nursing department by strengthening the male perspective. Do you have any "manly" hobbies or interests that you might mention and/or can you think of any lessons learned from those activities? For example, you could talk about teamwork learned through sports, or working to achieve goals, etc.

I think it is OK to say that a man might look at some situations or react differently than a woman and that a community is stronger if it includes a healthy dose of both male and female perspectives.

Then ... once that obvious topic is out of the way, mention a few other things that are gender-neutral. Again, you could look to your hobbies, interests, etc. and what lessons you have learned from them that you will be able to apply to nursing and strengthen within the nursing community. For example, a background in art or music could be incorporated into nursing.

In other words, since your gender is an obvious thing to mention ... address it in the beginning and "get credit for it." However, include some gender neutral things as well to show that you have more to offer than just a Y chromosome.

[Sapper41]

testicles... and with those a completely different perspective and outlook, at least you should.

But on a serious note: write about your skills, experiences etc. and dont give the dusty old because I care crap. For example I wrote about my experiences in the military which have nothing to do with the medical field.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

To preface my response: I am a white woman

I think you shouldn't "apologize" for emphasizing your gender -- because we need more men in nursing. Put it out there, up front (so-to-speak), and say that you will add to the culture within the nursing department by strengthening the male perspective. Do you have any "manly" hobbies or interests that you might mention and/or can you think of any lessons learned from those activities? For example, you could talk about teamwork learned through sports, or working to achieve goals, etc.

I think it is OK to say that a man might look at some situations or react differently than a woman and that a community is stronger if it includes a healthy dose of both male and female perspectives.

Then ... once that obvious topic is out of the way, mention a few other things that are gender-neutral. Again, you could look to your hobbies, interests, etc. and what lessons you have learned from them that you will be able to apply to nursing and strengthen within the nursing community. For example, a background in art or music could be incorporated into nursing.

In other words, since your gender is an obvious thing to mention ... address it in the beginning and "get credit for it." However, include some gender neutral things as well to show that you have more to offer than just a Y chromosome.

This is truly an excellent post! Thanks, llg.

[Flynner]

Great response. That's the context and encouragement I was looking for. Thank you.

[JustinTJ, ADN, BSN]

Embrace it. This is the only time in our lives that we are a minority as white males.

[Music in My Heart]

They said, "...diverse talents, experiences, opinions, and cultural backgrounds" There's so much more in there than simply ones cultural background. Write about yourself and what makes you unique.

I would not see to emphasize your gender; neither would I seek to downplay it. Simply write about yourself honestly and openly. If what makes you unique is your love of bow hunting, motocross, cage fighting, and other predominantly 'male' activities, write about. If your Irish background is a strong component of who you are, write about that.

Just be yourself, male and all.

[greygooseuria]

When I applied back in September, I emphasized life experiences and didn't even touch on my gender, except to say how I majored in sociology and my focus in that was "women and society".

[Flynner]

I want to thank everyone for all the help. I submitted my app. this afternoon. I'll find out in early March. /crosses fingers for 1.5 months

[Music in My Heart]

Best of luck, man.

[nrsman1]

I believe if a man decides to enter the field of nursing then it is given that he has enough compassion and boldness to do so. with that said I feel male nurses are just as compassionate, tender, and understanding as women, for nothing more than they deciding to go into nursing.