Male nursing student with power?

Nursing Students Male Students

Published

I'm new to this site and currently a year and a half away from my BSN. It seems with very few male nursing students we have so much power. In my clinical rotation we have 2 male students work the floor with 8 female students and everytime a question is to be asked it comes to the guys. If theres multiple people in the room the RN or MD will as me or my buddy not any of the girls every single time. Is it that they dont look trust worthy? I have asked other people throughout their classes and the women are noticing the same things. I don't know if it's just our class and the people that I've talked to or what. Not complaining though because I like being in charge but just seemed odd at first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Although nursing may be a female dominated field it does not combat with societal views of women v men. Men, in our society, are usually viewed as superior, more intelligent, etc then women. So it doesn't surprise me that this would take place even in Nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Although nursing may be a female dominated field it does not combat with societal views of women v men. Men, in our society, are usually viewed as superior, more intelligent, etc then women. So it doesn't surprise me that this would take place even in Nursing.

I fully agree with this. I was the only guy in my clinical and I did feel that my instructor placed a little more responsibility/praise my way. She did say that some of the other female students were very capable, but I did get this strange feeling that I got a little more attention. It made me uncomfortable TBH. I don't like attention or praise, so being the only male was bad enough. Add to that, my instructor treating me differently, was unsettling.

As soon as I realized what was going on I tried to blend into the background even more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I totally agree with you both! However I feel like it made me step by game up because people were so reliant on me. It made me feel more prepared for class and clinical's!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Same thing happens in the real world. Been a murse now in critical care for almost 5 months and doctors come to me over the woman who has been there 25 years. It's a sexist complex.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in my last semester of nursing school and I currently work as a CNA in a large, busy hospital; and I too am a "murse." I understand what you're saying about getting called upon in Q&A in nursing school more than the females, but I don't think it's because of any "power" element. I also believe that thinking this way could work against you in the long run.

I'm more inclined to believe that we men get called upon more often than women for two reasons. First, teachers and clinical instructors don't like to ask questions and not get answers. Obviously, they want to keep discussions interactive and dynamic for educational reasons. Males are thought to be generally less shy than females, and in the interests of keeping the discussions going, teachers may be more inclined to go to us first whether they are conscious of it or not. The second reason I believe this happens is because teachers know we are entering a profession where we will be the minority (national average is 6.5% male) and they may be calling upon us more to facilitate our assimilation into an all-but-entirely female culture. Along these same lines, this could also be a way to make us feel more comfortable and confident as the minority. Another possibility could be that they like the fact that more males are entering the profession and they want us to succeed.... It could be any one or combination of the aforementioned reasons but "power" is not one of them.

The word "power" has many implications but the one that comes to mind immediately in this context is what feminists have to say about it. Since there are several ways in which feminist theory and nursing theory overlap (i.e. social justice) its important to note here that the ways in which you talk about male power over females in nursing is pretty much in direct contrast to how nursing theory (and feminist) regard what "power" should be. It may not seem as though this will have any implications on you or your career but it very well may if you start talking and acting in the workplace like you have more power than most nurses simply because you are male. Remember these are core value systems in nursing and all nurses, whether they are aware of it or not, have adopted them in some way. Even if you don't act that way and just think it you'll come off ignorant. - I mean no disrespect here man I'm just offering my opinion. I'm not saying that what you and some others on this thread has no validity. But I am saying that unless you've been living under a rock the world's changing and we are quickly moving away from how our culture regards women in society. The industrial revolution was quite some time ago.

One more thing - besides all the twaddle I just gave you - In nursing (like any job) it's important for people to like you. If you want to advance in nursing you have to be able to build relationships. What you've said may come off as arrogant (not one of the most highly regarded male traits) and it won't work for ya. You'd be better off being humble and working on the traits that aren't always associated with men in our western society but are held with high esteem in nursing culture (i.e. being empathic, nurturing, good communication skills, altruism). This will help build relationships, advance your career, become more self-actualized, and give all of

us other "murses" something to shoot for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery/ cardio vascular/ Intensive care.

I compleatly agree with all of you in my nursing course here in ireland there are only 5 guys I my self was the only male student pre nurse and most of the MD's and RGN (Rgestered general nurses) would come directly to me on clinical in one of irelands busiest hospitals. I love it all being asked many questions keep you on your feet sometimes the questions are a little rough ie, a med lecturer asking me questions on rounds :/ but all good. In ireland the male porpurtion of nursing is only around 9-11% so just like you guys we are a minority. Only pity over here in Dublin we dont wear scrubs its like a yellow tunic :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Ha Ha Ha - I know that this is an old thread, but I wanted to point out that there is a body of very clear evidence that male students receive more attention than females in any co-ed class (even elementary school) related to science or math. It doesn't matter whether the instructor is male or female. Srsly, just Google it, and you'll find the research. A lot of it has been funded by AAUW. It is thought to be a direct consequence of pervasive gender bias in these fields.

Is this really something you want to take advantage of? If so, just steer into that skid. Keep in mind that it may come around to bite you in the nether regions if you do not actually excel. The perception will be much worse, because after all - you're MALE .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a good 'faker'

IE confidence, skills, etc.

However my nursing program hates all the nursing students the same. As evidenced by 30 question exams worth 15, 15, 30 and 40 percent of our grade.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care at Level 1 trauma center.

I agree and disagree with some of the above posts.... I feel as a male I am very extroverted and because of that I engage in more conversation with doctors, nurses, techs, ect. They come and find me just to show me "exotic" things and actively want me to hone my nursing skills. That being said in my clinical group my partner is a female and she is extremely out going as well and the same doctors and nurses that seek me out also take her under their wings and help her excel. I think it is all about showing initiative in the classroom and clinical sites. The students male or female in my class who do not ask questions and do not actively try to participate are not shown any respect at all, they are just left on the back burner and do not get any practice during clinical.

My clinical group consists of 15 people (12 females and 3 males), in all actuality there are 2 females and my self who are the "go-to" students. We are constantly drilled, put on the spot, called out, and are expected to operate at a high level. Personally I would not have it any other way because the two women in my group have already been asked to work in the ICU when they graduate and I have been asked my the ER director to work in the ER as soon as I graduate...

Clinical/Class time is what you make it! Male or Female if you show initiative they will (at least in my facility) respect you and help you excel! If you are lazy, timid, incompetent, ect. they will not show you any interest at all. Right or wrong this is life, you have to play the game to be a star ....just my two cents

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Male's can have a rough time when they become R.N.'s in a female dominated profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU.

Personally I hate it when people make fun of males for choosing to become nurses and I do not care for the term "murse". A lot of people who do not work in healthcare use it in a derogatory way. I will always stand up for my fellow male nurses and I work with a bunch of them who are excellent nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment