Male Nursing student question about pediatrics

Published

Specializes in school nursing.

I am starting my senior year in the fall in my BSN program. It is time for me to choose a specialty. I have had some experience with L&D, and have had a few pediatric patients in my psychiatric rotation. Several of my instuctors as well as RN's I have worked with in the hospital have told me that I should specialise in Peds because of how the patients react to my gentle nature and slow easy aproach to the little ones. I even have been pulled aside on two occasions by my clinical instructors and told that I had a "special gift" and should work to develope more experience in the area. I have a 6 year old Daughter that I have been both Daddy and Mommy to since her birth. However, I had also experienced an unfortunate "emergency meeting" with another instructor (not my clinical instructor, but one of the school staff who specialises in pediatrics). She pulled me aside to her office, closed the door and told me that it was "just creepy" that a man my age (43) expressed a desire to work with children. She says that I was "just lucky" on my L&D rotation that most of the new mothers let me care for them and their babys and I should stay far away from that type of nursing because an adult male in that practice is a lawsuit waiting to happen. What is the deal in the real world of the RN once I graduate? Who should I listen to when deciding on a specialty for my career? I do so love the little ones, and I share their sense of play. I make a game out of meds with them, as well as fixing all kinds of "owwies" and "ouchies" that require a nurse. Can an old man like me be a successfull pediatric nurse in the real world?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
I am starting my senior year in the fall in my BSN program. It is time for me to choose a specialty. I have had some experience with L&D, and have had a few pediatric patients in my psychiatric rotation. Several of my instuctors as well as RN's I have worked with in the hospital have told me that I should specialise in Peds because of how the patients react to my gentle nature and slow easy aproach to the little ones. I even have been pulled aside on two occasions by my clinical instructors and told that I had a "special gift" and should work to develope more experience in the area. I have a 6 year old Daughter that I have been both Daddy and Mommy to since her birth. However, I had also experienced an unfortunate "emergency meeting" with another instructor (not my clinical instructor, but one of the school staff who specialises in pediatrics). She pulled me aside to her office, closed the door and told me that it was "just creepy" that a man my age (43) expressed a desire to work with children. She says that I was "just lucky" on my L&D rotation that most of the new mothers let me care for them and their babys and I should stay far away from that type of nursing because an adult male in that practice is a lawsuit waiting to happen. What is the deal in the real world of the RN once I graduate? Who should I listen to when deciding on a specialty for my career? I do so love the little ones, and I share their sense of play. I make a game out of meds with them, as well as fixing all kinds of "owwies" and "ouchies" that require a nurse. Can an old man like me be a successfull pediatric nurse in the real world?

Hey royr...good for you for choosing pediatrics!!! I have worked in peds since leaving the "field" side of a paramedic job and I would NOT go back. I work at a Level I peds trauma center and have the opportunity to care for a wide variety of wonderful kiddos. I'm 35 with 2 kids of my own and...on a personal note...if an instructor would have mentioned to me what yours told you - I'd have told her to stick it up her @ss. :angryfire That comment she made was WAYYYY out of line. It's obvious she hasn't been employed in the clinical setting in quite a long time. The nurses I work with are mostly female- but the few males we have are awesome. I'm sure you're no different. Please don't let one ignorant woman's comment steer you away from peds. It's wayyy too rewarding a field. In the (almost) 12 years I've been here I've had the opportunity to save lives - and watch these kids grow up. How awesome is that?? Beats peeling some drunk buffoon out of his car and draggin' his sorry ass to the ER, I'll tell you that.

vamedic4 ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Only.

Royr-

Yes an "old man" like you can be a pediatric nurse!!

In no way is it creepy- and personally I would of documented that conversation and had a nice little chat with the head of the nursing department about how their staff are acting.. Its time for them to grow up- men are L&D, NICU, and PEDS nurses now...

I worked with a man in his 50's who was an LPN, on a peds med-surg floor. He was a big guy, but the kids loved him. As sweet as could be and one of the nicest people I've worked with.

Follow your heart, and if it tells you peds, then go for it. No one will look down on you for it, or think its creepy.

-Meghan

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Who should you listen to?? I can certainly tell you who to NOT listen to! Listen to your heart, to the positive comments you've recieved and think about your clinicals... what did the kids say to you? Their parents? Listen to them too. I bet they enjoyed you. I think men are perfect for peds... they're usually just big kids themselves ;) Actually, I'd like to see more peds nurses who happen to be male. A 30 y/o man is usually much easier for a "female nurse" to care for than a teenage boy. I think teenage boys would open up more to a man and accept teaching better.

I will say there is probably a certain small amount of personal liability, which is sad, but it's the way our society is. Men, unfortunately, have to be more careful about appearances and opportunities for people to invent themselves as "victims" Maybe that instructor (who I suspects thinks any man in nursing is "creepy") would rather you become a police officer?? They get falsely accused of assault, etc, too. It can happen to any man in any career of area of nursing. So just use the same common sense you use as a dad and enjoy nursing!

I know some of my homecare pts see "male nurses" at their tertiary childrens hospitals and our agency has a few. I worked with one, he had a great rapport with the kid and his family. I'm sure the kid was glad to have some time away from 24 hr supervision by "girls" and our "cooties"!!

Besides, it's very positive for the whole nursing profession if kids (little boys) get the opportunity at a young age to see that nursing could be an option for them! I still know many boys around 10ish who don't believe me when I say that I have friends who are nurses as well as men/daddies!! I usually throw in that they have nice cars, too, LOL!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a male Ped's nurse and love it!!! There are also many other males employed at our Ped's facility. The instructor was out of line when she said what she said to you. Follow your heart and dreams.... sounds like you would be a great nurse for kids. I find it challenging and very rewarding!!!

I also have little boys say "you can't be my nurse, men are doctors". I do my best to explain to them that you can be whatever you put your mind to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd say that nursing instructor was projecting her feelings and opinions. If peds is what you feel drawl to do NOT let her deter you, her opinions are not in line with the real world.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

Oh for heaven's sake, what load of hooey!!! That was her opinion, and a pretty biased/judgmental one at that!

On my unit (PICU) we have 2 male nurses with 1 more to come. They are excellent! Could take care of my daughter any day of the week. The best pediatric nurse I know is male - "frequent flyers" request him and so do their parents.

Follow your heart - if peds is you calling, you won't be nearly as happy if you work anywhere else. Enjoy working in the world of children!

Cindy, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i am starting my senior year in the fall in my bsn program. it is time for me to choose a specialty. i have had some experience with l&d, and have had a few pediatric patients in my psychiatric rotation. several of my instructor's as well as rn's i have worked with in the hospital have told me that i should specialize in peds because of how the patients react to my gentle nature and slow easy approach to the little ones. i even have been pulled aside on two occasions by my clinical instructors and told that i had a "special gift" and should work to develop more experience in the area. i have a 6 year old daughter that i have been both daddy and mommy to since her birth. however, i had also experienced an unfortunate "emergency meeting" with another instructor (not my clinical instructor, but one of the school staff who specializes in pediatrics). she pulled me aside to her office, closed the door and told me that it was "just creepy" that a man my age (43) expressed a desire to work with children. she says that i was "just lucky" on my l&d rotation that most of the new mothers let me care for them and their baby's and i should stay far away from that type of nursing because an adult male in that practice is a lawsuit waiting to happen. what is the deal in the real world of the rn once i graduate? who should i listen to when deciding on a specialty for my career? i do so love the little ones, and i share their sense of play. i make a game out of meds with them, as well as fixing all kinds of "owwies" and "ouchies" that require a nurse. can an old man like me be a successful pediatric nurse in the real world?

the children that you care for will be the ones who's opinions really matter, if they like you and their parents feel they can trust you then you'll be the right one for the care of their child.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also have three excellent colleagues, even over 40!

No, seriously, please do not fulfill this clichee that peds nursing belongs to the women! Hospitals, patients and their parents need males, too ;-)

In the hospital where I work, I can not remeber one single case of "lawsuits happening" in this context, parents respect and love the male nurses at least as much as the female ones!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Paed Ortho, PICU, CTICU, Paeds Retrieval.
I am starting my senior year in the fall in my BSN program. It is time for me to choose a specialty. I have had some experience with L&D, and have had a few pediatric patients in my psychiatric rotation. Several of my instuctors as well as RN's I have worked with in the hospital have told me that I should specialise in Peds because of how the patients react to my gentle nature and slow easy aproach to the little ones. I even have been pulled aside on two occasions by my clinical instructors and told that I had a "special gift" and should work to develope more experience in the area. I have a 6 year old Daughter that I have been both Daddy and Mommy to since her birth. However, I had also experienced an unfortunate "emergency meeting" with another instructor (not my clinical instructor, but one of the school staff who specialises in pediatrics). She pulled me aside to her office, closed the door and told me that it was "just creepy" that a man my age (43) expressed a desire to work with children. She says that I was "just lucky" on my L&D rotation that most of the new mothers let me care for them and their babys and I should stay far away from that type of nursing because an adult male in that practice is a lawsuit waiting to happen. What is the deal in the real world of the RN once I graduate? Who should I listen to when deciding on a specialty for my career? I do so love the little ones, and I share their sense of play. I make a game out of meds with them, as well as fixing all kinds of "owwies" and "ouchies" that require a nurse. Can an old man like me be a successfull pediatric nurse in the real world?

Dude, your situation says more about your supervisor than it does about you... If you have a desire, the strength and that certain "gift" to be able to work with kids then of course you can be a peds RN... OF COURSE, OF COURSE, OF COURSE. The reaction you had from that ignorant, narrow minded supervisor should be ignored... what is next? will she tell you that you cant work with women? perhaps you would take advantage of the mentally disturbed? C' mon ... (he says with sarcasm) everyone knows that us male nurses must be perverts!!!!!

DON'T GET SUCKED INTO STEREOTYPES. DON'T, DON'T, DON'T LET THIS STUPID, STUPID PERSON DEVIATE YOU FROM A CAREER THAT YOU ARE GIFTED IN. THIS MAKES ME SO MAD...:madface:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric PACU.

I can not believe anyone would say that to you. Men are a great role model in Pediatrics. It can be especially difficult for teenage boys (or even boys over age 8 or 9) to have a female nurse help them with certain things and I rely on the very few male nurses that we have around and they are wonderful. You are not "old" at 43 and being a dad is even better! Go for it and never work anywhere near that clinical instructor. She had no right to say that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Royr,

Your chosen field should not reflect the choices of one instructor. You were unfortunately exposed to a very narrow, closed minded nurse. These are the type of nurses that often cause younger (newer) nurses to leave the profession. Do not let her views color your choices. My advice....do what you want to do!!!!!

Out of the 60 nurses in my PICU 15 are male. To me and to the kids...they are a nurse. Do I think they are creepy??? Never. Some of the best professionals I have ever worked with??? Heck yes!!

And just as an aside...my husband is also a nurse and returned to school late in life....never give up your dreams.

Kidsrme

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion