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What's being a male nurse like? Is there lots of disrespect?

Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Honestly, I see far more respect from both medical professionals and non then disrespect.

I have been pulled aside many times and complimented on my choice of nursing.

Honestly, I see far more respect from both medical professionals and non then disrespect.

I have been pulled aside many times and complimented on my choice of nursing.

So people aren't rude to male nurses or anything? I was told that I'd probably be messed with a lot by rude people for being a male nurse. (Not that I care, I just want to know what I'm getting into cause I'm the kind of guy who likes planning.)

Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

I've never had a patient be rude solely based on me being male. I have received lots of compliments for my care and for being a male in the field. A male nurse may get resistance being in OB or L&D (Obstetrics and Labor & Delivery). There are cultures that aren't comfortable with men being the primary nurse. Acting professional and trustworthy, however, helps bring down those barriers and increases patient comfortability. Where have you heard that a male nurse is treated poorly or rude? If it's TV, know that TV shows are very fictional and overly exaggerated. Keep that in mind about TV shows as well as your sources of information.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Every now and then you run into a "nursing is a female profession" ball-buster, but, thankfully, they are few and far between. Most (male) doctors appreciate them/us, and most of the women appreciate the physical strength/presence male nurses represent.

At least this is what I have seen.

And as far as I can tell, old ladies LOVE us. Generally, I think elderly people like and, in many cases, prefer being cared for by men. I think they feel safer, especially those who've had falls.

Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

My favorite is " Since you are a male nurse, are you gonna become a doctor?"

One way I like to respond to non-medical people when asked about my profession...

"So, what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a nurse."

"A male nurse?"

"Obviously...so what do you do for a living?"

"I'm an accountant."

"A female accountant or just an accountant?"

Specializes in Trauma/Surgery ICU.

I've had a few patients who were hesitant about being cared for by a guy, but I show them that I can do it. From patients, my age has been this biggest issue. I'm 19 and they thing I'm just young and cute and sometimes that makes it difficult to come off professionally.

A few of my friends tease me about it, but I think they genuinely respect me. I haven't found that it's a career more fitting for women.

I'm a CNA in a nursing home, and I do occasionally get a resident who doesn't want me because I'm a guy. But thats just something that comes with the job and being a guy. Some people just aren't comfortable with it. But when other people find out I'm doing nursing, they always have something good to say about it. They know its a good profession to get into, and its full of caring people. Don't worry about any disrespect.

I'm a CNA in a nursing home, and I do occasionally get a resident who doesn't want me because I'm a guy. But thats just something that comes with the job and being a guy. Some people just aren't comfortable with it. But when other people find out I'm doing nursing, they always have something good to say about it. They know its a good profession to get into, and its full of caring people. Don't worry about any disrespect.
That's also something that comes with aged care.

As a female who has had male nurses take care of me in the past I don't mind at all. Heck I had a male tech do a stress echo on me and he was awesome. On the other side of the coin when I did my OB rotation for medic I felt bad since a lot of the guys had to do extra days due to the patients not allowing them to witness the birth. I've also had male nurses as co-workers in the ED and the OR. No one razzed them or gave them crap about being a guy in a female-dominated profession nor should they. Female-dominated doesn't mean that it's only suitable for us gals, just means there's more of us than you. GL with boards!

I've yet to have any patient comment on me in a negative manner. The ones you would think would have a problem due to old fashioned values (elderly, immigrants from other countries), all respect me and take my word for gold. The biggest thing I have to mention is to always act confident in what you say and do in front of the patient. Many times they are questioning everything around them, and you have a to be the rock and foundation.

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.

I've had one patients father (on ped's) ask why I didn't go to med school. He was from China and I think that it was largely a cultural thing, but I'm no expert on Chinese culture.

Other than that I've had nothing but positive experiences.

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